Just Got Licensed

[Nextgen]

Hi I just got licensed about a week ago, but I don't have any children I was really depending on a program here in my county to provide children and that did not work out. I have been giving out flyers now for about a week, and haven't gotten any calls to even come and view the home. Does anyone have any other ideas about how I can get children in my home daycare? I live in an area where it is filled with daycare centers and home daycare's. I cannot begin to tell you what I have gone through to get licensed the money I have spent, the time, and the help I've had from friends to modify my home, and the many obstacles I've had to overcome to get licensed. Please can someone share what you did to get children or just some ideas on how to get children. I don't want to just get licensed and then have to close.

[SunnyDay]

I suggest creating a website and advertising on Craigslist. Good luck!!

[Willow]

With all the daycares already in business in the area did you scope them out and see what they had to offer, what they charged, what hours they offered, what level of education and certifications they had, what sort of play spaces they had set up etc?

If you did how do they compare to what you have to offer?

It might be a matter of simply needing to be patient being the new provider in town, or it might be that you need to adjust a bit for at least awhile to be competitive and build your reputation and experience level.

[Nextgen]

Just go licensed

No it is so many I am not really able to just scope them all out, but I will try a few. My price I think is competitive for the area, and what I need to run my home and daycare. I did register with 2 governmental agencies that do subsidized daycare maybe someone will see my name on the list and call me.

[snbauser]

It takes a lot longer than a week to get kids or to even get calls. This time of year most people are set where they are for at least the rest of the school year. Your next rush of kids will be people looking for summer care but those calls won't start coming for a few more months.

[ashleyh]

I would suggest calling some daycare providers in the area with a similar program that you really like, let them know youre beginning your own daycare but would like to have a place you can refer business too if you can fit a families needs. I have one gal who is across town from me that I do this with and it helps. I haven't seen business from it that I know of (atleast no one has said she was the one referring them to me) but gets the name out there in the "circle of trust" so to speak

[Nextgen]

Just got Licensed

Thanks that is a great idea! I am taking everybody's advice this.

[itlw8]

It will happen but not in a week. infant care is what most people are looking for. I do not have much luck with newspaper ads but if you say you have an infant opening you surely will get at least 1 call. Let people at church know you have openings word of mouth is always the best. Give them some business cards so if someone at work complains about their childcare they will remember your card in their purse.

[kitykids3]

It takes time to get kiddos, especially nowadays and when you first open. Be patient. They will come. In the meantime, check out your competition and see if you can offer different/more. Good luck

[melilley]

Hi! I just officially opened yesterday. I put an ad on CL yesterday afternoon and actually got 1 text (the lady said her name was Monalisa so I think it was someone who just wanted to know what I charge-who knows) and one call-one like 2 hours after and one like 4 hours after. The person who called ended up setting up an interview for Monday! I too have a lot of in home and center daycare's in my area. I just came in in the middle on price (for home daycares, centers are outrageous!) and my times are the norm. I'm also going to get business cards to hand out, I always talk to people at stores. I have heard by others on here that this time of the year is a slow time in terms of people calling/needing childcare. Good luck!

[DaisyMamma]

Craigslist is where I get most of my business.
Care.com let's you put a free line listing for a daycare.
Go to google and search : daycare, your town, state and childcare, your town, state.
The results will be some local places, but below that are the organic search results, which are mostly pages that offer listings of daycares in your area. Add your daycare to any of those pages that you can find.
Add your business to google places so that your name shows up at the top with the other daycares.
Get listed here on daycare.com.

[DaisyMamma]

Oh, and it took me a year+ to get established. I still have one space available. 2 kids I have are temporary.
It takes a while to get your name out there, but it will happen.
Work on a website and adding your name to other websites.
Oh, and call local daycares that are full and ask them to refer you.