Getting Your First Client...

[Trish]

Hi Everyone,

So the main reason I picked today to register for this wonderful forum is because I need some help. Here's a quick background. I became licensed and officially opened to clients over the summer. Although my website does get hits, I have had only 3 calls in the last few months. The first two were for infants (we're only taking 2 and up) and the second call yesterday, but because of bussing issues with the potential clients home district it would not have worked out, as much as she was loving the program

Help! . I've sent out mailers through Vistaprint, put up signs in town, have a lawn sign, posted on CL, I'm registered with my county's referral agency - I've even e-mailed realtors and local businesses (I live in a small town, but we have a super active community). After yesterday's potential being shut down, I'm more frustrated than ever. I know things take time, but I was hoping to at least have more phone calls or e-mails - yesterday's call was the first since August :confused:

Any advice from fellow providers would be so appreciated!! I'm also contemplating an open house, any advice on that? I'm so looking forward to getting to know you guys, and thanks in advance for helping me out!!

~Trish

[Scout]

No advice as I am in a similar situation(minus being licensed). But, wanted to tell you to hang in there if you can! I keep saying to myself that the first client is going to be the hardest to find! " If you build it, they will come!" Lol. Good luck! Someone had mentioned( think blackcat) to hand out business cards with halloween candy so I think I may do that. it cant hurt, right!

[Blackcat31]

Hi Everyone,

So the main reason I picked today to register for this wonderful forum is because I need some help. Here's a quick background. I became licensed and officially opened to clients over the summer. Although my website does get hits, I have had only 3 calls in the last few months. The first two were for infants (we're only taking 2 and up) and the second call yesterday, but because of bussing issues with the potential clients home district it would not have worked out, as much as she was loving the program

Help! . I've sent out mailers through Vistaprint, put up signs in town, have a lawn sign, posted on CL, I'm registered with my county's referral agency - I've even e-mailed realtors and local businesses (I live in a small town, but we have a super active community). After yesterday's potential being shut down, I'm more frustrated than ever. I know things take time, but I was hoping to at least have more phone calls or e-mails - yesterday's call was the first since August :confused:

Any advice from fellow providers would be so appreciated!! I'm also contemplating an open house, any advice on that? I'm so looking forward to getting to know you guys, and thanks in advance for helping me out!!

~Trish

I think an open house would be a greatw ay to show off your place and to help area folks get to know you! I have never done an open house but LOVE the idea!!

I also think with the holidays coming up, why not try and advertise for one time events such as a parent shopping day? Advertise that you will take drop in kids so parents can get their Christmas shopping done without their little ones in tow.

I know it can be frustrating and I wish I had answers for you but I can tell you that this business definitely ebbs and flows. Some months I am bombarded with calls and other months, the phone doesn't ring.

IME, the busiest times for parents looking are over the holidays through the new year, the begining and the end of the school year.

Hang in there. It can be tough! Sending good vibes your way for the phone to ring!

[MarinaVanessa]

The open house idea is great. I don't know if you have kids that will be trick or treating or not but if you don't or if your husband can take them can you try having a holloween themed open house on Halloween? As in dress up your main living area in halloween decor, set up some cookies or snacks, pixie cups with punch and have the candy inside your home. Then strategically also have your daycare stuff set up so that people can see that you do daycare?

If you have a front yard you could do this there instead of inside your home which would probably be less creepy ::. I would suggest putting out small snacks and drinks (maybe some coffee or hot chocolate for the adults), having a child's table and chairs, maybe some climbing equipment (like the fisher price stuff). I would set up a few big bin containers as sensory tables and fill one with rice, one with beans and one with clean sand etc. (I wouldn't use water, I wouldn't my trick or treater getting wet). You can probably set up another small area with another table and chairs and put a bin with crayons and paper on it. Or even with some Mega Blocks or Duplos if you like. Sort of like setting up centers. You can even decide to have a pre-cut Halloween craft that the kids can do quickly or put together a treasure map or scavenger hunt in your front yard in order for the kids to earn their treasure (candy). Have your business card attached to their candy. Even if the parents throw your card out they'll remember your home and think of you if they ever need or know of someone that needs daycare . Chances are they live close since they are walking. If I think of anything else I'll post more ideas.

