Newspaper Ads?

[Josiegirl]

It sounds like lots of you will be dealing with low enrollment this fall, as will I. In all the 30+ years I've been doing this I haven't had to officially place an ad for at least 25 of them. I might be down to only one child this fall. I'm supporting myself and figure I need at least 4 to be able to stay in childcare.

Soooo, looks like it's time to place an ad in the paper and maybe a couple posters around town. Since you pay by the amount of words in an ad, I'd like to get advice on what is most important to list, what might most attract clients, etc. Thanks for any help!!!

[melilley]

I have never put an ad in the paper, I'm not so sure many people read the paper anymore, especially to find childcare (well at least around here) so I wonder if it would be worth paying for an ad? You could also put an ad on Craigslist and it's free. I have gotten all of my clients from putting an ad on there and it's super easy to do! I like the idea to put up posters!

Good Luck!

[Familycare71]

I have never put an ad in the paper, I'm not so sure many people read the paper anymore, especially to find childcare (well at least around here) so I wonder if it would be worth paying for an ad? You could also put an ad on Craigslist and it's free. I have gotten all of my clients from putting an ad on there and it's super easy to do! I like the idea to put up posters!

Good Luck!

I also haven't put an ad in the paper in years!! But that said: if my enrollment doesn't pick up I just might try it!!

[MyAngels]

I have not done an ad in the paper for years, but when I did it was short and sweet. Something like "Licensed childcare, M-F, call (phone #)." There were not many ads, so everyone is going to call all of them.

Even though circulation has dropped drastically for printed papers, most have an online version and the ads are listed there, too, I'm sure so it might not be a bad idea.

[KIDZRMYBIZ]

Suggestions

In my state, my DHHS has a roster of all licensed providers by zip code, which is where I get the majority of my calls.

After that, there is a website someone created for the city and outlying areas I live in. That costs me only $25/yr for a page on that, and I get lots of inquiries and leads from that. Maybe there is something like that already in place in your area that you can google.

I've had excellent results from Craig's List, too. The best part is it's FREE, so it's worth it to sort through the spam!

Lastly, word-of-mouth works great, too. Don't be afraid to pimp yourself out, and network with other area providers and agree to refer one another to families when you are full or is not a good fit for your own program.

[Blackcat31]

It's funny how different each area is. ALOT of child care providers advertise in the newspaper here and NO ONE uses Craig's List here. Our Craig's List is a joke.

Most my clients come from word of mouth and/or through our area Early Childhood programs such as ECFE and Head Start. If you participate in the star rating system, both ECFE and Head Start will refer families to your program.

[melilley]

It's funny how different each area is. ALOT of child care providers advertise in the newspaper here and NO ONE uses Craig's List here. Our Craig's List is a joke.

That is funny! Here, our classified section in the newspaper is almost down to nothing. I don't think they even have a childcare section anymore....

[Josiegirl]

I keep forgetting CraigsList. I will post something there to be sure. I also need to update my openings, etc. through our local resource agency.
I have lots of people who are spreading the word for me, my current dcps, my friends, even my sister who's a dental hygienist. My food program woman says she gives my name out too and she doesn't give out very many providers' names. I thought that was really nice of her.
I saw the other thread that discussed a week free after signing up and paying for a certain number of weeks. I may have to try that.

I just want to make a unique ad, something that will catch peoples' eye.

[daycare]

I keep forgetting CraigsList. I will post something there to be sure. I also need to update my openings, etc. through our local resource agency.
I have lots of people who are spreading the word for me, my current dcps, my friends, even my sister who's a dental hygienist. My food program woman says she gives my name out too and she doesn't give out very many providers' names. I thought that was really nice of her.
I saw the other thread that discussed a week free after signing up and paying for a certain number of weeks. I may have to try that.

I just want to make a unique ad, something that will catch peoples' eye.

you can advertise on care.com for about 20 a month or something like that.... I did 3 months for 40

[MyAngels]

You can also get a listing here on Daycare.com. I have no idea how it works, only that it's available.

[cheerfuldom]

I do craigslist and also, all the mom groups I can find on Facebook. they are groups formed for moms to buy/sell/trade items or just to gather and discuss parenting topics and many of them will allow self promotion. i dont pay for advertising on sittercity.com or care.com but I will go there and see if I can fill any of the posts by the parents and then I email the parents directly.

[LK5kids]

When I opened last winter I used ads in the paper. I live in a small, rural area. Craigslist isn't used in our area for childcare.

I got calls each time I put ads in the paper. People still read our small town paper! It let people know I was out here. I also began a Facebook page, put up flyers, made a sign for my front porch and put a magnetic sign on my car.

I am not licensed yet, when will the state ever get it done, ugh! Anyway, I am not on a referral list for the county yet because of that.

The one thing that has helped me the most is that I have worked with children and families in this area for 20 + years in various professions.