Daycare Startup Not Going Well, Need Help And Advice

[CalCare]

I think I would do pictures of activities that really show an certain area of development and then label it that way. For example take a picture of child building with blocks and say something like "Building with blocks promotes Cognitive development. Children develop thinking, problem solving, and they hypothesize and test out ideas plating with blocks."

And as a previous post, better if it's not all one child (your son). You could avoid it by not showing his face. Have his back turned and he is building, show only his hands mushed in playdoh, etc. You can put all the areas of development pics on the "about" page.

Also, "babysat" is used to describe the staff's previous experience with children. Better to just say "cared for" "provided child care for" "worked with children" etc. "Babysat" doesn't sound professional. Maybe write the philosophy very clearly, ex: "At Darling Ducklings, we believe that..... Because of that, we plan our days.... The children's days are filled with.... " And place that information under the actual heading "PHILOSOPHY" .

When you describe your bio (Ashley), I don't think you should say "OUR family... "etc. I think it should be written third person, "Ashley ... is a mother and child provider. She has worked with young children for ... years..." etc. Very professionally explain your education and experience. Same for Sue and your husband.

I guess the main thing I feel from the website is that I don't know how you are with the kids. Maybe if you could explain for guidance methods/ philosophy/policy and the types of activities you would typically provide, etc...

I disagree with some others that the place seems to lived in because, to me, that's how an fcc is going to be. The backyard is going to be your real space. Make a big deal about it. Make various areas in it. Put a shade in one area, a table, chairs with art supplies in an area, a sand and water table in there (all developmental areas: physical, creative, etc)...

Just a few ideas. In honesty I don't think your website has actual problems. These are just thoughts on how to look like you are a professional and look more appealing.

[CalCare]

Actually I couldn't see the patio with the water table etc when I looked at the pics before. I see that now.

[NightOwl]

Try care.com. I've got two clients from there and I only used the free profile.

A Web designer told me that the first page of your website, specifically the top portion that's visible when the browser first opens, is the most important part. If it's not inviting and eye catching, no one will scroll down or click beyond that page. Just food for thought as you're redesigning.

[NightOwl]

One more thing, borrow some kids! Lol. If you have nieces or nephews or friends or neighbors, ask if their kids can come give your space a try and allow you to take some pictures. If they don't want pictures published, ask if you can use pictures that don't reveal their child's face.

[CityGarden]

Congrats on starting your home based daycare --- I am in the process and just know that being where you are now is a HUGE accomplishment.

Now on to the input you requested:

About your website...

• I tried to look at your site on my iPhone and it was really not mobile friendly so I gave up and decided to follow up when I got home. (Many won't so I would make sure your site is mobile friendly.)
  
• I think this was mentioned but I suggest you either drop the breakfast or the morning snack. Parents are not expecting three snacks a day.
  
• I don't like the menu bar at the bottom. Also I think a more reader friendly layout would be helpful.
  
• The inside and outside spaces look nice. I would suggest photos with better lighting and the outdoor space with toys in the yard ------ a water table / sand area, the play structure area, a trikes and riding area, etc. And as mentioned above you can take actions shots that go along with your program.
  
• Host a playdate with some friends of your son or with your friends kids and ask them to sign a release so you can show some children at work/play.

Marketing wise:

• Have you checked out this article? It seems very reasonable. https://www.daycare.com/news/adverti...r-daycare.html
  
• I suggest hosting an open house and inviting the local mom's groups, etc. ---- make the open house like a big old fashioned birthday party complete with sack races, art projects, etc. so you can get some great action shots and get people to meet you and see your space.
  
• Maybe post your craigslist ad here and get feedback. I often wonder why some people post on Craigslist with great response and others seems to post every single day leaving one to wonder ----- why would they have to post every single day.
  
• I too have heard good things about Care.com Maybe market yourself as a nanny-share alternative since you desire to keep such a low number of children. Check out how she has done so: http://juliapong.webs.com/ not saying you should do that on your website but maybe on Care.com
  
• Do you offer infant care? In my area there is a HUGE need for infant care and all infant care in my area has higher rates due to the lower ratio. That might help fill spots.
  

Don't be hard on yourself. It does take time from what I have heard.

