So this is What I Am Fighting

[NightOwl]

I'm sure you're nervous about raising rates instead of lowering. But I believe they're right. I'm a little on the high side for my area, but I have an ECE degree and years of experience. And I'm full with a wait list. I think your rate reflects the kind of families you will attract. People who want quality over price will not bother calling or interviewing with "cheap" providers.

Also, I know this is unpopular, but I list my prices on my website. I state that I list them so that "you are fully informed of all the details" before they even call me. So when the call comes in, most of the time, they already know my prices and it weeds out the ones who are just looking for cheap.

One more thing. The problem could be in your delivery when you offer them a spot. How do you do it? If you are telling people you have plenty of space or that you need enrollments, that may turn them off. They may think something is wrong because you don't have enrollments. At interview, I say something like, I really like your family and your child and think he would be a good fit for my program. So I'd like to offer you the spot! And if they need to think about it, say sure! I have one other interview later this week. I'll need to have an answer by xxx, so I'll know whether to keep that interview appointment. This tells them you have other options and they could lose the spot if they don't act quickly.

Just some thoughts that might help.

[Thriftylady]

She can move to northern MN and pay $75 per week PER child ($225) to catch the bus and $150 per week PER child ($450) for summer care.

See that is what I am saying. I know my rates are not "pricey". I also realize our area is still depressed and lacking any really good jobs, but geesh. Apparently she has gotten some cheaper quotes, because I sent her this after her pricey comment "ok that is fine but you are going to have a hard time finding anything less, unless you qualify for state assistance" and she sends back "I already have a couple of lower quotes but thanks". I don't understand HOW people are giving lower quotes.

[Thriftylady]

I'm sure you're nervous about raising rates instead of lowering. But I believe they're right. I'm a little on the high side for my area, but I have an ECE degree and years of experience. And I'm full with a wait list. I think your rate reflects the kind of families you will attract. People who want quality over price will not bother calling or interviewing with "cheap" providers.

Also, I know this is unpopular, but I list my prices on my website. I state that I list them so that "you are fully informed of all the details" before they even call me. So when the call comes in, most of the time, they already know my prices and it weeds out the ones who are just looking for cheap.

One more thing. The problem could be in your delivery when you offer them a spot. How do you do it? If you are telling people you have plenty of space or that you need enrollments, that may turn them off. They may think something is wrong because you don't have enrollments. At interview, I say something like, I really like your family and your child and think he would be a good fit for my program. So I'd like to offer you the spot! And if they need to think about it, say sure! I have one other interview later this week. I'll need to have an answer by xxx, so I'll know whether to keep that interview appointment. This tells them you have other options and they could lose the spot if they don't act quickly.

Just some thoughts that might help.

Most of them are not even getting offered a spot, many of them run before we even get to an interview when they tell me they can't afford me or whatever.

[NeedaVaca]

I saw another provider say this and I loved it so it stuck with me: I don't want to be the cheapest daycare in town, I want to be the best provider in town.

I also agree with PP about higher rates. I am definitely on the high end and I never have trouble filling my spots and I have fantastic kids and parents. I don't want people looking for cheap...

[Blackcat31]

See that is what I am saying. I know my rates are not "pricey". I also realize our area is still depressed and lacking any really good jobs, but geesh. Apparently she has gotten some cheaper quotes, because I sent her this after her pricey comment "ok that is fine but you are going to have a hard time finding anything less, unless you qualify for state assistance" and she sends back "I already have a couple of lower quotes but thanks". I don't understand HOW people are giving lower quotes.

Sorry...I was editing my post to reflect the correct prices. It would actually cost her more than what I said because I don't open until 7 and I just realized care needed to start at 6. The hour before I open would be a premium fee because it's early.

As for the people who give her cheaper rate quotes, they probably don't do anything but flick the TV on at the beginning of the day and off again in the evening. There is SOME truth to getting what you pay for but not in all case....just those odd hours or parents that need really odd care hours/days. Providers agree to it with a cheap quote for rates because they figure it's easy money for such a short amount of time. For some it is but it gets old fast.


If I were you, I would focus on advertising those things about you that may be different, unique or special to you. Are you all organic, do you have TV free program, are you an outdoor program, an educational one, etc etc... find your niche or what makes you different from the others and focus on that.

Don't sell yourself short because others do. Don't lower your rates because you want clients. Cheap rates brings in "cheap" clients in a sense.

Value yourself and others do too.

Like Wednesday said, "how" you present yourself makes a big difference. When I inform families of my illness policy (which is super strict) it can make or break the "connection" with a potential client.

"My illness policy is strictly enforced so I am not one of those providers that will allow you to drop off your sick kid just because you can't afford to take a day off"

verses

"Because I value YOUR child's health, and well being I try really hard to adhere to my illness policies for all families because you know as well as I do, taking time off can be difficult when sickness happens and taking that one day off to rest sure beats having to miss multiple days when illnesses are passed back and forth."

