Frustrated!

[Zoe]

I've been advertising for spots now for 3 weeks and I haven't had a single call or email! I've got my one family from when I was unlicensed and an SA, so I've got a LOT of openings here and really want something to get filled, kwim?

I've advertised on craigslist, I have 10 fliers put up in stores and businesses around town (including my DD's dance studio and preschool). I've contacted every mom in my town on facebook letting them know that I'm open and to spread the word. I'm on a daycare directory in my local newspaper that is available online as well.

What else can I do? I'm thinking of placing an individual ad in the daily paper and maybe getting into the phone book (maybe that's old hat, but I'm running out of ideas).

Is this odd that I haven't even got one call?!?

[jen]

You know what I have found to be really helpful..

Post your ad here. Many of the posters are great at marketing; maybe a few tweeks to your ad will get the phone lines ringing.

[TBird]

I'm not getting any calls either Sweetie. And I'm afraid that when I do get a call, it will be some lunatic family on "the run" from another daycare that gave them the BOOT!!!

[MN Day Mom]

I don't think its all that odd considering the economic times we are in. I used to get a few calls every week without advertising. Now I am getting a few calls every month.... the economy has really messed with things.

How many other providers are in your area?? If there are a lot of other options to parents, that will lessen your calls too.

If you have a local paper it might be a good idea to run an ad in there for a week or so just to see what it produces.

Good luck with getting your spots filled!

[daysofelijah]

Do you have your name and openings updated with your local Childcare Resource & Referral? That is how I got several clients when I was first starting out.

[Little People]

It sometimes seems to me the calls come and go. What I mean is sometimes I will get 10/20 calls in 2 weeks time and then only 1/2 the next 2 weeks.

Last week I got 6 calls in one day and were all off my website and for infants, but my website states I have NO infant openings... and all these ladies said I really liked your website...hummm did they read?

Give it time, you will get calls!! Sounds like to me you are getting the word out. have you went back and checked your flyers to make sure they are still there?

Some little league games will start soon....find out where they are and go pass out flyers.

Easter egg hunts will be coming soon...Take LOTS of flyers and pass them out.

[daycare]

here is an idea...

Volunteer in your community with your kids.. We have painted a trash can and we put the name of our DC on it. it says painted by ***XX daycare

We have planted flowers all over the city and the flower sign says planteed by ******X daycare

we helped keep our fields clean for the little league baseball and got our name on the banner that hangs all through the baseball season..

There are a few more, but I cant recall as its been a really long time....

anyways the kids love it and its free advertising.... just some ideas to get your name out there

[TBird]

Oh! I do have one idea...I did call up a few of the ladies in the closest town (my kids actually go to school in that town) that I know do daycare and I told them that we should partner....I'll send them my inquiries when I'm full and they can send me theirs. I think it will work out well because one of those ladies only does drop-in care and has NO INTEREST in full time kids whatsoever (and I have no interest in drop-in kids whatsoever).

So, we'll see...I hope it works!!!

[Zoe]

Wow, these are all great! I've got my CCR&R packet that I need to fill out. I'll call my paper today. Here's what I've got on my flier:

Need Childcare?

Licensed in-home daycare has immediate infant, toddler, and preschool openings!
• Former teacher with Special Education experience! (LD, Autism)
• Arts and Crafts/Song Time/Learning basic skills
• Healthy meals and snacks
• LOTS of fun toys and games
• Backyard with playground set
• Close to downtown
• Full-Time and Part-Time openings available

Call "zoe" at __________________

I've got my title in "word art" rainbow and there's a clip art of a dcprovider with a bunch of smiling kids in the lower right hand corner.

Thoughts?

[daycare]

sounds cute! I like it...

[MommyMuffin]

I am having trouble filling my 2 - 5 year olds, I have 2 openings. I would like to fill one of them and I have put up 2 ads in the past few months with no responses. I am not serious about filling the spots, it would just be nice to at some point.

There are a ton of providers in my area so I plan on putting up flyers when the weather gets a little warmer. I have been wondering why I am getting no calls. Perhaps it is the economy and where I live.

Good luck.

[daycare]

I am having trouble filling my 2 - 5 year olds, I have 2 openings. I would like to fill one of them and I have put up 2 ads in the past few months with no responses. I am not serious about filling the spots, it would just be nice to at some point.

There are a ton of providers in my area so I plan on putting up flyers when the weather gets a little warmer. I have been wondering why I am getting no calls. Perhaps it is the economy and where I live.

Good luck.

I have a ton of providers around me too and i have only had two calls one interview... Its been over a month, but the schedule I have to offer is strange.. m Tu F...

NOt to sound mean but gald I am not the ony one that is goinjg through this..

I think you are right it is the economy too.

[Zoe]

I have a ton of providers around me too and i have only had two calls one interview... Its been over a month, but the schedule I have to offer is strange.. m Tu F...

NOt to sound mean but gald I am not the ony one that is goinjg through this..

I think you are right it is the economy too.

You're not mean. It's honest. I'm glad I'm not the only one too. That's why I started the thread! I needed to know that it's not just me!

[Michelle]

Sounds really cute !!! but I am not saying this to get people mad at me but the line about you being a special ed teacher (in my opinion is awesome) but for some finicky or worried , snobby, parents or parents that might not understand how sweet these special ed kids can be, all they can think about is that THEIR kids won't get enough attention or the autistic kid will be screaming all the time.

You might want to just put former teacher and if someone asks you should tell them about your special ed experience .
Again, I love my autistic dck but I also know how parents think!

[Zoe]

That's a very good point! I hate to say this, but the town I'm in has a lot of snobs, so I can see where you're going with that. Thanks!