New to this

[NewCare4U]

Hey everyone,

Im new to this home daycare business. I know that it takes time to find people who are looking for care but can anyone share their best practices on how they found theirs when they first started out?? I have business cards, Im putting a sign together for the front of the house, Ive advertised on almost every site that you can imagine and Ive only got one bite and that bite found another care somewhere else. Please help me out :)

[Artsand crafts]

Do you have a webpage? Inquires increased for me when I created mine. I started with an agency and stayed with them for the 1st year. They brought me clients, but they took a BIG part of my paycheck. That is the reason I left.

[torontokids]

I've only been doing this for 1.5 months and aside from my website, Kijiji and Craigslist; the best two ways I have generated phone calls is from advertising with the school and having my paper boy distribute flyers for my daycare on his route. I have just started and I get a lot of referrals from "word of mouth" from someone who's friend received a flyer or from a mom mentioning my daycare at a mom's group.

I also recently connected with another provider and I am sending her a referral for an infant (as I don't want another little one right now) and hopefully she will return the favor down the road.

[cfred]

Welcome to home daycare :)

I've found my website to be the biggest draw. People often find me on here, but choose to interview more based on my website. It's been said by several that it just looks professional. If you've done any work with kids and can get some people to give you testimonials, that's a big help as well.

You'll get bites....you will. They can never come fast enough when you're really wanting them to. A watched pot never boils. Hang in there!

[NewCare4U]

Thanks everyone!! Looks like Ill probably getting a website up =)

[playfelt]

Hi NewCare4U - CCPRN offers childcare connection meetings held monthly across the city. They are free and gives you a chance to connect with parents looking for care as well as other providers.

[treeholm]

I filled up right away because another daycare provider saw my ad, felt we were in synch philosophically, and sent me her overflow. In turn, I've referred my overflow to two other daycare providers whom I got to know and felt I could trust. My advice is to get to know the other providers in your area, and when you find one who shares your style, offer to refer back and forth.

[FSD]

Website works really well!! Check out webs.com ~ really easy to set it up, and it's free!!

[Momof4]

I agree that a website is your best selling tool. Advertise your strengths, anything that sets you apart from the rest of the caregivers so that it catches the eye of the people who realize that you are the one they want. Be confident during your interviews and professional at all times and keep advertising. Sometimes it takes a long time to find the right families but you have to be determined and patient.