HOW you say something is just as important as what you are saying. Sometimes even more.

[daycare]

given the information, I agree with what the others are saying.

When I first started, I had rates very low and it attracted the wrong people. I gave discounts to get them in and they just really didn't value my program.

I have some information of teachstone that talks about what sets a good in-home apart, let me find it when I have some more free time and I will post it here.

Keep your chin up. When I had to move up state, I had to restart and I did it all wrong again. I actually termed all of my families but one and started all over again. I took all of the advice of the ladies on here and really took the time to build a strong foundation of what my program is about. Over the years, I changed what I offered, but after years of experience found out what works best and that is waht I stick to and sell.

Be patient, the good ones will come.


Also, do you have a website??

[Baby Beluga]

given the information, I agree with what the others are saying.

When I first started, I had rates very low and it attracted the wrong people. I gave discounts to get them in and they just really didn't value my program.

I have some information of teachstone that talks about what sets a good in-home apart, let me find it when I have some more free time and I will post it here.

Keep your chin up. When I had to move up state, I had to restart and I did it all wrong again. I actually termed all of my families but one and started all over again. I took all of the advice of the ladies on here and really took the time to build a strong foundation of what my program is about. Over the years, I changed what I offered, but after years of experience found out what works best and that is waht I stick to and sell.

Be patient, the good ones will come.


Also, do you have a website??

I would love to read this as well.

[Thriftylady]

Daycare, I do have a website, I am not sure though that I am doing a good job of promoting it and getting it seen. I post my ads on multiple facebook garage sale type groups, and my link to my site is always on those. I am not sure that is enough. I did just run and ad in the paper for five days, not one call.

[daycare]

Daycare, I do have a website, I am not sure though that I am doing a good job of promoting it and getting it seen. I post my ads on multiple facebook garage sale type groups, and my link to my site is always on those. I am not sure that is enough. I did just run and ad in the paper for five days, not one call.

what about yelp?

also, if you list yourself on places that get lots of hits like

here, craigs list and so on, your name will come up more in searches.

do you have any community events coming up? like health fairs, church events, etc?

often my city will have functions where I can set up a table for free or very little money. This is how I have been successful at really getting my name out there.

look and see what community events you have.

years ago a friend of mine used to do a saturday morning mommy and me or daddy and me music class and it was a hit. She charged like $3.00 a family and was very successful at getting her name out there. I think she did it twice a month for about 30-45min. She is always full when I talk to her.

what about dental and medical offices? get some used books, and put a sleeve inside the book with your biz cards in them or stickers on the books saying donated by ABC daycare and include your website on it.

I have tons of ideas for you...let me find that link

[Thriftylady]

We don't have Craigslist in our exact area, one for an hour away, well three different ones for that. I can try posting again. I hadn't thought of Yelp. We do have our village annual family fun night on June 27, so maybe I can make some contacts, pass out some business cards there. Not sure thought do I just walk around and hand cards to people? I will look into yelp, never used it .

[daycare]

We don't have Craigslist in our exact area, one for an hour away, well three different ones for that. I can try posting again. I hadn't thought of Yelp. We do have our village annual family fun night on June 27, so maybe I can make some contacts, pass out some business cards there. Not sure thought do I just walk around and hand cards to people? I will look into yelp, never used it .

dont' worry if you get any hits off of craigs list or not...posting an add there will help boost you in search engines..

as for the family fun night, see how much it would be to get a booth.... then you can do something fun like face painting or make small balls of home made playdough for them to take home.... I just did this and it was a huge hit.

i got clear bags from the dollar store printed my own labels with my biz information on them and then put the dough inside for them to take home.

I had brochures made and handed them out. I had tons of pictures on science project boards set up of our program and i had my ipad with a slide show going.

I can show you a pic of my set up. the last event i did was free, only the cost of the supplies to make the playdough and bags is what I spent.

[crazydaycarelady]

3 kids for 8 hours per day for 5 days would be $450 at my place. $175 seems pretty reasonable.

[Thriftylady]

I will have to check into the fun night thing, I don't know much about it really they do it every year, but we have never been with DD away at the camp job I have been on the semi with hubby the last few years.

I didn't know that about Craigslist and it boosting my searches I will do that.

[Blackcat31]

I will have to check into the fun night thing, I don't know much about it really they do it every year, but we have never been with DD away at the camp job I have been on the semi with hubby the last few years.

I didn't know that about Craigslist and it boosting my searches I will do that.

Have you considered having an open house? A weekend BBQ?
An afternoon carnival?

Or a maybe a "Mom's Day Off" or a "Parent Night Out" just to get your name out there?

[Thriftylady]

Have you considered having an open house? A weekend BBQ?
An afternoon carnival?

Or a maybe a "Mom's Day Off" or a "Parent Night Out" just to get your name out there?

I have tried parent's night outs, and never get a nibble on them. I am stuck somewhere between people just don't want to pay and I am not reaching the right people.