Getting Children

[daniellesweety1]

Does anyone have any ideas as to how I can promote my daycare? I have absolutely no children and its beginning to look like I have to find something real quick for money. I've been trying to stick it out and pray things pick up but I've been getting calls for infants but no hits. I just don't know what to do anymore and its beginnings to become stressful. I have flyers, website, cards, craigslist.... I just don't know where else to put these things.

Also, how do you all work with vouchers? I have a family who has been in contact with me for the past couple weeks, however they get vouchers and they are switching to formal from informal. The thing is, I'm not taking the child until I receive the actual voucher. The mom called me this morning and asked how long before the child can start and I explained to her that I prefer to have the voucher first, so I can #1 know how much to charge her for copay and #2 ensure that I am in fact getting the voucher. I told her I can accept her after that, because the invoices will come to my house.

Any advice, suggestions, even suggestions for some types of part time jobs I can look into. I'll appreciate it.

Sorry for the long post.

Thanks all

[auntymimi]

In my state assistance recipients have to add you as a provider onto their case and ccr&r will send you a letter stating that they qualify and for how much so you can figure out copays and such. Maybe you could call ccr&r? Not sure how your state handles those.

[daniellesweety1]

In my state assistance recipients have to add you as a provider onto their case and ccr&r will send you a letter stating that they qualify and for how much so you can figure out copays and such. Maybe you could call ccr&r? Not sure how your state handles those.

Yes I had one voucher child that had a higher copay because she lived in the county and I'm city. This child is city so the rates will be higher, however I'm not sure what the max will be for her infant. I'll try to look up their contact number online. Thanks

[LysesKids]

Does anyone have any ideas as to how I can promote my daycare? I have absolutely no children and its beginning to look like I have to find something real quick for money. I've been trying to stick it out and pray things pick up but I've been getting calls for infants but no hits. I just don't know what to do anymore and its beginnings to become stressful. I have flyers, website, cards, craigslist.... I just don't know where else to put these things.

Also, how do you all work with vouchers? I have a family who has been in contact with me for the past couple weeks, however they get vouchers and they are switching to formal from informal. The thing is, I'm not taking the child until I receive the actual voucher. The mom called me this morning and asked how long before the child can start and I explained to her that I prefer to have the voucher first, so I can #1 know how much to charge her for copay and #2 ensure that I am in fact getting the voucher. I told her I can accept her after that, because the invoices will come to my house.

Any advice, suggestions, even suggestions for some types of part time jobs I can look into. I'll appreciate it.

Sorry for the long post.

Thanks all

Never take a client without voucher paper in hand.... also you not only have to worry about copay, but is there a difference on what you charge & the state will pay? If copay & state amounts don't add up to what you charge, get it in writing that mom understands she is responsible for difference. Also make sure she understands late fees & such are her responsibility also - the state won't pay for late pick ups or overtime.

I do nothing but infants and advertise as such... it's a niche for sure, but some people like that older kids won't be around the littles - or go for the before & after crowd only & work PT during school hours... explain that you aren't available on days schools are closed due to other obligations. How long have you been advertising/open? it can takes months to get kids in - also make sure you aren't overpricing for the area - MD goes from one extreme to the other dependent on area ( I grew up there, I understand)

[daniellesweety1]

Never take a client without voucher paper in hand.... also you not only have to worry about copay, but is there a difference on what you charge & the state will pay? If copay & state amounts don't add up to what you charge, get it in writing that mom understands she is responsible for difference. Also make sure she understands late fees & such are her responsibility also - the state won't pay for late pick ups or overtime.

I do nothing but infants and advertise as such... it's a niche for sure, but some people like that older kids won't be around the littles - or go for the before & after crowd only & work PT during school hours... explain that you aren't available on days schools are closed due to other obligations. How long have you been advertising/open? it can takes months to get kids in - also make sure you aren't overpricing for the area - MD goes from one extreme to the other dependent on area ( I grew up there, I understand)

Oh Yes, I already told her I will not be taking her child unless I have that actual voucher, she won't get a free ride off me . Yes once I find out what they are paying for her child then I'm going to put her weekly fee on her contracts. I don't even want infants really, but I'll take them. This child is 9months so it isn't too bad. The smaller ones scare me . I had a great summer, I was completely full but a few when to school and then unfortunately things just started happening with other families and some of my families lived far so I knew eventually they would be leaving me. SO now I'm back to zero again. I did do research before I came up with my prices and I went with the price of in between all those in my area. Its been over a year now, I never stopped advertising, but now I just don't know where to go and what to do.

[LysesKids]

Oh Yes, I already told her I will not be taking her child unless I have that actual voucher, she won't get a free ride off me . Yes once I find out what they are paying for her child then I'm going to put her weekly fee on her contracts. I don't even want infants really, but I'll take them. This child is 9months so it isn't too bad. The smaller ones scare me . I had a great summer, I was completely full but a few when to school and then unfortunately things just started happening with other families and some of my families lived far so I knew eventually they would be leaving me. SO now I'm back to zero again. I did do research before I came up with my prices and I went with the price of in between all those in my area. Its been over a year now, I never stopped advertising, but now I just don't know where to go and what to do.

