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So I am restarting my home daycare. Did it before and want to do it again. I have fliers up in my little town in the grocery store and the library and laundry mat. Also have them in the two neighboring towns (each ten miles away). I also have on facebook and craigslist however craigslist is not for our area exactly just nearby. I had one daycare kiddo for a week, them mom couldn't pay. She is still looking for a provider as I see on facebook (I am sure she is a daycare hopper, hopping from provider to provider as long as she can get by). But she was one of two interviews, one of three calls. I really need the income from this. Two or three kids would fix my issue and I am not expensive by local standards. I actually am CHEAP!! Probably to cheap for what I offer. Any ideas to help me gain some kids???
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It's taken me 3 months to even get a part timer. ( I've lived off 2 full time babies over 3 months along with a drop-in on occasion)... that said, most times it can take minimum of 6 months to get word out and start getting kids when restarting... in worst case, like my area, i have a ton of wait list parents, but all want care after January... BTW, I am 23 months or under only. I restarted last November and have yet to fill 3 FT spot, much less all 4 that I am allowed
I also have strict policies, that automatically will disqualify daycare hoppers, Dope and drops, and subsidy clients before they even get thru my website ( I have a contact page ). I am also PREPAY ONLY, and that is a big issue with a lot of families here... I don't settle because I know when the right families come along, it will make life better -
I am also prepay only. But we need my income. My hubby would be happy to have me not restarting this. He would love me to be able to go on the semi with him more often. But we need the money. He gets paid by the mile (must truck drivers do) he has two deliveries tomorrow meaning he will get 150 miles if he is lucky. At .40 cents a mile, that doesn't pay the bills. That will be a 14 hour day tomorrow for him, being how both deliveries are at walmart distribution centers, it can take 6-8 hours per delivery there.Comment
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I had the same problem..I opened in feb and didn't really start to get clients until july... but word got around and I'm full everyday now and have to turn people away. I do toddlers and babies but as my toddlers grow I will grow with them until they are in school full time. Most of my clients work at the same place or know someone that did. I also give 1 free day of daycare to the parent that refures me and they sign up with me. Just keep plugging away...It will come!happyfaceComment
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Yes Lynne, I am offering a referral discount. I am offering a week half price for every family that enrolls and stays for at least a month. First though I have to get some families that can send referrals.Comment
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I tried the flyers that had the tear off phone # at first.... those didn't work well here. so I did a flyer idea that I found here...Put a pocket on your flyer and put your business card in there... works great!Comment
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Try checkng out your local elem school website . Many times they list e mails for the teachers . Send a nice letter letting the teachers know about you and your program , maybe offer a special for teachers only . Thay way if the teacher hears of someone needing care they may remember you . Our school also puts out a directory , I sent a letter to all the families in my area about my program . I got 2 families from doing this .Comment
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Do you accept state pay? That may help if you live in a rural/low income area... maybe give your info to other providers as a back up provider that they can offer their parents when they need a day off?Comment
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I agree with accepting state pay. I'll also add that in my area clients like providers on the good program who provide formula.
I've been open 1 year and a few months ago I decided to raise my rates to just slightly above the average. I decided to use the extra money to start providing diapers. I only have 3 dcks, but that's where I feel comfortable at the moment... and I've added 4 names to my growing wait list just in the past week.
You don't have to provide diapers or extras, but I noticed that when I raised my rates to around the average for my area I was taken more seriously. Just a thought
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I am not doing state pay here, I did in Kansas. I would be full in a heartbeat if I did. There are only three providers in our county that accept it. It is done by county here, and with the rules in our county I just can't. I would have to spend a ton on this house and we rent, so I am not going to spend a huge amount of money on it, I just can't.Comment
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I have noticed that calls come in spurts. In July and the beginning of August, I was full and wasn't advertising and was getting a lot of calls and wouldn't you know it, as soon as I do have an opening and am advertising, no calls.
I just found a community page through fb and joined and found a provider group from that. It's nice because it seems everyone wants to get to know each other and refer each other if we are full or do not have an opening for a particular age group. Hopefully something comes from that. Do you have a community group in your area?Comment
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I have noticed that calls come in spurts. In July and the beginning of August, I was full and wasn't advertising and was getting a lot of calls and wouldn't you know it, as soon as I do have an opening and am advertising, no calls.
I just found a community page through fb and joined and found a provider group from that. It's nice because it seems everyone wants to get to know each other and refer each other if we are full or do not have an opening for a particular age group. Hopefully something comes from that. Do you have a community group in your area?Comment
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Oops, I double posted!Comment
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You could make business cards. I made mine through Vista Print and they were pretty cheap. They run specials all the time.Comment
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