[nanglgrl]

I admit I didn't go to the website but I have read what you posted here. You say you're on the low end of rates and that you have a sign on bonus for the first few months. I would get rid of those. When you're too cheaply priced and offer lots of deals it looks desperate and parents might automatically think you aren't a good provider because you don't charge as much the median rate in your area. When you offer lots of deals and charge less than the norm you get crappy clients in my experience.
Another thing, watch how much you post on social media, again too much can look desperate. People start ignoring your posts and think "maybe she's a bad provider so nobody goes there" or "maybe she keeps losing clients". When you do post less is more. I used to post ads listing everything I offered which was what the majority of parents in my area were looking for and I would get few to no responses. Then I just started posting "home daycare opening, contact me for more details!" Then they would email me and I would send them a link to my website and business Facebook page.

[CityGarden]

I wanted to add I went to your business facebook and all of the pics were of the same young boy who I assume is your son I would try to diversify that.

[LindseyA]

I love the concrete wall and chalk paint idea! I would be very tempted to make a water wall or something as well. Also, with the photo issues, can you invite some of your son's cousins, or friends or neighbors over to play so you can snap some pics? I had the same problem at first, with just not having enough kids to take pictures with! As you get more enrollments, there will more opportunities to update your photos. I also have a nice large sign in my front yard. I have gotten most of my clients from that alone!

[Unregistered]

If you plan to rearrange and re-take pics, be sure to gear your toys and equipment to the ages that you want to attract.

If you are taking pics without children, set each area up as if you are ready for the day. Keep in mind the ages you are trying to attract, so a mat and foam blocks for infants, a sunscreen or umbrella to provide shade, find a place to hang a baby swing or two.

If you are taking pics with children, don't show faces. Show backs or hands or legs & feet. Again take pics with children of the age you are trying to attract.

When your messages are mixed it just confuses people, so consistently show what your plans are.

[thrivingchildcarecom]

Actually, I have a few ideas for you:
1. Try offering and advertising more services, i.e. part-time, half-day, etc.
2. Reach out to other child cares. I know that sounds crazy, but no one can take in everybody. They might refer to you if they can't.
3. See if you can accommodate non-typical schedules by offering non-traditional hours.

If you would like a whole list of recommendations, send me a PM with your email and I can forward it to you.

Hang in there!

[Serpentine]

I'm in the same boat!

Licensed for 3 and only have 1 part time kid. I got my license January 2015 and started advertising April 2015.

There are a crap ton of providers in my area :-( I though for sure someone would prefer my small group setting but I think it's actually a turn off!

Best of luck!

[MotherNature]

It does take a while to get started, but some things I noticed,froma quick glance:

Very clean! That's a plus.

There's nothing to do in the backyard. A tiny climbing structure..not fun.

Cords! Some tied up by a lamp, and one hanging down to the ground.

Some may be turned off by forced air vents along the wall, but nothing you can do there.

On the about me page, you switch tenses, from me & we in the first paragraph, to writing in the 3rd person in the others.

[nothingwithoutjoy]

I sympathize. I've got a great reputation and have been doing this for ages, but even still, I've got fewer kids than I want right now. Dry spells come.

I do have a bit of advice. I think, even though your business is new, you want to show what it will be like full, not what it is now. When I was starting up at home, I used photos from my previous classroom to show what sort of things I do. I also think it helps parents to envision the day if you use more photos of the day in action, and less of just the space. I would definitely try to get some shots of kids at play. Borrow kids! When I started, I had an open house to share my space. Then I used those photos (friends' and neighbors' kids). You don't need to show faces; it can be kids from the back or close-ups of their hands, or samples of their work.

I'd also suggest scrapping the enrollment bonus. Stuff like that sounds to me like "if you manage to make it all the way through three weeks you'll get a deal!" as if you're assuming you'll have turnover every month otherwise. I'd assume kids will stay with you for years once you've got them, and present that expectation.

Definitely highlight the fact that you only want a few kids. Some people would really prefer that.

I have been finding that most of my new parents come through facebook. For that reason, I try to post something there every day. Again, I aim to show what I want to have--not what I've got. I am currently working to shift from a younger group to an older one, so since my facebook page's goal is advertising (it's not how I communicate with enrolled families; they have a private blog), I mostly show photos and work samples from my older kids, not the really little ones. Fake it 'til you make it!

Also, my first group came almost completely from my open house. I advertised it for free in the newspaper by offering it as an "event" for toddlers and their families. I put out snack and a few sample activities, ran a slide show on my computer, and gave tours and answered questions. Four signed up that day. Try it!

Good luck. I know how stressful it can be!