My Craigslist Add -

[dave4him]

Doodlebug daycare is a state licensed home daycare that has 2 openings. I love taking care of kids and helping them learn and letting them be a kid. We provide breakfast, lunch, and snacks. We spend time reading, learning, dancing to music, and arts & crafts. My home is open from 6am to 6pm Monday-Friday. School drop off is available and we accept DHS subsidy. If you have any questions please call me or you may text or email. Loving Christian home environment. $25/day or $115/week, if more than 1 child will negotiate rate.


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How does that sound?
Maybe i need to print business cards

[Hunni Bee]

Doodlebug daycare is a state licensed home daycare that has 2 openings. I love taking care of kids and helping them learn and letting them be a kid. We provide breakfast, lunch, and snacks. We spend time reading, learning, dancing to music, and arts & crafts. My home is open from 6am to 6pm Monday-Friday. School drop off is available and we accept DHS subsidy. If you have any questions please call me or you may text or email. Loving Christian home environment. $25/day or $115/week, if more than 1 child will negotiate rate.


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How does that sound?
Maybe i need to print business cards

I would take out texting. Texting is too informal, especially with people you dont know...plus it encourages crazies . I'd just have then contact you home phone and email.

[DaycareMama]

I agree take out the texting. Otherwise sounds good

[bunnyslippers]

Looks good. I would definitely take out the texting, and maybe add in some photos of your space. You may want to add in some bullets about what types of activities the kids do:
*circle time
*science exploration
*music and movement
*sensory play
*arts and crafts
*gross and fine motor skill practice

Do you have a website set up yet? There are some free templates you can download. I think that is another great way to advertise, and you can attach the link to your craig's list ad.

Good luck!

[daycare]

when I was learning to create an ad for my DC my teacher asked me, what makes you unique or different than the others in your area. SO I had to research a bit and find something that I could offer that no one else does.

I do two things that no one else does and I love it.

1. I do a community in the classroom project
2. I offer a free PNO once a month too all families in care for all of their children. I love doing it, I have a blast with the kids on a completely different level and we have a roaring good time.

Find out what others offer in your area and find something that makes your unique.......

I bet that your male is unique, while some may be put off by it, others may gravitate to it more....There are a lot of little boys and girls out there without a father figure in their life.....

[bunnyslippers]

when I was learning to create an ad for my DC my teacher asked me, what makes you unique or different than the others in your area. SO I had to research a bit and find something that I could offer that no one else does.

I do two things that no one else does and I love it.

1. I do a community in the classroom project
2. I offer a free PNO once a month too all families in care for all of their children. I love doing it, I have a blast with the kids on a completely different level and we have a roaring good time.

Find out what others offer in your area and find something that makes your unique.......

I bet that your male is unique, while some may be put off by it, others may gravitate to it more....There are a lot of little boys and girls out there without a father figure in their life.....

Such a great point!!!!!

[Michelle]

Doodlebug daycare is a state licensed home daycare that has 2 openings. I love taking care of kids and helping them learn and letting them be a kid. We provide breakfast, lunch, and snacks. We spend time reading, learning, dancing to music, and arts & crafts. My home is open from 6am to 6pm Monday-Friday. School drop off is available and we accept DHS subsidy. If you have any questions please call me or you may text or email. Loving Christian home environment. $25/day or $115/week, if more than 1 child will negotiate rate.


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How does that sound?
Maybe i need to print business cards

be careful about the word negotiate... some people may take it as permission to haggle over your rates.....just say something like $20 discount for second child or whatever.
Also, go ahead and say you are a daddy! and offer references too. You can say something like" I promise to be a positive male role model for your child"or something like that, because if you don't mention it in your ad, you will get a lot of hang ups or no thank you"s if they don't know.
Also get some letters of recommendations from your church.

[countrymom]

Doodlebug daycare is a state licensed home daycare that has 2 openings. I love taking care of kids and helping them learn and letting them be a kid. We provide breakfast, lunch, and snacks. We spend time reading, learning, dancing to music, and arts & crafts. My home is open from 6am to 6pm Monday-Friday. School drop off is available and we accept DHS subsidy. If you have any questions please call me or you may text or email. Loving Christian home environment. $25/day or $115/week, if more than 1 child will negotiate rate.


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How does that sound?
Maybe i need to print business cards

this is how I would write it.

Doodle Bugs is a well established licensed Home Daycare located somewhere.
*I am a dad of 2 children and own/operate Doodle Bugs
*full time/part time spots available
*open from 6am to 6pm Monday to Friday per contract hours
*healthy breakfast, lunch and 2 snacks are provided
*fully fenced play area outside
*large play area inside
*child lead activities and cirriculum
*first aid and cpr certified
*circle time, craft time....
*ages 1 yrs old to 12 yrs old
*before and afterschool available
*DHS subsiby available


*for more information or for a schedualed tour, please contact me at 888-8888
thanks Dave






I wouldn't put in that you are a christian home because you elimate people right away unless you use it in your cirriculum, but I wouldn't. Also, never write negotiate, that means "special". Also, let them call you, so you can talk to them. Also, do you have a contract, I would suggest that. Also, is that the going rate because that seems low. My suggestion is that you do it on a contract basis, because you want to be open for 12 hours then charge for 12 hours, anything over 9 hours is additional trust me. Look at ads on craigslist, and see what they have too. Add pictures.

