How Do You Set Your Childcare Apart From The Rest?

[Willow]

What sets me apart is what I've been told by my families - that their kids tunes about coming to daycare change 10 fold once they start coming to my home.

Kids that used to scream, cry and beg not to have to go to daycare now scream, cry and beg on Saturday mornings when they realize they have to stay home

I don't know what I do all that differently to accomplish that, my daycare is very back to basics. I live out in the country, am very laid back, I keep a small group, there are rules and behavior expectations, we eat very healthy simple foods, meals and naptime are really the only thing scheduled about our days and we don't watch any tv. I encourage exploring and imaginative play to the max. I aspire to be a glorified "grandma's house" I suppose.


That reputation has spread through my town like wildfire. I haven't ever had to advertise. Once parents hear from my families how happy their children are here they're near knockin down my door to get their kids in! The only down side is it breaks my heart to have to say no. I don't even interview for my wait list anymore, I can't stand meeting great kiddos and families I can't take on

[VioletCupcake]

What I do is I offer things that nobody else around here offers like:

Developmental profiles for parents who want to know where their child is developmentally

Daily science

Open ended art

Behavioral Modification plans

Curriculum based around enrolled children's interests

11.5 hours from open to close (My rates are in 5 hour increments, the more hours you need, the more you pay. Say a family needs 13 hrs. a week, I charge them the rate for 10-15 hrs. per week)

Other than that I can't really think of anything. Granted, I don't offer field trips or transportation that requires a car. Additionally, I don't offer over night care or 2nd/3rd shift hours.

I would love to her more about the developmental profiles that you create for the families. Where do you get your info? And how do you type it up? I have lots of parents who ask about different milestones. Thanks!

[Annalee]

What sets me apart is what I've been told by my families - that their kids tunes about coming to daycare change 10 fold once they start coming to my home.

Kids that used to scream, cry and beg not to have to go to daycare now scream, cry and beg on Saturday mornings when they realize they have to stay home

I don't know what I do all that differently to accomplish that, my daycare is very back to basics. I live out in the country, am very laid back, I keep a small group, there are rules and behavior expectations, we eat very healthy simple foods, meals and naptime are really the only thing scheduled about our days and we don't watch any tv. I encourage exploring and imaginative play to the max. I aspire to be a glorified "grandma's house" I suppose.



That reputation has spread through my town like wildfire. I haven't ever had to advertise. Once parents hear from my families how happy their children are here they're near knockin down my door to get their kids in! The only down side is it breaks my heart to have to say no. I don't even interview for my wait list anymore, I can't stand meeting great kiddos and families I can't take on

I, too, think what you mentioned about children enjoying your child care program is the best advertisement ever. Word of mouth goes through big companies, school systems, hospitals, etc. leading to a full house quickly. I feel what sets my child care apart in my area is my openness with my parents. After talking with them on the phone, setting up an interview, and even doing one more interview, there is no pretense about what is expected from myself or the client. "What you see is what you get"... Everything is self explanatory from payment to days off to what kind of learning experiences will be offered....and so on. While doing one interview, the client said a past client had told her I was extremely "adamant" about my contract. Wellllll, at least I know I am doing something right!

[BumbleBee]

I would love to her more about the developmental profiles that you create for the families. Where do you get your info? And how do you type it up? I have lots of parents who ask about different milestones. Thanks!

I'll PM you shortly

[daycarediva]

daycarediva, how do you do the monthly parents night out? Do the kids go home for an hour, and then come back? I would love to offer this, just not sure how to implement it. Also, how do you clean your hardwood floors? I did vinegar and water for awhile, but the floor started to lose it's finish. Currently I wet jet swiffer daily with an antibacterial cleaner, but fear that's not enough. Our old house was all carpet, so I am new to hardwood. Advice? TIA!

My PTO are always on Saturday evenings from 6-9. This gives us enough time to eat our pizza, buy candy, popcorn and juice boxes from the 'concession stand' (with fake money) and get comfy for a story and movie. I try to have them correspond. September we are reading The Lorax and then watching the movie.

Floors are easy, get a shark steam mop! It shines up beautifully, without chemicals or smells! It also doesn't get the floor super wet, and is good to spot mop when needed without making the floors slippery.

[daycare]

I have never heard of Zoo Phonics, is it different from Reading w/ Phonics. I was going to try "Your baby Can Read" at one point, but I wasnt sure about that one. If you have a link to a website I would love to check it out! You are welcome to pm me! Thanx!

it is a great program that has been around since the 80s. It is a very popular program in my area, but most of the half day preschools are the only ones that teach it. So for those that need all day care, no one else in my in-home daycare areas offer it.

google zoo phonics, I don't have a link to their site. It should be very easy to find...