"Niche Market"

[BrooklynM]

My neighbor ran a successful daycare for over 20 years for teachers. She was amazing. It worked for her, summers off and the schedule was nice, she was just open when the schools were open. She recently closed due to a health related issue. I need the money year round, but in the future, this is something I am considering.

Since I have Celiac, my daycare is 100% Gluten free. I am also bleach free as well. I use an EPA approved disinfectant called PureGreen24. I highly recommend it. I am not 100% organic, but I am organic as much as I can be. I have some plastic toys, hind site is 20/20, I would do that over again if I could. In time, I would like to certify myself as a green daycare. I'm not ready for that yet. Even with my own personal products (skin care, makeup, etc) I am working on reading all labels and making more informed purchases. In this area, it's important and you can charge for it!

[Sunchimes]

I didn't plan it this way, and I don't really know what to call it, but I have become sort of a theraputic home. I had one of my kids enter the Early Intervention program. I welcomed the therapists into the house like they were family, and I started reading everything they gave me to learn more about what we were dealing with. I would love to go back to school in this field, but I'm too old now. They wanted to do a therapy that is very intense and they rarely use because care givers can't usually manage it. I could, and I do. As it turns out, in our town, there are no fcc that will participate in therapy. They were thrilled to find me, and when I had an opening, they passed the word on to a family that would benefit. They said that any time I had an opening, they would fill it (unofficially) for me.

I really love what I'm doing now. I'm working a lot harder, but it suits me. I have always loved watching the kids grow and learn, but the things I'm seeing now are so much deeper. I am really making a difference to these kids by listening to the therapists and trying to learn how to help. On a totally unrelated note, for the first time I have parents who value what I'm doing and treat me as much more than a babysitter. They say thank you at least once a week!

[daycarediva]

Do you serve all organic foods? What about toys? Cleaning supplies? Curious as we do organic, local foods and I am thinking about doing more with other aspects of my program.

Can't do cleaning because of the bleach mandate in regs. Food, and as much of the environment that I can control.

[snbauser]

I cater to school employees with my schedule and I offer a preschool program in a smaller more intimate classroom. I only do 2 1/2 - 5 and run a preschool program the same as any center would - well maybe better .

[BrooklynM]

Can't do cleaning because of the bleach mandate in regs. Food, and as much of the environment that I can control.

Are you allowed to use an EPA approved disinfectant? We can in California. I thought it was allowed in all states?? What state are you in?

[Unregistered]

This is holiday park. my tablet signed me out.

Non vaccinating, cloth diapering,EC, breastfeeding, scheduling / non AP. I plan to just offer infant care, whenever I re open. With a max age of 18 months before they age out. We will see how 5hat will play out. I do actually have 1 potential cli3nt who does not beleive in vaccines, who says she is interested in starting her child a few months. I know she is wcam either. I have also done care for another family who didn't do shots. Which is interesting how we found each other being my area I live in is very pro vaccines.

[Cat Herder]

I wonder what this means?? How do you do this? I have CNA training so I think I would be fine here in MD.

(Sorry for the delay. I was sorting bulletin boards & changing themes for Halloween (from fall)... then I started rearranging stuff... by the time I was slowed down (10 minutes ago) the entire room was redone. )

Back to topic: I am a current National Registry and Critical Care Paramedic. I also have MAPP (foster care), Fire Science 1&2 and Community Resource Coordinator 2 Training for my State. I work under direct medical supervision of my clients pediatricians (some are bossier than others :: ). RX care if you will.... (Spina Bifida, Prematurity, Cardiac, Renal, Feeding Tubes, IDDM, etc.)

I am also "Full Care". I heard so many complaints about dirty kids from parents coming from centers I felt this set me apart. I bathe, clip nails, do hair, do laundry, etc. Kids leave "Dressed for dinner" and often arrive in jammies. The only thing the parents provide is a couple changes of clothing upon enrollment, I swap them out as needed to keep size current. This method also has the advantage of being able to minimize illness in the children in my care. The word of mouth from this alone has been huge.

[Familycare71]

I didn't plan it this way, and I don't really know what to call it, but I have become sort of a theraputic home. I had one of my kids enter the Early Intervention program. I welcomed the therapists into the house like they were family, and I started reading everything they gave me to learn more about what we were dealing with. I would love to go back to school in this field, but I'm too old now. They wanted to do a therapy that is very intense and they rarely use because care givers can't usually manage it. I could, and I do. As it turns out, in our town, there are no fcc that will participate in therapy. They were thrilled to find me, and when I had an opening, they passed the word on to a family that would benefit. They said that any time I had an opening, they would fill it (unofficially) for me.

