Making the First Steps to Officially Open

[craftymissbeth]

I received my temporary FCC license the beginning of this month. I'm almost completely ready to start taking children and I'm really just needing a few more toys.

My problem is that I'm terrified of even starting to advertise! I'm not sure what my deal is. I think that some of it is the fear that I'm not truly as ready as I think I am as far as the space and environment goes. Some of it is maybe just being naturally nervous that I'm starting this whole new crazy adventure.


Did you just *know* that you were ready to open before you started advertising or did you start advertising while you were still preparing your space/program?

[bunnyslippers]

I started advertising and interviewing before my space was even close to complete. For me, I didn't have the choice to wait. I needed to know I would have clients on the first day of school, or I had to find a different job.

I had my handbook and contract ready to go when I started interviewing. I also had a display board made up, with plans for my completed space, right down to photos of the products I planned to purchase. I started interviewing in May, and officially opened the last week in August. My first day, we literally put the finishing touches on the space at 4:30 a.m. I opened at 7:00 to a full house. I have been full ever since!

It is intimidating to start the process, and the fear of failure is ever present. Just be confident in the program you are going to have, and you will get the clients you need.

Good Luck to you!

[butterfly]

I remember being nervous. For me, I was mostly nervous about interviewing people and making sure I had the right fit and at the same time feeling like I might just have to take anyone to get full and be able to make a living. I'm a pretty strong intravert, so that's where my fear came from.

At the time I started, I didn't have dedicated space for daycare. I'm really quite surprised anyone liked my set up. It was very cramped and crowded, but I did have experience and I think that helped a bunch.

I wish you luck. It's an exciting, rewarding adventure!

:hug:

[JoseyJo]

I'm in Kansas too!

What part of KS are you in? I'm in Topeka My hubby and I have a group daycare in our home. We normally take 9 children ages 2 1/2 to 6 years (sometimes we take 18 months and up, depends on the group and the child).

We advertise openings on our website and on Craigslist. We are also listed with our local referral service (ERC) but hardly ever get referrals from them. We don't have openings very often but when we do we usually fill them within 1 month or so. We do have a waiting list but for that age group people usually aren't willing to wait on a list and will find care elsewhere if there isn't an opening.

I have seen new daycares that are not open yet advertising on Craigslist- it seems that when they offer "extras" that the spots fill up, but if they dont then the spots are much slower to fill. By extras I mean a preschool curriculum, no TV, field trips, special diets, etc.

[craftymissbeth]

What part of KS are you in? I'm in Topeka My hubby and I have a group daycare in our home. We normally take 9 children ages 2 1/2 to 6 years (sometimes we take 18 months and up, depends on the group and the child).

I have seen new daycares that are not open yet advertising on Craigslist- it seems that when they offer "extras" that the spots fill up, but if they dont then the spots are much slower to fill. By extras I mean a preschool curriculum, no TV, field trips, special diets, etc.

I'm in El Dorado about a half an hour from Wichita

I'm planning on taking all ages at least to start out with... I'm sure I'll change my mind later on and make changes, but initially I feel like I just NEED to take whoever. I know that's maybe not the smartest way to do it, but there are more than 20 daycares here and we don't have a large population.

As far as curriculum, I really don't have one. I'm a big advocate of play-based learning (not out-of-control-chaos-whatever-the-child-wants-to-do freeplay, but definitely child-guided) and that may just come back to bite me. I do offer a different type of rate scale than what is typical in this area. In fact, I don't think anyone else uses it. I "borrowed" (aka stole ) it from nannyde. And, at least initially, I'll be offering day time care as well as afternoon/evening care, which is not typical of this area... I also "borrowed" (see admission of theft above) nannyde's 2nd shift schedule that she used when she did 2nd shift care.

That being said, I'm well aware of the very high risk of burnout with everything I'm trying to do. I am fully prepared and expecting to cut down on some things and change things around once I become established, but I feel that getting my name out there and getting those initial clients is important for me.



Thank you for responding, everyone! If anyone else has any other ideas/comments let me know


ETA: I may also do a once a month "slumber part" on Saturday nights... but since regulations say we have to be awake for overnights, I might just put a stop to that idea!

[daycarediva]

CONFIDENCE! My dh gave me amazing advice when I started over 7 years ago and I was SO SCARED about how well I was going to do caring for 6 more kids, being pushed around and disrespected by families, etc. He said "Honey, fake it 'til you make it." That really is all there is to it. Be confident in yourself, your space, your program, with the kids and with the parents and it WILL go better.

I would start advertising now, get enrollment packets ready, look as professional as possible.


Congratulations!

[craftymissbeth]

CONFIDENCE! My dh gave me amazing advice when I started over 7 years ago and I was SO SCARED about how well I was going to do caring for 6 more kids, being pushed around and disrespected by families, etc. He said "Honey, fake it 'til you make it." That really is all there is to it. Be confident in yourself, your space, your program, with the kids and with the parents and it WILL go better.

