New With Questions???

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  • MommyMuffin
    Daycare.com Member
    • Jun 2010
    • 860
    #1

    New With Questions???

    Hi all,
    I am opening in November and have been putting ads up, finally i got an email. Asking my rates in the email. My rates are average for the area. So I want to have 5 kids lined up when I open in November, so far I have one! I have 68 days left to advertise and fill up, I am not feeling optimistic because of so many providers and little to no response from my first 2 ads.
    I dont know if I should email her back with rates or ask her to come for an interview first? Do I put my rates as low as possible since I am just starting?
    what do you guys think?
    Tags: new business
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    • marniewon
      Daycare.com Member
      • Aug 2010
      • 897
      #2
      If your rates are average, I would send it in an email, but also think of ways you are unique to those around you (better location, near a great park, field trips, preschool, etc) and state that also, in some way.

      It takes time to get kids. I got licensed in August of 2009 but didn't get my first child until November. I guess no one wanted to be first! After that they started trickling in. I'm still not full, but have 3 full timers and 2 part timers. Whatever you do, do NOT lower your rates to get kids in there. You can a little bit, but it's very hard to raise them once you get the kids in there. I know, because that's exactly what I did - lowered my rates way below what others are charging to get kids in here and now I'm stuck at those low rates.

      Good luck!
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        • melissa ann
          Senior Member
          • Jun 2009
          • 736
          #3
          marniewon: why are you "stuck" at your low rates? do you not give yourself a "raise" ever? $1 a day increase is not too much for people to handle, imo.

          Mommymuffin: I started advertising in the fall of 2007 and finally got kids in March 2008. Just hang in there. IT'll happen.
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            • marniewon
              Daycare.com Member
              • Aug 2010
              • 897
              #4
              Originally posted by melissa ann
              marniewon: why are you "stuck" at your low rates? do you not give yourself a "raise" ever? $1 a day increase is not too much for people to handle, imo.
              I have not yet reached my 1 year mark with any families. After the first family I did raise rates a little bit, which means that I am charging families different prices I have considered raising rates when new contracts are signed.
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