Originally Posted by Unregistered:
We are opening a daycare in the Houston area and are having a hard time with (cheap) advertising ideas! Help please!!!!!
Parent here...
1. Craigslist
2. Website (search engine optimized and/or registered so it appears under searches for "daycare" or "childcare" and your zip code)
3. Fliers posted in fun, kid friendly places where parents might have a chance to stop and look at a bulletin board (more so than someplace like a grocery store where parents are likely rushing and multitasking). Another good place might be doctors or dentist offices.
4. Have friends/family mention it on their Facebook wall "My friend Susie just opened a daycare! If you or a coworker is looking for someone to care for your little one please message me for her contact info!"
In our area we have a LOT of advertisements on Craigslist from start ups, SAHMs and 'I got laid off and want to make money' types. Some offer high quality care but a lot don't and the advertisement is my first step in weeding out the TV and junk food types. Use decent spelling/grammar/capitalization. If you feature photos of your area or your kids make sure the area looks clean, organized, sunny and fun. Make sure if you put pics of the kiddos it's not during a special event when they're eating lots of treats and there are sippy cups all over (a potential client won't know it's a special occasion and may think the kids get marshmallows and cupcakes daily).