Where Are The Kids?

[MommyMuffin]

Where are the kids? Where are the hard working parents who need reliable, fair priced daycare? Can anyone find them?

Feeling frustrated. Trying to grow my buisness and things have just seemed to stop. I've got 2 open spots and some preschoolers who would love another playmate.

Hmmm...I have been open for 10 months. I have 2 full timers and 2 part timers. And 2 open spots to fill. Ladies who have been in the biz for a while...is this kind of enrollment for the first year average, good...or whoa lady you arent gonna make it.

Now that I am not pregnant for the first time since opening my buisness.....::
I have lots of energy and want to make this profitable.

I just want to be successful!! What gives??? Where are the kids?

[Blackcat31]

Took me almost 15 months to fill all my spaces when I first opened many moons ago. I took everyone who inquired about space (didn't know what I do now ).

Hang in there, it does take a while to build that client base and depending on the area in which you live, I assume it is all directly related.

Just keep advertising, using word of mouth, talking and talking....you WILL get there!!

Soon, you will look back and pray for a quieter day.... LOL!! ::

[Unregistered]

Please don't take this the wrong way but does your program fit what parents in YOUR area are looking for? I know in mine the standard are getting higher and pay isn't following. Next I would look at how you are advertising. If possible use pictures of your current set up, talk about your program highlights. Local elementary schools can sometimes had a flyer out to parents who need care for siblings or even more if you run a pre-k. The last thing to consider is your area over saturated with childcare. Often when people are unemployed they start to think if they can care for their child they might as well do daycare. If that is the case then you have just 2 choices, set your program apart from theirs either with education, certifications and quality or throw in the towel. Just lowering the rates actually makes a quality program look like a babysitter. People will pay for it if it fits their needs.

[Childminder]

Took me awhile when I opened in this location. It goes in waves and right now for me the tide is out My enrollment is down since 2008 but I live in one of the hardest hit areas by the economy. Recently I received a print out from the state showing that available openings far out number the demand what with the unemployment and the amount of people leaving our state. By thousands.

[sharlan]

I know what you mean. I've talked to 5 providers in my area, no one is at capacity. The local schools are killing us for the older kids and there's too many of us for the little ones. The public schools are charging $35 a week for after school care.

I had 2 calls yesterday. The first called and had a list of 15 questions. I told her we could make an appt and go over my policies and her concerns, she was no longer interested. The second asked my rates and hung up, no good bye or anything. I'll pass on both.

[Unregistered]

Maybe if you post your ad we could help you fine tune it? Also where and how are you currently advertising?

[kidkair]

I get calls all the time and then a lot of no shows for interviews. The kids are out there and so are a lot of other providers offering cheap care and also not at capacity. Personally I enjoy my little group and the right kid/family comes along just when I need them to. Good luck!

[MG&Lsmom]

I feel the same. I've seen 3 providers in my area offering 2 weeks of FREE care. I can't do that! And it's the first 2 weeks to boot. I bet they get a lot of jumpers, but still. Also a lot of low priced people too. I'm at my bottom price I can possibly offer for FT. I'm hoping this month picks up with people going back to school. Head in the clouds probably.

[morgan24]

My area is the same, there just aren't very many people looking for daycare.Yesterday I found out that there is a young stay at home mom who isn't licensed has 3 kids of her own and has 9 other kids that she watches. It's really discouraging to not get any calls. I'm not the only licensed provider here that is low on numbers. I live in one of the highest unemployed counties in Michigan.

[justgettingstarted]

Oh I feel terribly discouraged now!

[JaydensMommy]

I really think it depends on your area. I've only been open a few months and am almost full. I have one open spot for SA and I have a part timer in a spot that I'm looking to fill with a full timer(yes, dcm knows that). I'm really not sure how many providers there are in my area, but I know that in my subdivision I am the only one and three of my dck's are kids from my subdivision. My outdoor lawn sign has been great advertisement.

[Unregistered]

Oh I feel terribly discouraged now!

Don't be. I don't know where you live but I have had my license for under 45 days and I am full. I still get calls and emails begging me to let them know if I have a spot come open. There are many factors to consider. If you are worried about over saturation of the market, call your licensing agency and see how many are in you area, google is good for that too.

[sharlan]

I really think it depends on your area. I've only been open a few months and am almost full. I have one open spot for SA and I have a part timer in a spot that I'm looking to fill with a full timer(yes, dcm knows that). I'm really not sure how many providers there are in my area, but I know that in my subdivision I am the only one and three of my dck's are kids from my subdivision. My outdoor lawn sign has been great advertisement.

Where are you at? Our city doesn't allow lawn signs.

[JaydensMommy]

Where are you at? Our city doesn't allow lawn signs.

Central Valley, what about you?

[sharlan]

Central Valley, what about you?

I'm an hour east of LA.