Please Look Over My Craigslist Ad

[Unregistered]

What do you think of my Craigslist ad? I pick a dcb up in the mornings (they are my first and only family right now. I agreed to this before I decided to take on other children, and his mom pays really well for it, so I'm not planning to quit that service for them), so I'm not putting my opening time, since what time any other child comes will have to work around that. I am having a terrible time getting anyone enrolled (no bites at all in 2 months) so I listed several options like half days and drop ins just to have a better chance at getting SOME kind of income. BTW, I am not licensed, and do not have a name for it:
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Preschool teacher offering full & part time Preschool/Childcare in my home for children ages 2 1/2 - schoolage (younger children/toddlers may be accepted on a case by case basis). Drop-ins welcome also for parents who only need occasional care. Half day (preschool-only) may be an option, as well as After school care.

Available Monday - Friday (Day Shift only. Open til 5:30 pm)

* Preschool included to fully prepare children for kindergarten
(curriculum includes Arts & Crafts, Music & Movement, Science/Social Studies, Language Arts, Early Math, Large & Fine Muscle development, Self-help skills, and more!)
* Individualized plans for each child's development
* CDA (Child Development) Credentialed provider/teacher
* First Aid/CPR certified
* References available
* Meals and Snack provided
* Field Trips
* Lots of space to play outdoors
* Loving Christian home environment where children are treated like family

Please e-mail for more details and rates (Include the days & hours that you need).

[Unregistered]

I would say not being licensed and providing care in your home is a red flag. Essentially you are a nanny (attempting to become a nanny share) but providing care in your home. Will you become an unregistered or licensing exempt provider? Your goal, as based off the language in your ad, is to provide preschool for many children, but you are not licensed..... i cannot think of a space where this action would be legal.

If you are attempting to advertise as a "preschool" but do not have other children that is likely confusing for some clients. Parents may not be contacting you because cost and hours play a large role in their decision process.

I think it best that you switch mindsets to a nanny share, care alternates between the homes of each family served. Liability would be a huge issue if you offer care in your home and do not follow the appropriate avenues.

[Unregistered]

In my area, "Nanny" is hardly ever heard of. My wording of "childcare in my home" is very very common around here. There are a lot of individuals who watch children in their homes. We are considered an "unregistered Childcare". Completely legal as long as we don't have more than 5 children enrolled at one time. I have certainly done my research first to know what I would be. I have one child enrolled right now and I do preschool with that child, and I will do preschool with any other preschool child enrolled (thus the "preschool" part) I am a preschool teacher and have experience teaching preschool. I am doing this just like a home daycare would (some home daycares also provide preschool. In fact, most of the home daycares around here also do a preschool curriculum in their daily routine. so they are also a daycare/preschool, except they are licensed and I am legally unlicensed. There shouldn't be any red flags because I am completely legal in any of my wording and anything I provide for the children. What I was asking for was a way to make my ad sound better. Make it stand out and make people want to call me. When I put an ad in the paper, they have to call for more info. Parents have internet and e-mail, so they can very easily get my rates by calling me. I just don't want to put it in my ad because of how many providers see it and try to go lower, just to get more children than you. There is a lot of competition in my town...

[MarinaVanessa]

Nanny in my area means childcare provider in the child's home ... not in ones own home ... as long as you are license exempt (legal) vs unlicensed (illegal) you shouldn't have to worry about that.

Your add seems fine to me for the most part however I recommend that instead of "till" you actually use the word "until". It's a personal peeve of mine to see ads that say that they offer a curriculum and their add has misspellings, slang or abbreviations in it . JMO.

[Unregistered]

Nanny in my area means childcare provider in the child's home ... not in ones own home ... as long as you are license exempt (legal) vs unlicensed (illegal) you shouldn't have to worry about that.

Your add seems fine to me for the most part however I recommend that instead of "till" you actually use the word "until". It's a personal peeve of mine to see ads that say that they offer a curriculum and their add has misspellings, slang or abbreviations in it . JMO.

Thank you for looking at it! I'm glad you caught that "til". Those little things bother me, as well. Do you have any tips to make my ad stand out? Maybe a catchy title?
I would also like to make some flyers to pass around. Do you think that would be okay, even without being licensed? Do you (or anyone) have any ideas for what to say on it to make it eye catching and appealing?

