Potential parent no contact advice

**Louise317** · 13-06-2011, 04:22 PM

Hello you lovely lot

I had a parent visit me Wednesday, seemed happy, child cried when leaving because she didn't want to go... I sent her away with a parent pack and said have a few days to think about it. She said she'd let me know Friday after speaking to her husband.

Well end of Monday now and no contact...

Do you make contact and ask for a decision ?
I was thinking of sending a text, saying it was nice to meet her did she want to take the place and maybe some feedback ??

This is my first one so don't really know how to handle it, if she says no its fine but just would like to know really.

TIA - Louise x

**marnieb** · 13-06-2011, 04:26 PM

If I have a mobile number and the parent seemed keen, then I do text.

But - you have to get used to this, it happens so often!! Parenst dont seem to think/care about getting in touch, and I always make a point of asking them to let me know if they don't want the space, but even then they dont bother.

**Louise0208** · 13-06-2011, 04:29 PM

i would drop a txt to ask if she is interested as you have had another enquiry and need to get back to the other potential parent within the next 24hrs & it only seemed fair that she had first refusal

if they respond - all good

if they dont respond then its obviously there not interested & were not very reliable anyway

**Bushpig** · 13-06-2011, 04:31 PM

I leave it. If they want me, they want me. And I never text parents unless to give updates re how a child is during the day when in my care. To me, texting is unprofessional otherwise. Phone/send an email rather.

**Louise317** · 13-06-2011, 04:31 PM

Yeah have a mobile no'... prefer to text don't like talking lol

Would you ask for feedback ? or just nice to meet let me know kinda thing ?

I'm OK with rejection just don't like the unknown

**acorns** · 13-06-2011, 04:38 PM

Yes I would text, just so you can stop wondering. I think it's just courtesy to let you know, but unfortunately the majorty of prospective clients I have had don't seem to agree.

**Louise317** · 13-06-2011, 04:49 PM

thinking of sending

"Hi ***, I hope you are well. It was nice to meet you and your Daughter last week. I was just wondering if you wanted to take up one of my places as I have a couple more enquiries this week ? Thank you - Louise"

**rickysmiths** · 13-06-2011, 04:55 PM

I wouldn't dream of texting. I always phone and talk. I would want my parent pack back. Ring and ask if they could pop it in or if you could go and pick it up because you have other parents coming round to see you.

**Bushpig** · 13-06-2011, 05:00 PM

I would not text. It's lazy and unprofessional. Seriously.

I would phone her, thank her for coming and ask her to let you know if she has any more queries for you re your service? Hopefully that'll open up the conversation of whether she's interested or not.

The thing with asking if she'd like the place is it might make you sound desperate, and you don't want that (even if you are!).

**grindal** · 13-06-2011, 05:00 PM

I would not have a problem with sending or receiving a text. I dont think there is anything unprofessional about a text (as long as it is not text speak!) it is an acceptable form of communication.
I always follow up parents who have come to see me and do not bother to get back in touch - although they often ignore the text!!

**miffy** · 13-06-2011, 05:01 PM

I might be in the minority but I wouldn't text either.

It is only Monday and parent might have had a busy weekend or been ill.

If you really need to know then phone and speak to her but it could be she has just not made a decision yet.

Miffy xx

**Louise317** · 13-06-2011, 05:16 PM

I do have a phone phobia but if I do it without really thinking I should be OK

I'm going to leave it till tomorrow, I have another parent visiting in the morning so I'll deal with that one first.

Thank you for your replies xx

**miffy** · 13-06-2011, 05:19 PM

Good luck with the visit tomorrow

Maybe this one will sign up straight away!

Miffy xx

**Louise317** · 13-06-2011, 05:37 PM

Originally Posted by miffy

Good luck with the visit tomorrow

Maybe this one will sign up straight away!

Miffy xx

Thanks Miffy.

Tomorrows one is a lady I met on the Childminding course who didn't continue the journey (Infact out of the 7 that was in our little group(19 in total) only I did!!). Its only for a few hours a couple of days a week but its a start if she says yes.

**alwaysright** · 13-06-2011, 06:00 PM

i dont think txting is unprofessional however i still wouldnt do it! if a parent comes to see me and doesnt bother to get back to me then i wouldnt dream of contacting them, i just think if they want to use me then they would get back to me, unfortunately its just part of the job....but what annoys me more is if they ring an make an appointment to come and see me and then dont turn up

**Tealady** · 13-06-2011, 09:28 PM

Originally Posted by kitty2910

but what annoys me more is if they ring an make an appointment to come and see me and then dont turn up

That is when I text... just a quick one to confirm our appointment, normally that day or the evening before. I have found it does prompt a response, often with a lame excuse, as to why they're not coming, but at least I haven't wasted time waiting.

**Greengrass74** · 14-06-2011, 07:45 AM

Originally Posted by Bushpig

I leave it. If they want me, they want me. And I never text parents unless to give updates re how a child is during the day when in my care. To me, texting is unprofessional otherwise. Phone/send an email rather.

Totally agree texting is unprofessional, give them a phone call

**Louise0208** · 14-06-2011, 08:33 AM

Texting unproffesional??...... what a load of tosh! its the same as an email but though a phone!

banks text, schools text, our doctors surgery text, delivery companies text, gas/electricians/council repair men text with approx arrival times

if its so unprofessional then why do all the above professions use it as a completely acceptable way of communication?

i would rather receive a text message from a company or person than take time out and stop everything im doing to find the phone to be told the same thing!

**marnieb** · 14-06-2011, 09:01 AM

Originally Posted by Louise0208

Texting unproffesional??...... what a load of tosh! its the same as an email but though a phone!

banks text, schools text, our doctors surgery text, delivery companies text, gas/electricians/council repair men text with approx arrival times

if its so unprofessional then why do all the above professions use it as a completely acceptable way of communication?

i would rather receive a text message from a company or person than take time out and stop everything im doing to find the phone to be told the same thing!

Couldn't agree more!!!!!!!!!!!

if I was looking for a cm, I'd be wondering what her mindees were doing while she was on the phone to me!!!! It's the same reason why I dont answer my home phone during the day - I'm working and can't answer the phone!!!