Best Time Of Year For Enrollment?
Just curious if any of you seem to have more enrollments during certain times of the year? I was swamped with inquiries way back in August and September which resulted in 2 enrollments, but was really slow after that. It seems to be picking up again the last few weeks and just enrolled an infant to start the beginning of March. My husband and I have been doing daycare for only a couple of years, and are trying to get more kiddos so he can quit his part time job. We are looking to start infants and toddlers to keep long term. So do you find you have better luck during certain months or times of the year?
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Originally Posted by Homebody: |
Originally Posted by amberrose3dg: |
Originally Posted by Homebody: |
Originally Posted by amberrose3dg: |
For some reason I get more calls in January and May. I don't really know why as it doesn't correlate with anything in particular (school being out and the like).
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Originally Posted by MyAngels: |
MyAngels and Justjoy, I'm curious where do you get most of your inquiries from? Advertisements, website, referral agency, or word of mouth? Thanks for your responses.
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Most of mine are word of mouth or Care.com
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Originally Posted by Justjoy: |
Originally Posted by Homebody: |
Originally Posted by MyAngels: |
I get the most calls right before Christmas and right before school starts. It seems there are a lot of parents needing care then but my assumption is that they need care then because they bailed on another daycare because they were charged (or will be charged) for those vacation days.
The thread here on this forum about providers billing over holidays is proof of that :lol: :) All my clients are from word of mouth but I am also listed on several lists/sites in my community so my name is passed out alot by Head Start offices, my licensing agency and our QRIS program. I am also referred alot by past and current families and I have a website with an active wait list so that helps too. |
Originally Posted by Blackcat31: I'm going to look into getting a website too. It seems to be a good way to get more inquiries. Thank you! |
I've got most of my active inquiries from Facebook. I post on buy sell trade groups mom and groups Etc. I've also done Facebook ads but have not gotten any leads from that.
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I get the most interest in January, May/June and August/September.
So far all have come from posting in FB mom groups and one from Care.com |
Originally Posted by Unregistered: Originally Posted by CityGarden: |
The summer with late july & August being being the most popular. January is next for enrolling families. Craigs List is a bargain basement where people look for deals, daycare included. Get your own website. Look for local parent groups on Facebook to get your business known.
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Originally Posted by ColorfulSunburst: |
Originally Posted by Homebody: When you advertise, Loving, home daycare is what a lot of parents are looking for. they don't wanna stick their child in a big loud center where they have to follow rules (heaven forbid) and do work, so a HOME is enough to be a big selling point so know their child can have a home away from home where they can safely play and have FUN all day and mom and dad can get calls and texts from the provider updating them on their day (i did this Centers can't) so they don't have to worry is a big selling point Good luck!happyface |
Originally Posted by BrynleeJean: I just started trying new ways of advertising last month besides using CL, so hopefully I start having better luck. I really don't like having to rely on CL so much because of all the weeding out I have to do. I think most of the people are just price checking. I'm also listed with our state but haven't had any luck with that. Our inspector who came recently thought maybe our location might be the reason we are having trouble filling up. We aren't in a subdivision. We live kind of in the country, but not in the middle of no where. We are close to a major highway and close the suburbs and downtown KC. I'm just thinking if we lived in a more traditional neighborhood we would have better luck. I appreciate your advice.:) |
Ive never tried craigslist but i hear people get a lot of calls from their so i think ill try.
I start my ads with the same thing every time its something like "Registered/licensed home daycare in (city,state) providing loving care in a small group learning environment" or something like that . you could also put "right off the freeway" or at the intersections of blah and blah. Congrats on your word of mouth referral tour coming in i hope it goes well.happyface |
Originally Posted by Unregistered: I have many inquiries from FB as well. I took two families from referrals from FB.... never again. I find it is mostly young moms who complain about their last provider terribly after you enroll them and want cheap daycare. Both of the families I enrolled realized us providers are in charge and opt for family members caring for the child. I prefer word of mouth. Those have been my long term families. ( and great families) |
Originally Posted by LostMyMarbles: |
How did the interview go?
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Originally Posted by TooManyKitties: I did have another interview with someone my brother in-law knows. Only the Dad showed up because Mom and baby were sick, but I gave him all the paperwork. We plan on meeting Mom and baby next weekend when they are better. This one looks promising. |
Thanks for the update. I hope it goes well!
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Originally Posted by Homebody: Hoping the interview with the DCD works out instead! |
What does it mean to "list on Google"? I have 2 of my 3 leaving for school in August. Small town, and while there aren't but a couple of centers and 2 or 3 homes, those ultra-cheap, unlicensed people are killing me. I have had all of my kids since infancy, so I haven't had to worry about it. I had an opening in late 2016, but it was only a temporary one until the new sibling was born. I am starting to fret.
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Originally Posted by Sunchimes: |
Originally Posted by Homebody: |
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