[icaredaycare]

I agree with country mom. I was actually going to post earlier but dinner got in the way.

not to offend anyone who is christian, but by putting in that you are a christian home, makes it look more like a faith based program, and it can scare away potential clients who aren't Christian.

as for negotiable prices...that's also a no. U want set prices to be professional. negotiating prices makes it look like you pull numbers off top of your head last minute, and parents walk away with questionable numbers.


Also, look around on CL at check out all your competitors.

Good luck dave. wish you the best and hope all goes well.

[Sugar Magnolia]

this is how I would write it.

Doodle Bugs is a well established licensed Home Daycare located somewhere.
*I am a dad of 2 children and own/operate Doodle Bugs
*full time/part time spots available
*open from 6am to 6pm Monday to Friday per contract hours
*healthy breakfast, lunch and 2 snacks are provided
*fully fenced play area outside
*large play area inside
*child lead activities and cirriculum
*first aid and cpr certified
*circle time, craft time....
*ages 1 yrs old to 12 yrs old
*before and afterschool available
*DHS subsiby available


*for more information or for a schedualed tour, please contact me at 888-8888
thanks Dave



I wouldn't put in that you are a christian home because you elimate people right away unless you use it in your cirriculum, but I wouldn't. Also, never write negotiate, that means "special". Also, let them call you, so you can talk to them. Also, do you have a contract, I would suggest that. Also, is that the going rate because that seems low. My suggestion is that you do it on a contract basis, because you want to be open for 12 hours then charge for 12 hours, anything over 9 hours is additional trust me. Look at ads on craigslist, and see what they have too. Add pictures.

ALL OF THIS! Great, great and great! Love it!

[SunnyDay]

ALL OF THIS! Great, great and great! Love it!

I agree with this as well. I find a bulleted list of points much easier to read. I also agree with stating that you are a male right in your ad. I think parents will almost think you're "trying to hide something" if you don't tell them right upfront.

[SunnyDay]

Also there is a male provider whose ad I have seen on my local craigslist, I just private messaged you a link in case it might be helpful for you to look at.

[familyschoolcare]

davce4him,

I find your updated ad to be good.


Just my two cents about saying you are Christian home my add says that also. I do not find that it stops people of other religions from inquiring about

the day care. I list the word christian in everything that is printed for my daycare. When parents ask about it I simply tell them that while I do not

teach Christian principals in the daycare (mostly a time factor, specilizing in school age and alll) Christain and Biblical princpals will be modeled and talked

about and Chrisitan and Biblicial vocabullary will be use.


Any ways, back when I was first setting up my day care, The pastor of my church encouraged the whole congeration to ask themselves "what would

Jesus do" in every "big" decission they make in life espicaily in their bussiness practices. I will stop now before I astart trying to preach to you. If you

would like more details about this please Pm me.

[MommyofThree]

Doodlebug daycare is a state licensed home daycare that has 2 openings. I love taking care of kids and helping them learn and letting them be a kid. We provide breakfast, lunch, and snacks. We spend time reading, learning, dancing to music, and arts & crafts. My home is open from 6am to 6pm Monday-Friday. School drop off is available and we accept DHS subsidy. If you have any questions please call me or you may text or email. Loving Christian home environment. $25/day or $115/week, if more than 1 child will negotiate rate.


------------
How does that sound?
Maybe i need to print business cards

Dave have you used vista print ? Type in vista print coupons and you can get 250 for 3.50! Well worth it. Some are free. Good luckhappyface

[icaredaycare]

davce4him,

I find your updated ad to be good.


Just my two cents about saying you are Christian home my add says that also. I do not find that it stops people of other religions from inquiring about

the day care. I list the word christian in everything that is printed for my daycare. When parents ask about it I simply tell them that while I do not

teach Christian principals in the daycare (mostly a time factor, specilizing in school age and alll) Christain and Biblical princpals will be modeled and talked

about and Chrisitan and Biblicial vocabullary will be use.


Any ways, back when I was first setting up my day care, The pastor of my church encouraged the whole congeration to ask themselves "what would

Jesus do" in every "big" decission they make in life espicaily in their bussiness practices. I will stop now before I astart trying to preach to you. If you

would like more details about this please Pm me.

dave, if christianity is a must have, maybe you can say something like, faith inspired...instead of faith based. this way u'll be true to your religion, and you don't deter potential clients.