So Frustrated

[Jagen]

Hi,

I've been lurking a bit, too chicken to post until now. I'm so frustrated and upset, I just didn't know what else to do so I'm giving this a shot. Maybe someone could give me some advice.

I have babysat off and on for what seems like forever (date-nights and such), and recently due to not being able to get a job that does not conflict with my husband's work schedule, I decided to start doing in-home day care. I am not licensed or anything, so I'll just start off with that detail. I wanted to see how it all went with just a couple of children to see if this was something that would work out for us. I go to college as well (online), so before I dive in with licensing and all of the red tape type stuff, I just wanted to give it a go. The plan is to do childcare during the day and then I work on my school stuff in the evenings. But I am a biochemistry major, and before I went full on with the childcare, I wanted to make sure I still have something left for my homework at night.

Anyway, it's been a month and a half and I still don't have any clients. I don't know what I'm doing wrong. I have had maybe 5 people come over and visit. Another 4 or 5 were no call, no show for our little meet-and-greet (and wow, is that irritating! so inconsiderate). I thought maybe that our home wasn't nice enough, since our landlord promises every year to paint the outside and never does. We are not allowed to touch it, otherwise we'd paint it ourselves! But, first impressions, right? Even though our front yard is neat and trim, I am afraid it sends the wrong message.

I read some articles and some things on here that I thought would make a difference. I was trying so hard to make our house look nice and presentable and clean, that I think perhaps it looked too adult-like, or too tidy? Maybe not inviting or kid-friendly? So I spent too much money () on trying to make our living room look like this great indoor play area. I think it looks pretty cool. It's really nothing special, but I think it looks more cozy with the kids' play corner, bookshelves, I brought the puzzles and games out here and got some great kid furniture from craigslist.

And I bought too much stuff for the backyard too but gosh, I haven't even had a client over since I've done all this stuff to see if it has made any difference.

Maybe we are putting off the wrong vibes or something? Maybe we are too chatty? Too friendly? Too....something? I don't charge a lot - at least I don't think I do. I started at $125 then dropped to $100 per week. Is that too much for in-home, unlicensed childcare? I offered a discount for siblings, I can pickup and drop off from school (and I have a nice, safe, roomy vehicle). I am all about nutritious meals, doing crafts and activities, playing outside whenever we can (rainy northwest!), and we can even go to the park down the street with parents' permission.

I don't understand what we are doing wrong here. I can handle a few rejections, but I am really worried that I have put so much time and effort into this for nothing. I keep getting the "sorry we went with someone else" excuse. Should I charge less? I only advertise on craigslist. Just signed up with care.com and waiting to hear back from them (eh, not sure about having to pay them though?). I've been told by more than one person that I don't get more clients because I am not registered through DHS, which is what many people in my area use to pay for child care. Should I pursue that option?

Maybe this is all normal? I feel like we must be terribly repulsive or something :confused:

[Tdhmom]

Send a flier to the schools nearby. Teachers kids are great...summers off

[DaycareMom]

Hi!

I went thru the same thing when I first started.
It took about 6 months before I got a child in care. My first clients are still with me! Keep trying and give it some time!

[NeedaVaca]

I also think this time of year is slow. You might have more interest after the holidays are over.

[Leigh]

Not that registration with DHS is any guarantee of quality care, but it does assure parents that you meet certain standards and passed a background check. An added bonus: free advertising (by being listed with them). I know many providers don't like all of the training hours required, but I consider those to be beneficial as well, not only for continuous improvement, but they are also good networking opportunities.

[Jagen]

I just got an auto-email from care.com saying my profile was not approved, what the...?

[Unregistered]

It could be anything, but I would definitely call your local child care resource and find out what the market is currently like. Also, you may want to look into developing a "niche" for your center. Specialized child cares are highly sought after, so if you can offer something out of the ordinary (extended hours, evening shifts, cater to healthcare employees with non-traditional hours, Montessori, organic/holistic, special needs, etc.) you may see an increase in interest. This may or may not be feasible based on your personal financial situation or even the current child care market; but with competition being what it is, you really need something to stand out. It doesn't even have to be something extremely radical: you can offer baby massage, or baby sign language, or specialized online learning (think ABCMouse, Starfall, Rosetta Stone, Fun2Type etc.) that is just enough to put you ahead of the next program that may offer computer games but not necessarily targeted computer education, KWIM? Those programs don't require a whole lot from you, either, so you can focus on assisting rather than actually "teaching." Speaking of which, do you use a curriculum? There is nothing wrong with using a prepurchased curriculum, especially if you are new. It's time saving and usually comes with most, if not all, of the materials you need for the projects. When I first started I used The Letter People (the old one). Yes, it was VERY 70's, but it had all the components of a great program, it was nearly free, and the kids LOVED it! We had a letter party where the kids colored the letter people that spelled their names and put them on large poster boards. We then decorated each board and the kids told a story about what "their" Letter People where doing (ex. Mr. O is taking Ms. S on a ride to the park). They had a blast, wrote a story that we typed and printed out in color and attached to the board, and the parents were BEYOND impressed. Still to this day some of the longtime parents say that was one of the best projects we've ever done.