So this is What I Am Fighting

[Blackcat31]

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.

What is the daycare atmosphere like there?

Are there centers? Lots of in-home? Are they all full? Are they all advertising?

Do you know any of the other providers? How big is your community?

Just trying to get a handle on your environment and their needs

[Thriftylady]

I live in a town of 3000 or so. 10 miles East AND 10 miles west are slightly bigger towns say 10,000 or so. I see others advertising somewhat on FB groups but not daily. The YMCA in the town east also has daycare. There are centers, but not a ton, and there are home providers. I don't really know any providers, I did reach out to one on FB yesterday trying to get to know some. Seems so many see another provider as competition and I don't see it that way. Many people commute between all the tiny towns around here to work. Um.... trying to think what else I could tell you.

[AuntTami]

What does your program have that sets you apart from the rest? For example; we have a HUGE organic garden that we eat from all summer and the children are encouraged to participate in the whole process. In addition; I'm a low tech daycare. Extremely limited TV, limited toys with screens and batteries, etc

[Thriftylady]

What does your program have that sets you apart from the rest? For example; we have a HUGE organic garden that we eat from all summer and the children are encouraged to participate in the whole process. In addition; I'm a low tech daycare. Extremely limited TV, limited toys with screens and batteries, etc

We have a small garden the kids are encouraged to be involved in, and we will eat from. They also help cooking small things, like muffins for snacks of course I do the hot parts, but they get to help measure and mix and such. I am not on the food program, but I do follow their guidelines, and I use very little processed foods. I allow very little screen time if any at all, no electronic toys. I do help SA kids with homework, and do enrichment activities during the summer.

I do have a very small space, I am not sure if that hurts me or not.

[daycare]

Here is what I have

http://teachstone.com/blog/what-makes-fccs-different/

http://teachstone.com/blog/family-child-care-no-place-like-home/

http://teachstone.com/blog/fcc-challenge-establishing-coding-consistency-in-inconsistent-settings/

so a lot of this has to do with class observations, but it's good reading information

I like how the others are guiding you to what makes you unique...

You should really run with your home garden idea. I wanted to do that her but being in a serious drought I am not going to be able to have my garden after all....ugh...

[Thriftylady]

Here is what I have

http://teachstone.com/blog/what-makes-fccs-different/

http://teachstone.com/blog/family-child-care-no-place-like-home/

http://teachstone.com/blog/fcc-challenge-establishing-coding-consistency-in-inconsistent-settings/

so a lot of this has to do with class observations, but it's good reading information

I like how the others are guiding you to what makes you unique...

You should really run with your home garden idea. I wanted to do that her but being in a serious drought I am not going to be able to have my garden after all....ugh...

Yeah I do the garden regardless unless I go out with DH on the truck for the summer, so it seemed a natural place for science and cooking.

[daycare]

Yeah I do the garden regardless unless I go out with DH on the truck for the summer, so it seemed a natural place for science and cooking.

so are you closed in the summer time?

[Thriftylady]

so are you closed in the summer time?

No, I haven't done daycare in several years, actually more than ten years since we moved to Ohio. I started working on opening last August when I got off the truck.

[daycare]

No, I haven't done daycare in several years, actually more than ten years since we moved to Ohio. I started working on opening last August when I got off the truck.

oh ok, got it... i was going to say if that was the case, that may be your issue.

A lot of programs in our area close for the summer, this is where I have an upper leg.

[Thriftylady]

oh ok, got it... i was going to say if that was the case, that may be your issue.

A lot of programs in our area close for the summer, this is where I have an upper leg.

Yeah that wouldn't be good for me here, or when I was in Kansas. I wonder how they retain kids when they do that. The only way I could see that working is if you had all teachers. I would love to be able to do it, Hubby would love that. But I don't see it happening.

[daycare]

Yeah that wouldn't be good for me here, or when I was in Kansas. I wonder how they retain kids when they do that. The only way I could see that working is if you had all teachers. I would love to be able to do it, Hubby would love that. But I don't see it happening.

you and me both....I dream about the day i don't have to operate year round 52 weeks out of the year...... Well 51 actually.. I take one week off.

[Thriftylady]

Well DCM of my two school agers just told me she is going to reapply for state assistance for the summer. Bah, not sure if she will get it or not, but if she does there go my last two.

ETA: DCD is living with her again now, they are divorced and she got assistance then. She is not reporting that he is living there they still take child support from his check and they use it for their gas money. She has no intention of telling them he is living with her again. That part burns me because DH and I have struggled our whole lives for all we have, which is fine but I hate it when people sit here and tell me how they are cheating the system.

[daycare]

Well DCM of my two school agers just told me she is going to reapply for state assistance for the summer. Bah, not sure if she will get it or not, but if she does there go my last two.

ETA: DCD is living with her again now, they are divorced and she got assistance then. She is not reporting that he is living there they still take child support from his check and they use it for their gas money. She has no intention of telling them he is living with her again. That part burns me because DH and I have struggled our whole lives for all we have, which is fine but I hate it when people sit here and tell me how they are cheating the system.

I am frustrated for you....

[childcaremom]

I would make sure that you are advertising the garden to table aspect, limited screen time, and enrichment activities, esp. the garden part. That would be a huge selling feature and make you stand out. Post pictures of your garden, maybe a sample menu, etc. I made a website on weebly and it is very easy to do. I like to put pics of the activities that we are doing so that potential clients can see what we do. Also of the space, etc. I point all my ads to my website so that parents can see what it's all about before they get here.

Have you tried flyers at the grocery store? Rec centre? Library? Even going in to the schools? I don't know if they can advertise for you but maybe it would be helpful if they had your name and contact info in case parents were asking.

If you got business cards made up you could leave those around... in the library, on the bus, etc.

We have a local fb page here linking parents and providers. Maybe you could start one for your area?

I honestly get most of my clients from kijiji (which is sort of like craigs list).

[Thriftylady]

I have flyers up I have done everything but the schools, that just feels weird to me for some reason I dunno. I did leave some for the manager at the apartments though.

I will look into that other craigslist type thing you mentioned, hadn't heard of it. I do have business cards, I do leave them some places.