If you were looking for a dependable daycare?

Question

If you were looking for a dependable daycare where would you look? I've been a nanny for the last five years and now that the little one is going to school I'm opening an in home daycare. The problem is that I haven't gotten any kids signed up. And I'm having a bit of trouble figuring out how best to get them. So if you parents or other daycare owners know of a good way please let me know.

Answer 1

I have been a licensed child care provider in my home for 21 years.  The majority of my families have come to me via word of mouth - typically the best advertising.  The rest of my families have come to me through an organization in our area called Child Care Network.  In addition to offering various resources for child care providers, they provide the free service of matching providers with openings with families needing care.  In the state I live in, Michigan, if you care for any unrelated children on a regular basis you are required to have a license.  If this is not the case in your state (every state sets their own licensing rules and regulations for Child Care homes) or you have thought you would run an unlicensed home, you may want to consider becoming licensed (some states require registering instead of licensing).  There are many resources available to licensed providers, at least in our area.  Look in your telephone book in the yellow pages under Child Care Referral Services to see if you have an organization similar to this in your area.  You can also advertise in your local newspaper.  Other good resources are to let local pediatrician offices know of your daycare as well as your local elementary school secretaries.  If you have a church you can also let your pastor know.  Let your friends, neighbors, and acquaintances know you are opening a day care in your home.  We live in a small community and the bulletin board at our local grocery store usually has a few notices of openings in home daycares on it.  I never lack for families as all I have to do is start spreading the word that I have openings and my phone starts ringing.  Tell the families you nannied for that you are opening a daycare in your home and you'd appreciate it if they could give your name and phone number to anyone they hear of looking for child care.  Personal referrals, in my opinion, are the best way to build up your client base.  It can take some time, but if the word gets out and you are good at what you do then your roles should be filled and stay filled.  Good child care is at a premium all over.

Answer 2

We actually found our current babysitter (day care) on Craigslist.  You should list yourself there.  If you can, include a picture of yourself with a smiling child (!) and stress that you have excellent, checkable references.

Answer 3

Find out if there is a Child Care Resource and Referral Agency in your area. They are sometimes called Child Care Council or Day Care Council. Make sure you are listed with them and check in every once in a while to let them know you have openings. Get to know the folks at the local elementary schools and tell them you have openings available. See if your local library and supermarket will let you post a flyer. Spend a little money on advertising. If you belong to a church or any other organization make sure they know about you. Also, are you prepared to give care during non-traditional hours such as night or weekends? Sometimes that is a selling point.

Answer 4

i have found if your house is very clean cut (not cluttered) it helps. also haveing a written day plan and storage system for toys. basically anything to make you look more on top of things. i have a mini frige specifically for the children i watch due to the fact that i provide care for a low price and they provide their own meals (i would also suggest this if you are providing for mainly infants).