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I'm feeling a bit discourage....why? Because I live in the land of the flakes. This summer all I seem to get were calls for infants, which I had to turn away because I already have one enrolled and quickly realized I didn't want to enroll anymore. Now I'm starting to get some calls for the age group that I'm looking for but these parents sure are cheap or flaky. I have parents setting up interviews and not showing up. I don't get it. If you're not serious about finding daycare for your family why waste my time? I seem to get most of my inquiries through facebook. I've made a fb page, website, yelp page, care.com, angies list, craigslist, hung up flyers, t-shirts, car magnets and yard signs. I've reached out to a few day cares in my area to try to help one another out and send each other referrals but some didn't respond to my message and the 2 I was able to speak to gave me their contact info but didn't take mines. I'm hoping things will turn around because right now its not looking so good.
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Hang in there! I had started advertising in April for my spaces that we're going to be available in July/August. I had a few calls and some interviews but some flaked out and some thought I was too pricey. I started getting worried at the end of June when I still hadn't filled my openings. I noticed more new daycares had opened around my area with lower rates, but I wasn't going to lower my rates because I know I provide a solid program. I started thinking about closing (had only 2 of my original dcks left) and go back to teaching in a center. I started putting my rates on my website mid July so prospective families would already know my rates and don't need to bother calling and flaking out. The last two weeks of July I got many calls and filled my four spaces. It can be done just be patient. -
Cry It Out
I have found, at least in my area, that other day care centers and providers will NOT 'help each other out'...they won't make a referral to anyone or offer to give information to another provider. They don't want to risk taking business away from the selves even if they CAN'T take the child! Most of the provider in my area are extremely competitive to the point that I've been contacted and asked what my rates were just to find out that this 'parent' was actually a provider who then set her rates lower then mine by just a few bucks...annoying but effective in our area. I've even had parents point out that "____ rates are lower than yours" to which I reply, "Then you should go see them and if they don't have a spot available then I'm sorry but if you're basing your care decisions based on a $5 dollar discount then I am most likely not going to be a good fit for you."Comment
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... thank you ladies
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I list my fees online also, but unlike every provider around me, I charge by the Month - yep... guess what, my fees are a little higher than most too, but I get better clientele because of it. I was full then had 2 quit no notice late last month, both spots are paid for in full by last night. I can only take 4 babies at a time
The way I avoid flakes is to request they call 3 hrs before set interview to get my exact address; they don't call, I don't waste time cleaning super fast or printing out paperworkComment
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I understand completely! I have more openings than usual this year--lots of kids going to kindergarten. And I have got the flakiest parents calling me! They don't actually need child care, just want some time without their child, so they're shocked by the price. Or they call and sound super excited, say they're coming for a visit, then don't show. Or they say they want to come and I say sure, Monday will be fine, what time? and then they never get back to me. And I got no calls all summer and now here it is nearly September and suddenly they're calling--does no one plan ahead? No advice here, just a sympathetic ear.Comment
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I don't do that because parents don't see what they buy for this money. One time I got a client by recommendation of a visitor who was not able to afford my price.
Most of my clients say that they pay more that they were going to pay. Some of them said that if they got a price via a phone they would not come here with a visit.Comment
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Op
LysesKids I have them call 3 hours ahead too before giving out my address (great idea I got from this forum) so I don't have a bunch of random people with my address.Comment
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How do you word it? Most callers ask where I live and I give them a couple cross streets and then tell them to call me the day of The interview to confirm and I'll give my address at that time, but it seems like I sound crazy to them. Idk maybe it's just me and the way I say it or something. Any advice would be helpful.Comment
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... During our phone interview, you will be asked to call at a certain time on the day of your "Meet & Greet" to get the address of my home (2-3 hours before set time)... this is to verify you are coming and is done to make sure my address isn't just given out randomly. Also, as much as I know you would love to see me in action, I cannot allow daytime interviews because it is a safety & privacy issue for the children already in care.
My time is just as important as yours and I expect that if you set up a meeting that you make every effort to keep the appointment or to at least have the courtesy to call or text and cancel if you don't intend to show. I will do the same should something come up...Comment
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