Can't Fill Spots :(

[Ariana]

I've been in business now for a whole year and have been advertising since I opened and can't seem to get any more kids. I have been taking care of my neighbours 2 kids since I opened and have been looking to add at least one more kid ever since.

I recently dropped my fee by $7 a day and started paying to advertise. I got 3 parents interested (not in the age range I was looking for but I was willing to make an exception) I sent them my contract and then...nothing!! Not even a response back, I just don't get it!! I'm educated in the field and have lots of experience. Sometimes I feel that I'm less competitive because I don't undervalue my services. So many other caregivers out there offer so much for so little, like 12 hour days and charging only $20 per day etc.

Anyone else find it difficult to secure spots or have any advice?

[cheerfuldom]

It is very difficult right now. There have been numerous threads about this. For instance, I charge $140 per week for full time care, $30 a day for part time. I am seeing quite a few providers offering $100 a week (or less!) and then providing food/formula/diapers and then on top of that, the first week or two free for enrolling! One person put up an ad today and said parents could bring kids in their jammies and she would do daily baths and launder clothing! Unless you are willing to do a lot for a little, then you just have to play the waiting game to get a different sort of family. Review how your are advertising or what other things parents may be turned off by when seeing your contract or setup.

[Love My Job!!]

It makes me sad to read that providers are having a hard time enrolling children. I guess I have been blessed to be full and when I have an opening I always fill it within 2 weeks.
There are CL ads too in my area that advertise for $50.00, $75.00 and $85.00 a week. My rates are $110.00 for ages 2 to 5. Right now I am full and I may possible have an opening soon as I have a DCM that may be moving out of state.

I will place my ad on CL and within a few days I always get calls and interviews. I set up interviews for 8 days and then I chose which child & family I believe will fit the best.

I have an awsome ad and I also have a awsome web site. (Not bragging, but I worked really hard on both and both has paid off). I have even had parents of infants call me and beg me to take 12, 14 16 months. They have even offered me more money. But I tell them I like my 2 to 5 ages and I am not set up for younger. They ask to be on a waiting list for when the child turns 2. But by the time the child turns 2, I would hope they have a great provider they are happy with.

So my advice is....make an ad that STANDS OUT and make a website "WITH YOUR HEART", tell about you, tell about why you love your job, tell about what you do with your children, tell about things on a "CHILD LEVEL".

I hope this will help providers having a hard time enrolling children. I will send good vibes your way!

[justgettingstarted]

It makes me sad to read that providers are having a hard time enrolling children. I guess I have been blessed to be full and when I have an opening I always fill it within 2 weeks.
There are CL ads too in my area that advertise for $50.00, $75.00 and $85.00 a week. My rates are $110.00 for ages 2 to 5. Right now I am full and I may possible have an opening soon as I have a DCM that may be moving out of state.

I will place my ad on CL and within a few days I always get calls and interviews. I set up interviews for 8 days and then I chose which child & family I believe will fit the best.

I have an awsome ad and I also have a awsome web site. (Not bragging, but I worked really hard on both and both has paid off). I have even had parents of infants call me and beg me to take 12, 14 16 months. They have even offered me more money. But I tell them I like my 2 to 5 ages and I am not set up for younger. They ask to be on a waiting list for when the child turns 2. But by the time the child turns 2, I would hope they have a great provider they are happy with.

So my advice is....make an ad that STANDS OUT and make a website "WITH YOUR HEART", tell about you, tell about why you love your job, tell about what you do with your children, tell about things on a "CHILD LEVEL".

I hope this will help providers having a hard time enrolling children. I will send good vibes your way!

Would you be willing to share your CL ad? I've posted an ad the last couple of days and haven't gotten any calls (not complaining yet, I expect it to take a while) but there are SO MANY ads! I can't imagine how I can make it stand out more.

[Cat Herder]

How long is your contract?

[dave4him]

Right now the only one i have is my 1 year old niece who i cannot enroll untill i get my stars permit, but i am looking forward to it... since i have my own three i think one more to start should be good.

[lucky]

Hang in there. My neighbor recently started and it took a couple months, but now she has as many as she wants. I guess it depends on where you may be located though. Here there is still a demand.

[Ariana]

How long is your contract?

It's 12 pages. Sometimes I wonder if I should meet the parents before giving them the contract. Maybe it's scaring them off somehow? I feel like if they met me first they'd like me

As for the advice about my ad. I don't think the ad is necessarily the problem since I've had many parents contact me but it's never gone past that.

[pfund2233]

Sorry your having troubles filling spots. I have never had an issue with filling a spot. I have 4 spots and all are full and have been from day 1. I even have a wait list of 5 families and was just asked tonight at bowling if I had an opening for a 6mo old. I have advertised 1 time and that was right at the start and how I got 1... yes only 1 of my current families. Other wise it has all been word of mouth. I could be full 4 times over if I wanted.

I don't think I would send my contract out before meeting. I meet with the parents and we go threw my handbook and contract together so if they have questions they can ask right then and there. All my families signed on before they even left that meeting.

Hope it gets better... just hang in there!!!

[Michael]

You're almost at 100 posts. We offer a free listing in the Daycare.com registry once you reach 100.

[dave4him]

Suggest to your friends, family, anyone else that if they know anyone you are free. Networking is a big thing these days!

[Michael]

Sorry, I meant Daycare.com offers a free listing in our registry once a member reaches 100 posts.

[cheerfuldom]

I think it does depend on your area and a multitude of other things. for me, I fill spots fairly quickly but there is a huge flood of new daycares in my area and many, many parents that want a lot for a little. Right now the competition is high but it didn't used to be and it will probably change again in a year or two when a lot of these new providers get burnt out or go back to jobs outside the home. you might see what other providers in the area are experiencing. I know at least half a dozen in my same town and we are all having the same challenges.

[Michael]

I think it does depend on your area and a multitude of other things. for me, I fill spots fairly quickly but there is a huge flood of new daycares in my area and many, many parents that want a lot for a little. Right now the competition is high but it didn't used to be and it will probably change again in a year or two when a lot of these new providers get burnt out or go back to jobs outside the home. you might see what other providers in the area are experiencing. I know at least half a dozen in my same town and we are all having the same challenges.

This is very ture. We likewise see some states and cities that are more internet savvy then others in our listings and searches.

[DaycareMomma]

I can share in your distress. I've been licensed since 2008, used to be totally full and now I have 1 full time and 3 part timers. I had to up my rates to $100/week and I had a family leave me for it, even after I tried working out a better pay scale for them....

I've been advertising for a while and haven't gotten much. Had 1 call, parent came, took all my paperwork, said they'd start Monday. Monday came and left and no family.... Turns out she is opening her own daycare, so I'm assuming she took my stuff just to get an idea of how to structure her daycare... Lesson learned there...


Good luck in filling spots. Hopefully we can both report back soon that we're full!