[DayCareDynasty]

What do you think of my Craigslist ad? I pick a dcb up in the mornings (they are my first and only family right now. I agreed to this before I decided to take on other children, and his mom pays really well for it, so I'm not planning to quit that service for them), so I'm not putting my opening time, since what time any other child comes will have to work around that. I am having a terrible time getting anyone enrolled (no bites at all in 2 months) so I listed several options like half days and drop ins just to have a better chance at getting SOME kind of income. BTW, I am not licensed, and do not have a name for it:
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Preschool teacher offering full & part time Preschool/Childcare in my home for children ages 2 1/2 - schoolage (younger children/toddlers may be accepted on a case by case basis). Drop-ins welcome also for parents who only need occasional care. Half day (preschool-only) may be an option, as well as After school care.

Available Monday - Friday (Day Shift only. Open til 5:30 pm)

* Preschool included to fully prepare children for kindergarten
(curriculum includes Arts & Crafts, Music & Movement, Science/Social Studies, Language Arts, Early Math, Large & Fine Muscle development, Self-help skills, and more!)
* Individualized plans for each child's development
* CDA (Child Development) Credentialed provider/teacher
* First Aid/CPR certified
* References available
* Meals and Snack provided
* Field Trips
* Lots of space to play outdoors
* Loving Christian home environment where children are treated like family

Please e-mail for more details and rates (Include the days & hours that you need).

After Preschool Teacher Add (Your Area)

Although you have the ad placed in your area on CL...you get extra points in the search engines when you incorporate your local area at least 2 times in the body of the ad. Potential clients can find you on CL and more importantly you have a good chance of coming up on Google which means more exposure!

Next: I would recommend an Irresistible Offer Ex. Half off Sibling or Second Child or may be 3 Trial Days, Back to School Special, Save in September (because its almost Sept.) etc... The Irresistible offer should stand out on a line by it's self!

Lastly: Clear Call To Action: This is your phone# Parents need to be able to contact you instantly! Also your number ads a more personal touch to your ad makes you more approachable to potential clients. (A lot of providers do not want to use their phone number, so you can get a Free Telephone number with Google Voice which routes to any phone line you like) I highly recommend adding your number, I put my number in my ad and have gotten at least 7 calls from parents and no scam emails!

Emphasize the fact that parents are getting more than just Child Care. Try to make the Credentialed Preschool Teacher Standout. Always put the Good Stuff first!

Ex. Title:

Credentialed Preschool Teacher/Providing Child Care

Complete Kindergarten Preparedness Curriculum

Remember The 3 S's When Writing Your Ad (Short Sweet Substance)

Hope this helps

[Crazy8]

I agree with Daycare Dynasty about the phone number. My CL is FULL of the email hacks/scams so even people selling things are giving a phone number to call saying they won't answer emails, etc. I placed a few items for sale on CL recently and only answered a select few ads who really sounded like they wanted the items and STILL got a few hacker emails over the next few days. I refuse to use CL for my daycare now. But I know in other areas it works well.

[cheerfuldom]

I do not put a phone number on my CL ad and it doesnt seem to be a problem for me....I do have an email acct for daycare inquiries only.

do you have pics to add to the ad OP?

[Nickel]

Teacher offering full & part time Preschool/Childcare in my home located in (your area). Now accepting children ages 2 1/2 - schoolage (younger siblings may be accepted on a case by case basis).

I have openings for:
Full time
Drop-ins or occasional care.
Half day (preschool-only)
After school

Available Monday - Friday (Day Shift only. Open til 5:30 pm)

* Preschool included to fully prepare children for kindergarten
(curriculum includes Arts & Crafts, Music & Movement, Science/Social Studies, Language Arts, Early Math, Large & Fine Muscle development, Self-help skills, and more!)
* Individualized plans for each child's development
* CDA (Child Development) Credentialed provider/teacher
* First Aid/CPR certified
* References available
* Meals and Snack provided
* Field Trips
* Lots of space to play outdoors
* Loving Christian home environment where children are treated like family

Please e-mail for more details and rates (Include the days & hours that you need).

*****************************************************
I made some edits above. It helps it flow and is a little easier to read. IMO. Otherwise it's a good ad

[Unregistered]

Thank you everyone! I really appreciate the great suggestions! I made a new ad using them. Nickle, thanks for editing it to make it flow more smoothly.

DaycareDynasty, I really like your suggestions! did you mean to use "Credentialed Preschool teacher" as the ad's title? Was the special "reduced prices" part meant to be an ad title, or as part of the post?

Keep the advice coming, I love getting tips!