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How long did it take for you to fill your first few spots? I am newly licensed, in fact received it this Monday. I have had some calls and a few interviews. I charge slightly higher than the average because there are always two of us present and we both have elementary education licenses, early childhood, and teaching preschool experience. Should I lower my rates to fill spots or does that seem reasonable and wait it out? Also it seems hard to fill the 'first' preschool spot because they would be the only child. What has your experience been?
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I think it really depends on the need for care in your area.
I also think that parents aren't always concerned about your degrees as most of them are looking for good quality care.
Most child care providers do some sort of curriculum during their day but most parents aren't willing to always pay more just because you are a licensed teacher as well as a licensed provider...kwim?
I too have an ECE degree and I know most my parents could care less.
Also, welcome to the forum!
I am also in MN! -
I made the switch from nanny share to home provider in March. I filled up infants spots immediately with plenty of people on wait lists, but I am still struggling to fill my 2 toddler spots. (Plenty of part timers, but I really want all full timers).
Because I was doing a nanny-share- I was able to have those families reach out for me, and that really helped. Maybe ask a couple of your friends who work in offices to spread the word?
I agree with PP that it depends on your area. My rates are about $50 higher than other home daycares in my area, and it has never been a problem.
I find people who contact me through care.com are willing to pay higher than those who contact through craigslist if that helps at all.Comment
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Its pretty common for new providers to get a flood of interest from daycare hoppers, daycare shoppers, and even other providers scoping out the competition. Since most parents have no clue about how hard taking care of a group of youngsters is, most will not fully appreciate your education and not too many will be willing to pay more for it.....unless you have some things to back it up. A great set up that is clean, tidy, modern, "extras" for their kids that other preschools can't offer. a couple of things that come to mind is a second language, music/art/gymnastics or if you are able to market to a particular set of parents that have high standards. for instance, eco friendly families would want cloth diapering, gardening, recycling, chemical free cleaning products, organic foods at the meals. you see what I am getting at. the fact that you have two providers on hand does set you apart a bit but it just depends on the demand in the area. a lot of home daycares in my area have assistants so its not that special here. and there are a lot of home daycares so while training and experience are important to some folks, many others just want cheap or discounted rates.Comment
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I have found that this is true for me as well. I have acquired some clients because I graduated college as a certified teacher, but others simply do not care at all. In fact, most of them do not care at all. I think it's not such a "big thing" because they call everyone a teacher when you work in the daycare business. Even the 18-year-old girls who have never had any continuing education courses about children/have minimal experience with children in the daycare centers are called teachers.
I actually do preschool and have a degree but I charge the same exact rate as in-home daycares in the area. I DO operate less hours than they do (8:00-5:00, but will open at 7:00 on an occasional basis).Comment
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