I would start advertising now, get enrollment packets ready, look as professional as possible.


Congratulations!

That's awesome advice! Thank you!

[MsLaura529]

Congratulations!

I just opened (a couple weeks ago) officially ... well, I guess I can't really say "opened" since I don't have any DC kids yet, but I have my license and everything is all ready and waiting ...

I actually started advertising about a month before I got my license, saying that I would be open in Spring ... that way I could at least start getting my name out there. Apparently, it didn't help But enough of me and my pity party, haha.

Good luck!

[jenn]

I'm in Wichita!

Relax, you will do fine.

My advice is to have packets ready for parents (handbook, contract, KDHE forms,...) and have the indoor/outdoor kid areas looking clean, colorful, and ready for kids. Be confident and professional during interviews.

As far as arrangement of the kid areas and having that totally done, mine changes all the time. It depends on the ages I have, the toys that are out, and just when I need to change things up for sanity. You just need it to look ready. You can change things as needed.

Good luck and have fun!

[JoseyJo]

If you really adore taking care of infants then all the power to you!! We tried it a few times and it seemed like 50% of our attention was focused on one infant leaving only 50% for all of the other toddlers and preschoolers in our care. Infant spots always fill up fast so you shouldn't have any problem getting a couple of little ones to start out with. Parents also like to get on a waiting list when pregnant so that will help too.

I don't know that the type of program matters as much as HAVING a program. Alot of our interviews specifically mention that they called because they want to make sure that the TV isn't the babysitter.

We had a slumber party last November and it was alot of fun! I didn't charge for it, it was a bday present for my nephew who has aged out of our daycare so he could spend time with his friends who are still in our care. It was a LOT of work- and I was very tired the next day. I don't think I would want to do it on a regular basis, or for the money, but it was fun

[AmyKidsCo]

Here's the thing - you're never 100% "ready" because there's always something you want to add or change, depending on the children you have at the time, your needs at the time, etc. So make sure you've got the basics covered, then jump in and be prepared to make changes as you go along.

[craftymissbeth]

Thank you, everyone!

I've just finished editing my handbook for the last time and am getting ready to print it out and put the packets all together.

Taking infants is on the it-will-more-than-likely-change list

I'm so stinking excited to open up I can barely contain myself!

[mamac]

I haven't officially opened yet either. I am planning on opening in late August for the school year. I haven't started advertising yet because I am on the process of deciding how to register my business name. I'm only listed with the state licensing website but I've already had 5 or 6 inquiries just from that. I had my first 2 interviews this past week and I've already got my first client starting in Sept.

I would say start advertising as soon as you can so that when you are ready to open you will have clients ready to pay you. I didn't require my client to sign a contract yet until I officially start advertising only because I don't feel comfortable taking her money before I am actively looking for clients. I wouldn't worry about being "finished" with your space before you interview. I showed them my completely demolished basement and pointed out the areas I expected to have and they were completely fine with it. They understood it was a work in progress.

As far as the first interviews you will figure out what you need to do differently after each one. I thought I sounded like a complete idiot for the first one. I forgot to print my rate sheet, didn't mention half the things I offered, stumbled over my words, had that deer in the headlights look.... The second interview I still felt weird, nervous, and scared but I felt I did a much better job. It does get easier. Oh- and the first interview is the one that called back so I guess I wasn't that bad!


Good luck to you!! happyface

Oh and btw- pp was correct. You'll never be done with your handbook. I thought I was D.O.N.E. and just today I came across something on this forum that I wanted to add.

[MyAngels]

Do you know anyone who either has kids or recently had kids in daycare? You could do some "mock" interviews to see what they think of your program and environment. That might give you more confidence when you get those first calls.

I thought of this because my DS is currently job hunting and he's been "mock" interviewing with my other DS who is already established in his career.

[Blackcat31]

Thank you, everyone!

I've just finished editing my handbook for the last time and am getting ready to print it out and put the packets all together.

Taking infants is on the it-will-more-than-likely-change list

I'm so stinking excited to open up I can barely contain myself!

:: trust me, it won't be the last time.

I am sure you will be just fine! Kids are easy.....it's the relationships and interactions with parents that is tough.

Especially if you don't share the same parenting styles or beliefs.

If I could ONLY give one piece of advice to newbies....it would be to be very choosey about the families you enroll.

Try to take families that have the same philosophies as you do about parenting and child rearing.

That makes it so much easier to communicate and understand where each other is coming from.

Even if your handbook covers everything you can think of, there will still be that "one family" that will teach you how to use your backbone, how to word things in 12 different ways and mean the same thing and what things you forgot or need to elaborate on.

Everyone has had (or has) that "one family" and although I truly believe ALL experiences are opportunities for learning, that "one family" will teach you MORE than any other.

Don't worry though.....it's those types of experiences that define our true character and say the most about who we are as women, caregivers and professionals.

You seem to be doing everything you can to be the best provider you can and I am sure you will do just fine!!

Now get out there and advertise!