When we were applying to daycares, we had two that were our top choices.
#1 is on our work grounds but independently operated (no priority for university employees) - however, it's the most desirable one in town. Lowest prices, most educated staff, very nice facilities, and of course very convenient for us.
#2 is the one we actually got places at. It's also really nice, fairly new, the staff are very sweet and friendly, and it's about a block away from our house so still very convenient. However, their prices are a good 25% higher than #1.
Yesterday I got a message from #1. They said they had two days per week available for Will and Dash. I didn't call back right away - I wanted to talk to Ben about it. After all, the boys are already accustomed to #2...but then again, we could save money and #1 does have an excellent reputation.
We decided to talk to #1 to see what the odds of us getting additional days in May are. If they said we were 25th in line, then we'd stick with #2 since we know we already have at least 3 days a week there with the possibility of more. But if #1 said there was a good chance of additional days, we'd make the move.
Ben went to chat to the director of #1 today to see what she said. When he asked her about the possibility of other days becoming vacant, she sneered and told him that we "should just have been grateful that they'd even decided to offer us two days." And as it turned out, because I hadn't called them back within like 10 minutes, they'd already given away the two days they'd offered us (they never mentioned an acceptance deadline in the message, and we did get back to them within 24 hours).
So now I'm just grateful that we ended up with #2, even if it was our second choice to begin with! At least they're friendly and even willing to hold a 3rd weekday for us (at no charge) until we need it in May.
Yaaaay for nice daycares!
Re: glad we didn't get our top choice in daycares after all
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this! I hate it when vendors act like you are lucky to have them...I am still paying you remember!? Without customers, you go out of business!
Yeah, Ben was pretty seething at the time, and my jaw dropped when he told me!
We don't have yelp or anything similar (well...we do, but it's not used at ALL so it's not really worth it), but this town is small enough that word of mouth can still get around. So I'm going to be telling anyone who will listen.
see, everything works out for a reason. Boo about their rude-ness though.
Like you, I'm totally happy J ended up (it was our first choice, but the place at my work would have been too convenient to pass up. they flaked so it was just the nudge I needed to fully know everything worked out for a reason).
good!
Just yesterday, I was thinking about businesses with models/attitudes that lead to success and businesses that don't (after having a fantastic experience with Netflix where they sent me an extra movie for free without having to send in my current one--I'm on the one-out-at-a-time plan--cuz I had messed up the ordering of two movies in my queue)...and #1 daycare is an example of a business that is on the road to failure. Yes, things may be going well for them now, but it's just a matter of time before that kind of attitude will drag them downhill.
But I'm glad you guys went with your #2 choice after all
Jaime & Brent
Oahu, Hawaii | Sept. 9, 2005
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