Website Applications?

[KristinsHomeCC]

I am starting to become very frustrated with my available spot and taking on a new client. I get very short intros from potential DCF's, where when I'm going into the interview, I only know a very small amount.

I'm the kind of gal to search your name on facebook and check you out before I meet with you in my home. I want to get a feel for someone before I meet them. That's just the way I am. I find some people are very short and just went to get their foot in my door to look around and that is not okay with me. This is MY business, and I only have 5 slots to have good relationships with families. I don't want to waste my time taking on a child only to have to terminate them because something didn't come up until a few days afterwards. I also find that people want to "stop by and check the place out" after work, and I'm also not okay with that. I like to bake cookies, I like to have things ready to distract kids. I want to know on Wedsneday, blah blah time, you'll be here. There's no stopping by buddy, sorry.

Oh goodness, ANYWAYS -- I am thinking about putting an application on my website. This will get their names, occupations, schedules etc. other info that I want to know before I meet with them, again - to not waste anymore of my time!

Does any one else do this? I want to be able to say,

"Okay great! Before we schedule an interview, would you mind hopping over to my website and filling out the online application? We can go from there!"

I use free website from WIX and it allows you to put online forms and such on it.

[LysesKids]

I am starting to become very frustrated with my available spot and taking on a new client. I get very short intros from potential DCF's, where when I'm going into the interview, I only know a very small amount.

I'm the kind of gal to search your name on facebook and check you out before I meet with you in my home. I want to get a feel for someone before I meet them. That's just the way I am. I find some people are very short and just went to get their foot in my door to look around and that is not okay with me. This is MY business, and I only have 5 slots to have good relationships with families. I don't want to waste my time taking on a child only to have to terminate them because something didn't come up until a few days afterwards. I also find that people want to "stop by and check the place out" after work, and I'm also not okay with that. I like to bake cookies, I like to have things ready to distract kids. I want to know on Wedsneday, blah blah time, you'll be here. There's no stopping by buddy, sorry.

Oh goodness, ANYWAYS -- I am thinking about putting an application on my website. This will get their names, occupations, schedules etc. other info that I want to know before I meet with them, again - to not waste anymore of my time!

Does any one else do this? I want to be able to say,

"Okay great! Before we schedule an interview, would you mind hopping over to my website and filling out the online application? We can go from there!"

I use free website from WIX and it allows you to put online forms and such on it.

I actually have a contact form on my website... it asks all the basics, inc day & night phone #'s. It states that I will call them within 24 hrs to chat (phone call is first interview) - I already know their names, age of baby, hours requested & when they want to start. A lot of times the comment section even holds where they work (I figure it out by email addresses also). My home page also states what openings are available (if any) or when will be coming up

I figure if they read the site in full, they already know rates, and policies, so if they send the contact page we might be a good fit.

[Mike]

I'm not in the business yet, but for me, a website will be the starting point as well. Nothing wrong with exchanging some information before the interview.

[thrivingchildcarecom]

I think that is a great idea! I have a contact form on my website which gathers some info about a potential family. Last year I also began the process of placing my application, handbook and enrollment forms on the website too. Not only is it time saving, but also paper and hassle saving for me too.

One more thing; you might consider some sort of video tour so the parents can get an idea of your child care and want to schedule an actual visit. You can also set the times and days for your actual tours.

[Mike]

One more thing; you might consider some sort of video tour so the parents can get an idea of your child care and want to schedule an actual visit.

Great idea. I never thought about that for my site. I will have to do that once I get located and set up.

[lovemydaycare0912]

I don't currently have a website. What I do is ask general questions and also ask potential clients fill out an enrollment app. I usually just send it to their email.

[Blackcat31]

I do all screening before I am even willing to set up an interview.

Sometimes it's via e-mail and other times it's over the phone.
Depends on how initial contact was made.

[Unregistered]

I do all screening before I am even willing to set up an interview.

Sometimes it's via e-mail and other times it's over the phone.
Depends on how initial contact was made.

Exactly. Keeps me from wasting time. I keep an interview form on a clipboard so that I make sure to get everything I want before meeting.

[CityGarden]

I too am just getting started but I think that is a great idea. I assume you don't need a full application just the basics so it really is an Inquiry Form. On the Contact Us page of your site you should be able to set up an Inquiry Form and that requires them to fill out a certain number of questions you set and it emails you.

If they call I would likely ask them the same questions verbally but you can say I would love to chat with you, let me email you my Inquiry Form so I can best answer your questions. For me I would just print up a couple and have them ready to go to just ask the questions right on the spot but I understand if you would rather they fill that out first.

[NillaWafers]

I have a wordpress site, my contact form has all the things I want to know (age, sex, full time or part-time, start date). It's saved me a lot of time so far. I also have a questionnaire I send parents after speaking with them.

[Laurel]

I like the 'good 'ol days' when people just called and I got their information over the phone and scheduled an appointment. I want to get a feel for them by talking to them before I give them my address. I am home alone with children so don't want to have too much information on the internet. I am retired now but never had a website. I definitely would not put my address on the website. I'd give a general area.

I've had a few (very few, but still) pervert types call. I also didn't interview a prospective family with the daycare children there. I would interview them in the evening first and if they wanted to come see us in action, I'd let them come another day if they seemed okay.

I'm just saying this for new providers. If I were a parent, I would not want my provider having strangers in the house while my children were there.

A few times I've had someone just come to the door. I turned them away and told them to call for an appointment. The children's and my safety are a top priority.

[LysesKids]

I like the 'good 'ol days' when people just called and I got their information over the phone and scheduled an appointment. I want to get a feel for them by talking to them before I give them my address. I am home alone with children so don't want to have too much information on the internet. I am retired now but never had a website. I definitely would not put my address on the website. I'd give a general area.

I've had a few (very few, but still) pervert types call. I also didn't interview a prospective family with the daycare children there. I would interview them in the evening first and if they wanted to come see us in action, I'd let them come another day if they seemed okay.

I'm just saying this for new providers. If I were a parent, I would not want my provider having strangers in the house while my children were there.

A few times I've had someone just come to the door. I turned them away and told them to call for an appointment. The children's and my safety are a top priority.

I never have my phone # or Address on any ads or on the website... my ads direct to the website, the website has a contact me page they can send to me if they ;like what they read... first time I talk to them is when I CALL. I also NEVER interview when babies are here - evenings only after hrs. As you said it's a safety thing for everyone involved

[Unregistered]

Our addresses are considered public information and are on a million "daycare" sites online whether we like it or not.

[Mike]

I like the 'good 'ol days' when people just called and I got their information over the phone and scheduled an appointment. I want to get a feel for them by talking to them before I give them my address. I am home alone with children so don't want to have too much information on the internet. I am retired now but never had a website. I definitely would not put my address on the website. I'd give a general area.

I've had a few (very few, but still) pervert types call. I also didn't interview a prospective family with the daycare children there. I would interview them in the evening first and if they wanted to come see us in action, I'd let them come another day if they seemed okay.

I'm just saying this for new providers. If I were a parent, I would not want my provider having strangers in the house while my children were there.

A few times I've had someone just come to the door. I turned them away and told them to call for an appointment. The children's and my safety are a top priority.

It's true that you should not put too much information on a website, especially addresses. There's enough info about all of us on there already.

[LysesKids]

Our addresses are considered public information and are on a million "daycare" sites online whether we like it or not.

Actually mine is hidden... being computer savvy, I limit where I actually let my address be known (my dad was a computer specialist); they can access an IP, but I don't always log into somewhere I actually am if you know what I mean.