Crossroads

[SilverSabre25]

I feel like writing up two ads, one infant-oriented and one preschool-oriented and seeing which I get more response from. I can go either way right now--aiming for a preschool setting or aiming for an infant/toddler setting and I don't know what there's more call for here.

Well what I *do* know is that the parents all seem to want low prices, tiny groups (six is too big for them), and the fanciest equipment, curriculum, and space possible. I can't provide that, so I am heading for big trouble financially.

What do you think is the best way to go about this figuring out what there's more call for?

[Sugar Magnolia]

Silver, I think you should try both ads. Does your state have the free pre kindergarten? Mine does, it has made it impossible to enroll older kids.
I am shifting my focus to 1-3 year olds. I enrolled some older infants and toddlers lately, almost zero calls for older kids.
I'm actually considering changing the name of my center to include the words "premium toddler care". And stating we serve 12-48 months only. When you turn 4, bye bye. I plan on having a big sale and getting rid of all my stuff for older kids and buying more toddler/all natural/wood/non battery toys.

I'd be curious to see how your two ads pan out..I think younger us the wave of the future, which stinks, because I personally enjoy older kids.

[SilverSabre25]

Nope, no free pre-k here.

[melilley]

Silver, I think you should try both ads. Does your state have the free pre kindergarten? Mine does, it has made it impossible to enroll older kids.
I am shifting my focus to 1-3 year olds. I enrolled some older infants and toddlers lately, almost zero calls for older kids.
I'm actually considering changing the name of my center to include the words "premium toddler care". And stating we serve 12-48 months only. When you turn 4, bye bye. I plan on having a big sale and getting rid of all my stuff for older kids and buying more toddler/all natural/wood/non battery toys.

I'd be curious to see how your two ads pan out..I think younger us the wave of the future, which stinks, because I personally enjoy older kids.

I would also try both and see, otherwise you may never know.

I decided to "specialize" in infant and toddler care. Most kids go to preschool and leave me when they are 3. We don't have free preschool either, but parents want their children in "formal" preschools, which doesn't bother me. I don't do really do preschool and most of my equipment/supplies are geared towards infants and toddlers anyways. And I rarely get any calls for kids older than 3.

[spinnymarie]

I think trying both is a great idea.
Here, it seems like the infant care would do best, there are TONS of preschools around, and people seem to like the preschool ONLY preschools either whole or half day. Even with my Early Childhood teaching degree I feel like it'd be a tough sell here to do a preschool out of my home.

[Chellieleanne]

I personally wouldn't want to do preschool. Well not in a formal sense. I teach my kids but it is all during play, I almost never sit and go through a lesson plan to teach something. I am not taking anymore kids since I am going to focus on my family only in September but I want to stick between 12 months and 4 years. I love squishy babies but trying to care for a bunch of newborns might make me go crazy. Too many bottles and diapers!

[Second Home]

Nope, no free pre-k here.

It may take a while but they are proposing nationwide pre k in all schools .