It's been 5 weeks since my last FT DCK left. I had 2 inquiries so far, 1 interview 4 weeks ago and the other one just cancelled this morning.

During this time, I put up flyers in my subdivision, neighboring subdivisions and shopping centers, made announcements about my referral program and promotional specials (temporary discount on fees) on my facebook pages, and updated my website and craigslist.

I am just really bummed that I don't have any children enrolled yet. I don't know what I'm doing wrong. Furthermore, my DH is starting to really get on me about enrollment...he's convinced it's price. My price is in-line with other providers in the area. I'm not the most expensive but not the least expensive either. Anyway, he wants me to significantly drop the price. I don't want to because I want to save some money because I'm pregnant as well. I'm trying not to stress about this....thanks for listening. Anyone have any suggestions or pointers, helpful insight?

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what does your program offer?
when I moved from up state, I decided to find something that no one else is doing and jumped on that. I have had a few rough patches, but for the most part I am always full.

How well known are you in your community? This was also one of the things that made it hard for me to start over again when I moved. No one knew who I was. I started to volunteer in my community and have made a name for myself.

You said that you are pregnant, how far along are you? Do you think that if people do know who you are that this may be an issue for some of them? Maybe they are thinking about all the time off that you will need???? Just a thought on this ....

Don't give up on your advertising, keep going and talk to everyone you know about your services....

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MANY providers in my area have lowered their prices. I have lowered mine by $10 a week, I know of several that have lowered by $20 or $30 per week. The economy is tough and competition is tough. I personally would lower at least a little because at this point, you are not making anything and I can understand why your DH is frustrated. Another thing to consider is more advertising....signs, ads, etc.

What about reconsidering hours or days you are open? what about ages? what about offering after school care, drop ins, overnight or weekend? something to expand your clientele.

Do you know any other local providers? How is their enrollement? I know 3 other providers quite well and none are full right now....everyone is having problems getting kids in unfortunately but at least that is a small comfort that I am not doing something totally wrong here as my spot remains open.

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I have been thinking about changing my license to include school ages. I had an inquiry during spring break for two, but could not take them because I was not licensed for that age.

I don't know any of the providers in my area personally, but judging by their craigslist ads, they appear to have openings.

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I'm so afraid this will happen to me when I open. I've been scoping out other provider's adds to see what they do. I've seen some really awful adds too, like will take any child any age any hour! And then they don't provide much other information. To me that comes off as desperate and doesn't provide me enough information. I always look at an add like would I want to send my child there? The best ads I've seen on CL and other places had pictures of the child care area and included things like cpr certified, license number, weekly rate, ages accepted and what they offer. Maybe take an objective look at your ad? It could be an awsome ad, idk, but it never hurts to take a fresh look. Maybe??? Just a suggestion from a newbie. idk anything

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Thanks for the feedback. I'm going to go back and look at my ad and check out other ads and see what improvements I can make. Good luck in your business venture!

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I open and close later than the other providers in my area. I also offer dropin, weekend and overnight care, but so far, I have only had only one inquiry for those hours. None of the other providers in my area offer weekend or overnight. There are a few providers around here that still have openings, but I think they all have at least one dck.

I am not well known in my community at all. I guess I'll be checking out the next community association meeting.

I am 4 months right now, not really showing. I think it may be an issue for people when they find out, I am planning to work until I go into labor and then take two weeks off, unpaid of course. I have two weeks unpaid leave in my contract...I'll just be using it when I deliver.

Thank you, I will.

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I haven't seen your ad so I could be way off base, but maybe have someone objective read it over for you. There are a lot of ads on my local Craigslist so, as a parent, I have become pretty discerning regarding which ones I contact. Discounts and referral programs and accepting all ages, all times and multiple postings from the same provider can start to feel desperate if you're not careful.

It can also be hard to get the first child because I think parents view one of the benefits of daycare is the socialization their child will receive. It's hard to picture my child playing and having fun if they're going to be the only kid there, kwim? So maybe emphasize all the fun activities you'll do now that would be easier with just one child as well as the structure for the day when you enroll more.

Also, congratulations on pregnancy, that's wonderful for you, but frankly it could be making parents nervous about signing on with you. When I was looking I found an ad that really impressed me but when I contacted the lady she said she was due in a couple months and was scheduled for a C-section but she hoped to just be out 2-3 weeks. I was concerned my daughter would just get acclimated and accustomed to the routine, only to have it disrupted with a big break and have to start over. I was concerned about making alternate arrangements for up to 3 weeks (possibly longer if something didn't go well). I was afraid she wouldn't want to continue carrying for other children once she had two of her own. I was concerned she would underestimate the difficulties of caring for 2 toddlers and a newborn (she was more SAHM than super-experience provider). I think the more you can reassure parents that you can handle it all and have thoroughly thought out the impact your pregnancy/newborn will have on the program, the more like they'll be to sign on.

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What does your ad say? Do you use pictures? Where are you posting?

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Also list with google. It is free and gets me 3-4 calls a day. i also have it linked to public pictures of my layout.

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There are a lot of good replies here. It can be tough right now just getting clients in the door.

When I first started out I talked to absolutely everyone I knew and asked them all to spread the word and help me find my first kids. The very first sets of kids I enrolled were classmates of my own children. Then when we moved and I started all over, the very first child was the daughter of one of my husband's employees.

Even now, if I have upcoming vacancies, I'll start talking to everyone I know about it. Word-of-mouth can be the very best advertising there is.

Once you get a couple of families in the door it becomes easier to fill the remaining vacancies.

Also, if you haven't already, check the tags at the bottom of the thread for a bunch of advertising ideas from previous threads.

Good luck!

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