Advertising Your Daycare

[Trish]

Thanks for the ideas and support ladies I really like the idea of offering shopping days - I think that'd go over real well, and I'd have time to create fliers and such! As much as I love the idea of doing a special for Halloween, we live out in the country and trick or treaters don't come out - although that would have been a blast!

[Blackcat31]

Thanks for the ideas and support ladies I really like the idea of offering shopping days - I think that'd go over real well, and I'd have time to create fliers and such! As much as I love the idea of doing a special for Halloween, we live out in the country and trick or treaters don't come out - although that would have been a blast!

You could always go to a friends house in town and hand out treat bags with your cards. Or even a local community event.

Here our local mall puts on a huge Halloween party for the kids as a safety precaution so the little ones don't need to go door to door trick or treating and instead go store to store. If you have something similar in your community, you could go there and hand out cards with treats.

[Trish]

Thats a good idea! I think one of the local fire departments has an event for the kids.

Do you think I should offer an incentive for parents who might take advantage of the shopping days if they decide to enroll their child full or part time? Like one week at a discounted rate?

[MarinaVanessa]

Thats a good idea! I think one of the local fire departments has an event for the kids.

Do you think I should offer an incentive for parents who might take advantage of the shopping days if they decide to enroll their child full or part time? Like one week at a discounted rate?

I would deffinetely do that (you might want to ask for permission first before handing out any flyers at a community event).

I like the idea of offering discounts but make sure that you make fine print as in "50% off of a week of childcare after 4 weeks of enrollment/attendance" etc. The last thing you want is someone coming for a week of discounted childcare an then never see them again.

[Trish]

Okay, so I created ads and flyers for our "Weekend Watch Program". Opinions and advice welcome


As the busy Holiday Season approaches, we are sure you have lots to accomplish on weekends. Let us help! Munchkin Meadow Child Care is proud to offer the Weekend Watch Program for children ages 2 - 12. Parents have the option to take advantage of either full or half day sessions for their child on either or both weekend days. Every day will offer a theme and be filled with a wide range of theme related activities.

"Weekend Watch" Weekends in November:
17th and 18th
23rd (Black Friday)
24th, 25th

"Weekend Watch" Weekends in December:
1st and 2nd
8th and 9th
15th and 16th
22nd and 23rd
29th and 30th

Available Sessions:
Full Day: 9:00 - 4:00
Morning Session: 9:00 - 12:45
Afternoon Session: 1:15 - 5:00

Spots are limited in each session, so contact us as soon as possible to guarantee a spot for your child! www.MunchkinMeadow.com

[Soccermom]

Okay, so I created ads and flyers for our "Weekend Watch Program". Opinions and advice welcome


As the busy Holiday Season approaches, we are sure you have lots to accomplish on weekends. Let us help! Munchkin Meadow Child Care is proud to offer the Weekend Watch Program for children ages 2 - 12. Parents have the option to take advantage of either full or half day sessions for their child on either or both weekend days. Every day will offer a theme and be filled with a wide range of theme related activities.

"Weekend Watch" Weekends in November:
17th and 18th
23rd (Black Friday)
24th, 25th

"Weekend Watch" Weekends in December:
1st and 2nd
8th and 9th
15th and 16th
22nd and 23rd
29th and 30th

Available Sessions:
Full Day: 9:00 - 4:00
Morning Session: 9:00 - 12:45
Afternoon Session: 1:15 - 5:00

Spots are limited in each session, so contact us as soon as possible to guarantee a spot for your child! www.MunchkinMeadow.com

Looks good to me! Hope you get some response..You could even offer a - Tell a friend discount when they call. They get a better rate if they tell a friend and their friend enrolls their child for a session.
I would add in some details about what types of activities you plan on doing with the children to motivate the parents a little.

[Blackcat31]

Looks great!!

I sure wish they had something like this when my kids were young!

Hoping you have a great turn out!