Call For Childcare : )

[melissa ann]

I already had someone inquire about childcare. She saw my ad on CL and then checked out my website and contacted me through there. I called her this morning, left a message. Hoping to hear back. She seemed very interested, but she lives/works in the next town from me. (About 10-15 mins away) But my town, and her town are very, very small towns. So small that they are both called Boroughs and not towns. So maybe she can't find someone she likes in her town.

[daycare]

I already had someone inquire about childcare. She seen my ad on CL and then checked out my website and contacted me through there. I called her this morning, left a message. Hoping to hear back. She seemed very interested, but she lives/works in the next town from me. (About 10-15 mins away) But my town, and her town are very, very small towns. So small that they are both called Boroughs and not towns. So maybe she can't find someone she likes in her town.

very possible. Glad to hear that you are getting calls... IMPE. Nov-Dec are very hard months to fill spots. it seems like most people wait until after the holidays have passed to move their kids...

I was lucky enough to fill my spots and have the parents put a holding deposit fee for their children to start in Jan...

[melissa ann]

I got an email from mom. She said about calling tonight for more info and maybe meeting next monday at quarter till 5.
I did tell her that tonight my dd has girl scouts and I won't be home for like an hour or so. And next monday I have a teacher conference at 5. So that wouldn't work either. My mom will be filling in for like 30 mins. Very frustrating. Hopefully, we can get together. I did tell her that my openings will start Nov 28, so we do have some time to work things out.

[Sprouts]

Try to get them in ASAP, make the time for them, whether its after hours or weekend.

When i first opened in august i was very excited about getting phone calls but then soon realized its just a call...u have to get them in, show them your available or the next person will....also have a folder with information ready for them, something cute and professional so that way when theyre comparing daycares when they get home they wont forget about u...

AND! Make a list, whether its on excel or paper....include
Name
childs name/age
phone #
Date contacted
rate you gave them (never give over the phone, tell them you only give in person)
email adress
Times and days they need u
notes (any thing that will help you remember them)

This helps so you can make return phone calls and won't forget any important info....hope this helps

[daycare]

Try to get them in ASAP, make the time for them, whether its after hours or weekend.

When i first opened in august i was very excited about getting phone calls but then soon realized its just a call...u have to get them in, show them your available or the next person will....also have a folder with information ready for them, something cute and professional so that way when theyre comparing daycares when they get home they wont forget about u...

AND! Make a list, whether its on excel or paper....include
Name
childs name/age
phone #
Date contacted
rate you gave them (never give over the phone, tell them you only give in person)
email adress
Times and days they need u
notes (any thing that will help you remember them)

This helps so you can make return phone calls and won't forget any important info....hope this helps

also ask how they learned about your daycare..

was it from a friend, an ad, your website, your posters from around town...etc

This way you can see what is most effective ways for you to continue to advertise..

Also, be up front about your fees over the phone. This way there is no wasting each others time...Then get them in the door like sprouts said

[melissa ann]

I did tell her that I would only be gone from 6:15-7:40. I would be available before then and after. I'm available all day/evening tonight. Tomorrow, my daughter has ballet but not until 7:30, so I"m free until then. Thur we have to pick up her candy order from Girl scouts anytime between 5-7, but that wouldn't take more than 30 mins. So I would be available anytime really Thur. I"m available all day, evening Fri. Saturday afternoon,evening, Sunday afternoon, evening. Next week is the school district's parent/teacher meetings that have been scheduled for a month. I aleady have someone filling in for me for about 30 mins beause my appt time is for 5, when I close. Normally, I'm free just about any night , except for Wed from 7:30-8 (dd's ballet) and 2 mondays/month she also has Girl Scouts.
There's only so much I can do by myself. I have to get my dd to her activities, We have not seen hubby since we left for church sunday morning.

[melissa ann]

I heard back from her. She was very understanding as she has also 2 teenagers. We set up an interview for Mon after my parent/teacher conference.

[dave4him]

Sounds great!

[Abigail]

I've been telling everyone my rates over the phone. I've talked to about 7 people, but not one has called back. Two said they would, but it's been a week. I'm honestly in no hurry because all those families needed care for longer hours later into the evening than I wanted. I tried the whole "save your rates until they're in the door", but I'm just starting out and have 5 of my 7 spots to fill and do not want to budge on my rates. If I were to lower my rates by $10-$20 a week for someone to start now, I would still end up with less pay if they stay because I can't raise it that much in a year. I would rather start out slowly with more income than to be all chaotic with so-much-per-week less per child. KWIM?

I would give out a general quote at least until you are sure of the hours and days they need care. Then if you are on the higher end or slightly above average explain the best parts about your daycare and that you don't raise rates for a year or whatever it may be. I hope you get more families in the door! I could never survive in a small town, I need to be near a Walmart and other places to get out of the house and go. LOL.

[melissa ann]

also ask how they learned about your daycare..

was it from a friend, an ad, your website, your posters from around town...etc

This way you can see what is most effective ways for you to continue to advertise..

Also, be up front about your fees over the phone. This way there is no wasting each others time...Then get them in the door like sprouts said

She saw my ad on CL which has a link to my website. She contacted me through the website. Everything is on my website, rates, handbook, contract, activities (summer and school year)etc.

To Abigail: I love my small town. We can walk anywhere in town. The park, library, post office, we even have a store just with candy: ). We also have McD's, Hardees, pizza shops, chinese, and 2 convience stores w/gas pumps. We just got a dollar general store. Yea! We have a lot packed in our little town. I'm not a fan of Walmart, but there's one about 15 minutes away.