I really love what I'm doing now. I'm working a lot harder, but it suits me. I have always loved watching the kids grow and learn, but the things I'm seeing now are so much deeper. I am really making a difference to these kids by listening to the therapists and trying to learn how to help. On a totally unrelated note, for the first time I have parents who value what I'm doing and treat me as much more than a babysitter. They say thank you at least once a week!

This I guess would be my niche! I have had therapists come in and they have loved me because I was willing to learn and help- I too love it. I have one dcg who is getting evaluated for speech and may need a therapist here during the day a couple times a week... How would I advertise that I am willing and able... I wonder if I could get past therapists to write a recommendation letter... Hmmm

[Cradle2crayons]

I do afternoon and night contracted care only (for waitresses, shift workers etc) and very few people offer that here.

I also do special needs , medically fragile care

I also take vouchers and I'm one of the only in homes in the county who does that.

I guess that's my niche (what's the plural of niche)

[MotherNature]

I advertise as a crunchy provider- breastfeeding friendly, cloth diaper friendly, attachment parenting friendly, babywearing, non-CIO. I use mostly organic & local stuff & don't clean with chemicals. 90% of our toys are non-plastic, and I am fully able to create delicious meals for vegans, vegetarians, gluten free, dairy free, paleo, nut free. etc. I have a small ratio- 4, including my own son. In my area, you can be unlicensed with 6 plus your own.

[cheerfuldom]

I am catering more and more to teachers. I dont charge for the summer which is hard to find. Works well for me because I cant wait to get summer off this year and my own school agers will be home and tired of being around babies.

[EAP]

Organic, as "green" as we can be, cloth diapers only (all provided by me), infant and toddler care only 0-3 and for teachers and school staff ( they don't pay in summer). My 2 year old is included in my ratio of 5 so I only have 4 spots to fill and that is limited to 3 under one year.

[AcornMama]

I'm trying to carve out my own little niche, but you have to have client parents who care about the niche.

I'm focusing on offering childcare and preschool that focuses on outdoor exploration and play, a focus on nature, eco-living: goats and chickens, composting, gardening and recycling. I promote the fact that mine is a media-free preschool (no tv, movies, computers).

But I'm in a small town near a major city, and I'm not sure enough parents in my small town care about the above. Except for the media free part. My current parents love that. One parent told me that when they toured centers, they all touted their multiple computers for the children. Dcm said that her kids play enough video games at home and don't really desire computer time during the day.

My problem is that the parents that probably value the outdoor focus/eco-living live too far away. I'm holding out for more families close to me that value what I have to offer.

[Cradle2crayons]

I'm trying to carve out my own little niche, but you have to have client parents who care about the niche.

I'm focusing on offering childcare and preschool that focuses on outdoor exploration and play, a focus on nature, eco-living: goats and chickens, composting, gardening and recycling. I promote the fact that mine is a media-free preschool (no tv, movies, computers).

But I'm in a small town near a major city, and I'm not sure enough parents in my small town care about the above. Except for the media free part. My current parents love that. One parent told me that when they toured centers, they all touted their multiple computers for the children. Dcm said that her kids play enough video games at home and don't really desire computer time during the day.

My problem is that the parents that probably value the outdoor focus/eco-living live too far away. I'm holding out for more families close to me that value what I have to offer.

That's a good point. Your niche only matters or benefits you if parents are interested.

Like where I live. Very few do cloth diapers. Very few care about organic or green. Most of my clientele live out in the country and are exposed to outdoor type environments. Even though, the way their parents work, they aren't REALLY exposed if ya know what I'm saying. But parents wouldn't think anything cool about an outdoor play program even though I offer that as a standard.

Because if where I live, the poverty and lack of available Internet, parents do like that the kids do have some sort of Internet access (I offer some online learning programs). But we are relatively tv free. Not that parents really care about that either .

There are things I would LIKE to offer that are just too expensive to turn a profit with because parents here aren't willing or able to pay for the extra ya no??

Well, let me clarify. Ere are parents who would pay for extra if they COULD. But the poverty here, it's bad for all involved.

[Play Care]

I'm trying to carve out my own little niche, but you have to have client parents who care about the niche.

I'm focusing on offering childcare and preschool that focuses on outdoor exploration and play, a focus on nature, eco-living: goats and chickens, composting, gardening and recycling. I promote the fact that mine is a media-free preschool (no tv, movies, computers).

But I'm in a small town near a major city, and I'm not sure enough parents in my small town care about the above. Except for the media free part. My current parents love that. One parent told me that when they toured centers, they all touted their multiple computers for the children. Dcm said that her kids play enough video games at home and don't really desire computer time during the day.

My problem is that the parents that probably value the outdoor focus/eco-living live too far away. I'm holding out for more families close to me that value what I have to offer.

I would say "limited" media as books, newspapers and magazines are also media and I'm sure you have plenty of those