Making the First Steps to Officially Open

[craftymissbeth]

:: 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!

:: I'm done editing for today

[Cradle2crayons]

Mock interviews are awesome ideas. And as much as I like to role play with the kids about feelings why didn't I ever think of that?(forehead slap).

I have gotten the majority of my clients from one flyer placed at the local mom and pop grocery store. I did one of those with the pull off strips at the bottom. I got one client as word of mouth. And another current client from my local nurse practitioner. She's a mainstay in our community. She even responds to volunteer fire department calls!!!!

My special needs child I got from answering HER ad on Craigslist . Kinda funny how that happened. She actually lives an hour away. Drives her daughter here, then travels 40 minutes to work and then rinse and repeat. She's currently in the hospital though.. Just had another major GI surgery (prayers if you do that please)

[craftymissbeth]

I'm currently on the hunt for some people to do some mock interviews with. Love the idea! happyface

[Cradle2crayons]

Also, if you have kids of your own, pretend you are interviewing a provider... What would you need to know before placing your child there?

[mrsmartin2007]

Leaving my job in a few weeks

I will be quitting my job in 5 short weeks to take on this new career and I am so nervous. I just received all my marketing materials by mail on yesterday but I already have a waiting list after my 12 are completely registered. Looking for ideas and tips on interviewing part time assistants. What do you require from them before you offer them the position?happyfacehappyfacehappyfacehappyfacehappyface

[Blackcat31]

I will be quitting my job in 5 short weeks to take on this new career and I am so nervous. I just received all my marketing materials by mail on yesterday but I already have a waiting list after my 12 are completely registered. Looking for ideas and tips on interviewing part time assistants. What do you require from them before you offer them the position?happyfacehappyfacehappyfacehappyfacehappyface

Here are some other threads about finding, hiring and using an assistant

https://www.daycare.com/forum/tags.php?tag=assistant

Congratulations of your new beginning!

[craftymissbeth]

I will be quitting my job in 5 short weeks to take on this new career and I am so nervous. I just received all my marketing materials by mail on yesterday but I already have a waiting list after my 12 are completely registered. Looking for ideas and tips on interviewing part time assistants. What do you require from them before you offer them the position?happyfacehappyfacehappyfacehappyfacehappyface

happyface Just kidding! Congratulations! happyface

[mrsmartin2007]

Thanks Blackcat31!!!
Craftymissbeth, Funny!!! Thanks!!!::::

[melilley]

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!

Lol, so true!!! No matter how nervous you are, never let the families see that!

[melilley]

Congratulations! I was really nervous at first, but when my first family came, it wasn't so bad! My space was done although I thought my outdoor space was incomplete, but parents loved it! I'm sure if they like you, they won't care if you don't have a few toys! At least garage sales are here now!
There is some really good advice from everyone! I'm sure you will do great so get out and advertise!!!
Craigslist is where I found all of my families!
Oh, and it's true, your handbook will never be complete!