*Sigh*

[BumbleBee]

Enrolled 2 infants from 2 seperate families less than 2 weeks ago. Both babies did wonderfully. I officially had 3 kids (all pt but I'll take it). Then Friday happened. Lost both babies due to job restructuring. Back to 1 kid.

There is a possibility that I'll get 1 back full time but it's up in the air. The other one, I'm not so sure.

It just feels...I don't even know. I'm giving out upwards of 100 business cards a month, I talk to everybody about my program, I read stories at the library once a week as a volunteer, I wear my "work shirt" whenever I am out, I'm volunteering in a church nursery of a church I don't even attend! I've got ads in the paper, every bulletin board I can find for public postings, on cl, fb business page, multiple other child care sites. I've put in written columns for the weekly paper on child development & they have been run. I feel like a hamster on a wheel some days.

I know I'll get there but it feels like 1 step forward, 2 steps back some days.

[cheerfuldom]

i am sorry. that is all really discouraging.

a couple of thoughts....

are you getting ANY interest in the daycare? are you getting emails and then not seeing interviews? are you getting interviews and then not seeing enrollment? that might help us advise you as far as what might be the issue with the parents

are you sure your rates and services are competitive?

as for advertising, I find by far the best options for me are Craigslist, word of mouth/Facebook (check out local facebook groups for moms in your area and many will allow some advertising!) and also, passing out flyers door to door in your neighborhood.

[BumbleBee]

i am sorry. that is all really discouraging.

a couple of thoughts....

are you getting ANY interest in the daycare? are you getting emails and then not seeing interviews? are you getting interviews and then not seeing enrollment? that might help us advise you as far as what might be the issue with the parents

are you sure your rates and services are competitive?

as for advertising, I find by far the best options for me are Craigslist, word of mouth/Facebook (check out local facebook groups for moms in your area and many will allow some advertising!) and also, passing out flyers door to door in your neighborhood.

Thanks Cheer, good questions. I am getting some interest in the daycare. I'm getting phone calls/e-mails and after corresponding that way I'm not getting interviews. Out of 5 face to face interviews I've gotten 3 kids (then lost 2 due to parent job loss). I'll double check on the rates, I set mine smack dab in the middle of the range in this area. As far as services I'll double check on that as well.

Thanks again

[MarinaVanessa]

You might also want to think about what the unemployment ratio is in your area and what the demand for childcare is in your area. I know that ever since the budget cuts and job loss it seems as though some areas have it really rough. If you have a local resource and referral office I'd call them, and licensing for that matter to check to see if your area is oversaturated with child care options. Lots and lots of stay at home moms are offering low-cost childcare options now and more and more people have lost jobs and have taken to started their own daycare at home so there's lot's more competition.