Is It Just Me?

[kitykids3]

So I am losing like 3 kids of 7 and the one that was going to return in the fall, isn't.
I have put ads on CL, many fb groups, I'm with r&r, and pretty high in the list on the DCF/YoungStar website because I am 4 star so parents will see me in first page or 2 when checking that site out.
However, I am not getting ANY responses. This is so unusual. Is it just me or does it seem like everything is drying up all over? Or maybe my city is getting overwhelmed. Some other daycares I see keep repeating their ads over and over too.

[Blackcat31]

So I am losing like 3 kids of 7 and the one that was going to return in the fall, isn't.
I have put ads on CL, many fb groups, I'm with r&r, and pretty high in the list on the DCF/YoungStar website because I am 4 star so parents will see me in first page or 2 when checking that site out.
However, I am not getting ANY responses. This is so unusual. Is it just me or does it seem like everything is drying up all over? Or maybe my city is getting overwhelmed. Some other daycares I see keep repeating their ads over and over too.

Maybe it's the time of year?

My state just announced the they will be giving 74 school districts FREE preschool for 4 yr olds. Of course not all district will be getting the funding but every single school district in my area was approved.

[childcaremom]

I have noticed that here, as well. Usually this time of year is busy with a back to school rush (September here) and everyone has left it until the last minute.

There has also been an increase in sahms providing childcare here. Lots of repeat ads of established providers.

But I have noticed that a lot of the care requests lately are for off-hour care and extended hours, and an irregular schedule.

Hope things pick up for you!

[Leigh]

So I am losing like 3 kids of 7 and the one that was going to return in the fall, isn't.
I have put ads on CL, many fb groups, I'm with r&r, and pretty high in the list on the DCF/YoungStar website because I am 4 star so parents will see me in first page or 2 when checking that site out.
However, I am not getting ANY responses. This is so unusual. Is it just me or does it seem like everything is drying up all over? Or maybe my city is getting overwhelmed. Some other daycares I see keep repeating their ads over and over too.

I had some kids move away this winter (March?), and it took until July for me to fill up again. Now, I have two openings coming up when school starts, and have had literally dozens of calls in the last 8 weeks. DOZENS. All for infants. My openings are for kids over 2.

Do you have any contacts that you can ask for references? I've posted to my Facebook friends that I have openings, and asked them to refer people to me if they know someone looking. I've reminded my local DSS that I have openings (I've had referrals from them). Teachers, librarians, pastors/church staff, etc. Tell everyone.

[spud912]

I noticed this too! Also, I used to land every interview, but parents seem to be more picky this time around. I think price is a bigger-than-normal deciding factor lately.

[spud912]

I had some kids move away this winter (March?), and it took until July for me to fill up again. Now, I have two openings coming up when school starts, and have had literally dozens of calls in the last 8 weeks. DOZENS. All for infants. My openings are for kids over 2.

Do you have any contacts that you can ask for references? I've posted to my Facebook friends that I have openings, and asked them to refer people to me if they know someone looking. I've reminded my local DSS that I have openings (I've had referrals from them). Teachers, librarians, pastors/church staff, etc. Tell everyone.

I do get inundated with inquiries for under 18 months old. I usually don't take children under the age of 2, but especially not under the age of 1.

[daycarediva]

I'm still doing ok BUT I lost TWO kids to UPK this year. One is leaving completely and the other is going 1/2 day and I told them that I couldn't change their rate, so I doubt that they will stay.


I DO NOT get the UPK appeal. Our UPK is AWFUL and has 3x the ratio I have.
One parent said "I want her to get used to a higher ratio"

Um, you want her, as a sensitive 4yo, to get LESS 1:1 attention, and remove her from a program you love, and the bond with a caring teacher for the past several years?

That must be best for her. OOOOOOK.

[Annalee]

I am still interviewing for 3 spots as well...The calls are just now starting for me....August and January are my best call months.

[DaveA]

One thing I've noticed around here is a lot of people have a friend/ family member unemployed and are putting children with them for cheaper care that gives the money to the person they know. So it's taking a longer amount of time to fill spots.

[mommyneedsadayoff]

My area is becoming saturated with daycares. They use to be very hard to find, but now it is just infant care that is harder to find. Every daycare in town seems to have multiple openings these days.

[midaycare]

I don't do waiting lists, because when I have an opening it's usually a year out from when parents call. So it's always first come, first serve (assuming interview goes well).

I get calls in waves, and there really is no pattern. We live in a touristy town with high growth, so I get calls from people still living in other states looking to secure a spot when they move. Some months I get at least one call every day. Then the next month, nothing.

The majority of my kids are part time due to parents working part time, and/or family watching their kids for 1-3 days per week. This is both good and bad. I have had a Mon-Wed spot open starting in Sept that I've known about for 3 months. I still can't fill it. Just hasn't worked with anyone's schedule. If it doesn't fill, it will be my first unfilled spot since I opened 3 years ago.

[Missjaime]

I was in your exact same position until just recently. I had 2 full time spots available since beginning of July and had started getting really worried (and poor!). Then I started advertising on a FB site that my area has for "Area Licensed Family Child Care Homes". It is a great site, has full listing of licensed care providers and a ton of potential clients. I wish I had heard of it sooner! Since I have advertised there, I have filled one full time spot and have three families vying for the final spot (two are part time - only 2 or 3 days, the other is part time - 5 days but only till noon). I'm kind of at a place where I like all the families and would be happy to take whichever one gets me a contract and holding fee first!
I also had to turn one family down because I didn't think it would be a good fit (mom said her discipline method consisted of yelling and spanking, and those things never worked for her - huh, I wonder why??). That was hard, because we could use the income, but I just knew it would be a bad fit.

Anyways, long story short, keep the faith. Search for new advertising venues, get your name out there on FB - I tell you, I have never had so many calls at once! Good luck!happyface

[jenboo]

I'm full and have a waitlist going but. ..i only take 0-24 months. The market is saturated with over 2 care so I found my niche. I don't see myself having issues staying full.
I know this age group isn't for everyone though.

[TXhomedaycare]

I just termed one (my first one) and have one moving next week and it has been really slow for me. I only get calls for infants and I take 18 months and up. I have been full since I opened 2 years ago so this is new for me but I do have a church literally next door that has been marketing theiron new full-time preschool and childcare starting at 6 weeks. I always think about doing infant care but since my son's are 2 and 5 I think they would be miserable with babies.

[Pepperth]

I don't do waiting lists, because when I have an opening it's usually a year out from when parents call. So it's always first come, first serve (assuming interview goes well).

I get calls in waves, and there really is no pattern. We live in a touristy town with high growth, so I get calls from people still living in other states looking to secure a spot when they move. Some months I get at least one call every day. Then the next month, nothing.

The majority of my kids are part time due to parents working part time, and/or family watching their kids for 1-3 days per week. This is both good and bad. I have had a Mon-Wed spot open starting in Sept that I've known about for 3 months. I still can't fill it. Just hasn't worked with anyone's schedule. If it doesn't fill, it will be my first unfilled spot since I opened 3 years ago.

How do you go about filling a spot that is Mon- Wed or something of that nature? Do you advertise it as such or just hope that the right family calls? I think I'm going to have a similar opening soon, so I've been curious.