What sets you apart from other providers? Do you cook organic? Have a different style preschool type curriculum? Something about your childcare needs to be unique compared to other childcare homes by you. Hold an open house (with beverages & crafts for kiddies) one Saturday between say between 9am-noon that you can show off to groups & have a brochure to give out listing basics - I wouldn't be giving out all the paperwork to everyone because it's a waste if they truly aren't interested, but have some folders ready just in case.

Offer Drop-in childcare on Football weekends if you are near a College & it's a home game (families still have to pre register, but it's something that has worked for me in the fall and I get 10 extra a day for fewer hours )

[daniellesweety1]

What sets you apart from other providers? Do you cook organic? Have a different style preschool type curriculum? Something about your childcare needs to be unique compared to other childcare homes by you. Hold an open house (with beverages & crafts for kiddies) one Saturday between say between 9am-noon that you can show off to groups & have a brochure to give out listing basics - I wouldn't be giving out all the paperwork to everyone because it's a waste if they truly aren't interested, but have some folders ready just in case.

Offer Drop-in childcare on Football weekends if you are near a College & it's a home game (families still have to pre register, but it's something that has worked for me in the fall and I get 10 extra a day for fewer hours )

I'll work out the brochures for sure because I surely give those out(do you know any DIY sites to make some). I'll try to come up with some key points it too. A lot of my families love how involved I am and how family orientated I am with them. I'm really big on feeling like their family is mine because I can't function with just the professional side . They do know I am very strict about my money other than that I'm laid back. Weekends aren't a go for me because I do have a 6 year old and she needs her mommy.

[Second Home]

I don't accept vouchers ( too many extra hoops to jump through ...) so I am no help there.

I have found quite a few daycare pages on facebook .Just a few - Maryland daycare providers who care , Maryland licensed daycare providers and there are even some by county . I would check and sign up for those groups as you can list your openings and there are parents who advertise when they need childcare.

[daniellesweety1]

I don't accept vouchers ( too many extra hoops to jump through ...) so I am no help there.

I have found quite a few daycare pages on facebook .Just a few - Maryland daycare providers who care , Maryland licensed daycare providers and there are even some by county . I would check and sign up for those groups as you can list your openings and there are parents who advertise when they need childcare.

YESSSSSSS I post on them all the time . I just need 3 children to start and I'd have a few bucks . Gosh I don't know what to do and how this works I don't know if I can go through this all the time . I just need some long term families.

[LysesKids]

I'll work out the brochures for sure because I surely give those out(do you know any DIY sites to make some). I'll try to come up with some key points it too. A lot of my families love how involved I am and how family orientated I am with them. I'm really big on feeling like their family is mine because I can't function with just the professional side . They do know I am very strict about my money other than that I'm laid back. Weekends aren't a go for me because I do have a 6 year old and she needs her mommy.

I understand kids need mommy, but it's a 2-3 hr one time thing that could get you clients and it's not like she couldn't do a craft also (was an idea)... sometimes you have to give to get. You could always tie business cards to halloween treats too. My youngest grew up in my childcare home - i'm 15+ in now & all my own kids are grown & gone (Most my family is still in MD)

[daniellesweety1]

I understand kids need mommy, but it's a 2-3 hr one time thing that could get you clients and it's not like she couldn't do a craft also (was an idea)... sometimes you have to give to get. You could always tie business cards to halloween treats too. My youngest grew up in my childcare home - i'm 15+ in now & all my own kids are grown & gone (Most my family is still in MD)

Yesss totally missed the part thats once in a blue type thing . Yea a weekend here and there isn't too bad. We are literally gone most weekends due to the fact she's in here all the time during the week. She's my little helper even though she gets in her moods where she wants every gone . That is such a great idea, I was going to put 3 baskets of candy on my porch this year since I'll be out, but I'm definitely going to find some type of way to put my cards or maybe create labels to stick on some of the candy. Thank YOUUUUUUUUU so much for that idea. It never even crossed my mind. This is why I love this site.

[Second Home]

Also many grocery and convenience stores have a board where you can post flyers , business cards and things like that .

What county / town / city are you in . If I hear of someone needing care in that area I could pass along your name , just pm me the info.

[daniellesweety1]

Also many grocery and convenience stores have a board where you can post flyers , business cards and things like that .

I post in my markets around here all the time. I got most calls from there or my website and some craigslist. Im just heading out now to post more.
Thanks for all your help

[Pepperth]

I was able to get my first family through a Facebook group and by opening at 5:45 for them. Once I got the first family, it was easier to get a few more. I discovered I was able to earn a third of my income for the first half of a year after opening by accepting drop in clients ( scheduled at least 24 hours in advance). Maybe advertise that on Facebook groups and see if you can just start generating an income.

[SilverSabre25]

Facebook has been my saving grace recently. Prior to recently it was almost 100% Craigslist. Then, I quit advertising there because the people were flaky, never coming to interviews, or horrible clients if they signed up. Spent a couple years running seriously low and then starting making myself known in some active local facebook groups, both of the BST (buy sell trade) variety and the "mom" variety. It was a growing process of getting "known" in there before I started advertising my daycare. For a couple months I was responded to EVERY person saying they needed child care recommendations. Finally in the space of 2 weeks I got 2 new kids, putting me at full for the first time in 3 years. So it wouldn't hurt to try FB if you have active local mom groups.