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Its wearing me down, the whole working on weekends and weeknights thing. My poor darling wife and kids left to face the boredom of the day while "all" the other fathers are home with their families. Really hate it since i know this is the best thing for my kids too, just need two more daycare kids and it would help so much! UG!
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"God said, ‘I have found David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart. He will do everything I want him to do.'"
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I'm sorry this has been such a struggle for you. I hope things turn around soon. Do you have a website? I get a ton of calls from mine. Maybe even do a public intrest peice for your local newspaper? "local dad flies in the face of convention, role model for fatherless young men and women"? My hubs is my assistant and it makes my single mothers happy to know their kids get a role model and some man time. -
Do you have any volunteer opportunities in your community?
This is how I grew my daycare. Nothing better than word of mouth
Oh yeah build a website too. I'll share mine If you would like. PM me
Keep your chin up. God always has a plan for youComment
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That is such a GREAT idea!! I totally second this.
Also, maybe you could make yard signs and place them around your area. Dh made three of them for me for cheap! We bought COSCO Blank Sign Kits at Office Max and I printed out my logo and phone # etc onto two sheets of paper and then he put them on them and wrapped it with clear tape. I was skeptical but they actually turned out great and held up quite well and were a LOT cheaper than having them printed up for me! I placed them just outside of certain subdivisions around us that I wanted to target and I did get clients from them. I still have them in the garage and will use them again if and when I need to.
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Hang in there Dave!!
I think sometimes the best things in life require the greastest effort and the most patience!
happyface But you CAN do this and when you do get those last two kids, the time/effort put into this career choice will be worth it! happyfaceComment
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They will come! I agree with the signs and website. I had our 'sign guy' down the road make a fantastic sign for me - 3' x 4' and it is on the end of my driveway. He used my font and everything. He put it on marine board (won't rot, is kinda a plastic stuff) and it was only $60. Also, remember you are always 'on duty', even when you aren't. When you help someone at your store, I guarantee there has been a time that someone said to you, wow, you are great with kids. At that point, say thanks, I own a daycare during the week. Or, when they apologize for their child pulling on your pants or asking you a million questions, say, Nah, no biggie...I run a daycare during the week so I am used to it and love it!
I brought my son to a birthday party (preschool age) and was appalled at how many parents just dropped their 4 year olds off. Unfortunately because of who I am, I ended up kind of 'taking over' with those unsupervised children. When one of the moms commented I apologized and said I hoped I hadn't offended her by organizing children. I then went on to explain that I own a daycare so I have a hard time shutting it off. She thought it was fantastic and from just that situation, I have her son next year for the half day K. She is a teacher (great!) so I won't have him in the summer but starting school time I will. I also have her nieces and nephews (school age) on a drop in basis and will have them after school every day next year (also a teacher).
Long story short, you are great with kids (I am sure) and just make sure to 'sell yourself' accordingly!Comment
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keep on a pluggin!!! Get an add on Craigslist. A sign made up, make up some tear off flyers for local spots that have places to post them. Make up some bus cards to hand out when out and about. place your add up at church and have the Pastor make an announcement for you. Don't give up, just get busy..........it will come. It just might take some time. The economy, doesn't help but hang in there. No time to get tired- What does your space look like? Can you share pictures? Do you have a handbook/policy book, contract, etc... all in place. IF not, use this time to do all that, while your slow and practice all of your rules, so you will be ready to implement them come your first customer that is not family.
Make use of the time that you do have as a family- have everything ready and set for times when your together and not working. Stresses taken care of like dishes, dinner, and plan fun things to do so that you feel that you are still having that quality time together. Doing daycare is a juggle of all things- Many people do daycare and have jobs on the weekend too.
Lowes does a make it and take it project on one Saturday every month. Volunteer for this- you will be surrounded by tons of kids- great word of mouth there. Make sure you shine at this event.
Hope this helps- don't let your spirit break now or you will be burnt out before you even get a real true start to all of this. lovethisComment
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Have you tried a few open houses? You can invite ppl into your home to visit your daycare and meet you and your kids. Maybe try hosting a carnival or something for the kids in the area and pass out flyers for your daycare at the same time. Word of mouth is the best form of advertising when it comes to in home daycares. Sometimes it takes a while before word gets around. I'm sure you will find some kiddos to care for soon
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It is hard getting started. It just takes a little time to get your name out there. I think a man running a daycare is great and there are alot of kids that would really respond well to you. Just be patient. I bet things will pick up you can stop the weekends and evenings when they do. I have had a few kids that would have loved having a male provider. They were much smarter for men too.Not Clueless anymore
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