Fall Enrollments?

[finsup]

How early do you advertise a potential opening? I have a dcb leaving in the fall and want to have that spot filled ASAP but is it too soon? Do any of you enroll this early or just say put people on a waiting list and contact them closer to the start date? Generally I've filled spots without a long wait time between enrollment and a start date and when there has been a long wait time, well, I've collected a lot of deposits due to parents "change of plans" Part of what makes me want to look now though is I'm really seeking out teacher families and I know they start looking around this time (at least from what I've observed in this area). I can offer a pretty good deal for them, while not having any issues getting to my son's sports practices/games, having summers off from little ones and allowing dcb to return for the summer (which doesn't exactly thrill me but he's my son's best friend so I'll most likely do it ). Anyways, advice? How much would you charge to hold the spot? Apply to care at all? Etc. The spot is not open right now so I don't need to collect regular payment for it until fall when it becomes open.

[CityGarden]

Most of the people interested in my spots now want to start in the fall so I would just state in the ad that the spot will be available in the Fall 2017.

I would require the first 2-weeks payment or first monthly payment (depending on how you bill) and registration fee to hold the spot and the last 2-weeks/month prior to them starting.

It may take a little effort to find the right family so it never hurts to post early.

[finsup]

Most of the people interested in my spots now want to start in the fall so I would just state in the ad that the spot will be available in the Fall 2017.

I would require the first 2-weeks payment or first monthly payment (depending on how you bill) and registration fee to hold the spot and the last 2-weeks/month prior to them starting.

It may take a little effort to find the right family so it never hurts to post early.

Thank you! That's sort of my thoughts on advertising now. I am really picky and have learned a ton in the past 5 years of what I expect for a client . I know I won't be able to prevent all problems, but I'm definitely able to say no. As opposed to when I first started and said yes to just about anyone .

[LysesKids]

Thank you! That's sort of my thoughts on advertising now. I am really picky and have learned a ton in the past 5 years of what I expect for a client . I know I won't be able to prevent all problems, but I'm definitely able to say no. As opposed to when I first started and said yes to just about anyone .

I'm advertising now for a late August position... I do infants & toddlers only and I charge by the month, so it takes longer sometimes to fill positions

[childcaremom]

I am advertising now for Sept for teacher spots. I am picky, too, and know that to get families that will work well with me, I need to start looking now.

Basically, as soon as I know I have an opening, I advertise.

[BumbleBee]

I tend to advertise as soon as I know I will have an opening, though I do mention in the ad when the spot will be available.

[finsup]

Oh good! I'm not the only one advertising this early then . I don't expect a ton of response right now but I definitely want that spot filled by September!

[jenboo]

I already have deposits in for Oct/nov openings.

[finsup]

I already have deposits in for Oct/nov openings.

That's great! I've gotten two responses so far. One was a big fat no . I mean, she's technically on my waiting list but there are so many red flags and scheduling conflicts that I'd have to be pretty desperate to go any further with it. The other looks promising, ftm so, that's fun but generally not bad...It just means a bit more hand holding and training the parent, once they "get it" it generally works out well. Lol I am so glad you guys get what I mean by that, I think if I said this to my friends on the "other side" it wouldn't go over well
But yeah, we'll see!

[jenboo]

That's great! I've gotten two responses so far. One was a big fat no . I mean, she's technically on my waiting list but there are so many red flags and scheduling conflicts that I'd have to be pretty desperate to go any further with it. The other looks promising, ftm so, that's fun but generally not bad...It just means a bit more hand holding and training the parent, once they "get it" it generally works out well. Lol I am so glad you guys get what I mean by that, I think if I said this to my friends on the "other side" it wouldn't go over well
But yeah, we'll see!

90% of my families are first time moms. Only two have been a little crazy so far. **knock on wood**

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

It's not too soon. I filled my fall spots last fall and winter. Take their enrollment form and an enrollment fee (their final two week's tuition). Mine have a semi-flexible start date as they know the student enrolled in their future spot may leave RIGHT before kindergarten starts or they might leave 4 weeks sooner for a little break.