How many inquiries do you receive?

[Emma H]

I wanted to ask you all out of curiosity how many inquiries and/or interviews per week/month you receive?? I seem to be going through a dry spell! I haven't had an inquiry or interview in about a month and even though my spots are all full I will have 4 open spots for the summer-time but I filled 2 in January, and in February nothing. Do you think summer will be a bit easier? considering new kids are starting school in September.
Hoping for the best!!!:(

[Suzie_Homemaker]

I get maybe 2 or 3 cold calls a week asking about care availability. I get maybe same number of e-mail inquiries. I pass on to other carers in area.

If I had opening, rare I need to advertise due to waiting list. If no one on list good fit for starting date, then ask my client if they know anyone needing care. Usually filled that way.

Sometimes if many places at once due to September school, I put ad on Kijiji. In October I place ad for one leaver for September 2015. Pregnant Mom come out day before Thanksgiving. She sign for place but not need until October 2015 but knows must pay once place empty from school leaver.

I rare have place open as people stay until school and not leave for second mat leave but keep first child in care hoping for place for new baby.

I last had vacancy in Sept 2014. I have one school leaver Sept 2015 which have contract and deposit filled. I have no more until Sept 2017 unless someone move away.

January and February normally busy, busy time. Lots of people looking for care once Christmas finish and usual need quick start. Delayed looking because of holidays and now in panic. Next busy time is May and June, people getting in before school breaks and school age children take all spare places for summer time. Local know to get carer before students Moms start looking for summer. July & August busy but for people looking for September - teacher who mat leave end June/July/August all look for start in September and all new people look for start then too.

Slow time of year is April and December.

[bright sparks]

How long is a piece of string? lol Honestly it varies for many different reasons. Saturation of providers in your area, birth rates, the going rate, centres and daycare providers opening and closing. The last 1-2 years seems to have been a particularly slow time for a lot of us in the GTA, but it's not exclusive. I remember at one point there was nearly always a thread in the top ten about the frustrations of not being able to fill spots. It was hard for a long time for those of us relying on the income. I thing it is hard to say on a grand scale as every provider brings something different with their services. I just found that during this time I wasn't even getting enquiries so it wasn't so much me, my program or my rates because every enquiry I did get always resulted in a signed contract and great feedback. For me I think it was because there was a sudden onset of mums staying at home and offering home daycare for a good $10-$15 less per day. There were close to 20 who did this. 2 years ago I was getting anywhere from 3-12 enquiries a month and currently I'm lucky if I get 2 a month but sometimes there is a peak. In the new year I got about 12 in 1 week but it was totally random. I don't particularly find any time of the year to be busier with enquiries than the other. Maybe May/June but that is specifically for school aged kids looking for summer care which I don't offer.

[sandylynn]

I know this is probably wrong....but once in a while I will advertise...(even if I am not looking to fill a spot) just to test the market ....I will then put them on a waiting list...they seem to be ok with this as they are usually looking for 6 months down the road and there might be a good chance I will have something open.

[bright sparks]

I always advertise. You never know what can happen. On any given day someone could give you notice and I want to have people lined up. Also lots of people enquire way to far in advance unless by chance you know a child is going to school or a parent on mat leave who will be pulling their child. I do not wait for a spot to open up to advertise. I keep my advertisements active to enquiries for my availability because while there are families requiring care within a week or two, there are still by far more, in my experience, who plan ahead and are looking for the future which we have no way of predicting. I don't think it's wrong what you are doing sandylynn.

[Suzie_Homemaker]

How long is a piece of string? lol Honestly it varies for many different reasons. Saturation of providers in your area, birth rates, the going rate, centres and daycare providers opening and closing. The last 1-2 years seems to have been a particularly slow time for a lot of us in the GTA, but it's not exclusive. I remember at one point there was nearly always a thread in the top ten about the frustrations of not being able to fill spots. It was hard for a long time for those of us relying on the income. I thing it is hard to say on a grand scale as every provider brings something different with their services. I just found that during this time I wasn't even getting enquiries so it wasn't so much me, my program or my rates because every enquiry I did get always resulted in a signed contract and great feedback. For me I think it was because there was a sudden onset of mums staying at home and offering home daycare for a good $10-$15 less per day. There were close to 20 who did this. 2 years ago I was getting anywhere from 3-12 enquiries a month and currently I'm lucky if I get 2 a month but sometimes there is a peak. In the new year I got about 12 in 1 week but it was totally random. I don't particularly find any time of the year to be busier with enquiries than the other. Maybe May/June but that is specifically for school aged kids looking for summer care which I don't offer.

This true.

Not huge amount of carer in PEI but not huge amount of population either. Some local carer charging just $22 for full day with meals and snacks but they soon go out of business.

Once have a good name and rep and experience, it big help with word of mouth which is always better.

Three year ago was slow on island. Lots of parent lose job with local firm closing and lots of moms try to open day care and earn when at home but inexperience mean under charging trying to be competitive and not understanding that they working for free is not charging enough.

All the new carers did affect everyone for a while. Of course, young family like to save on day care fee but experienced carer make mistakes as they learning. Mistake on too flexible hours, too low fees. Also parent realize over time that cheaper care not always good care which challenges children. Sometime experienced carer worth fees if problem phase or toilet train or child need extra help with some development.

It all settle after about 8 months parent look for carer basing on skill not cost and cheap carer realize lot of work for little money and either close day care or learn lesson and charge fair fee.

I am super lucky. Family grown up so for me this is extra money job for our vacations or luxury expense. I just work 4 days a week. Close Friday always and like today, children often leave early if parent on fishing boats as they finish work around noon.

[bright sparks]

This true.

Not huge amount of carer in PEI but not huge amount of population either. Some local carer charging just $22 for full day with meals and snacks but they soon go out of business.

Once have a good name and rep and experience, it big help with word of mouth which is always better.

Three year ago was slow on island. Lots of parent lose job with local firm closing and lots of moms try to open day care and earn when at home but inexperience mean under charging trying to be competitive and not understanding that they working for free is not charging enough.

All the new carers did affect everyone for a while. Of course, young family like to save on day care fee but experienced carer make mistakes as they learning. Mistake on too flexible hours, too low fees. Also parent realize over time that cheaper care not always good care which challenges children. Sometime experienced carer worth fees if problem phase or toilet train or child need extra help with some development.

It all settle after about 8 months parent look for carer basing on skill not cost and cheap carer realize lot of work for little money and either close day care or learn lesson and charge fair fee.

I am super lucky. Family grown up so for me this is extra money job for our vacations or luxury expense. I just work 4 days a week. Close Friday always and like today, children often leave early if parent on fishing boats as they finish work around noon.

I'm glad your dry spell didn't last too long. In the 9 years I've been doing this, this is the slowest it has ever been. I don't find too many stay at home moms opening daycare struggling to fill their spots at their prices, and I think that it isn't necessarily indicative of their ability to provide good care so that means that they will get a good reputation and their naivety at being able to charge competitively from day one effects the industry greatly as a result. I think as well that they manage even if they know they can charge extra because so many plan to close after 3 years or so when their child enters kindergarten which is full time here so then they can go back into the employed workforce. Word of mouth and reputation are amazing things, but a rate that is $10-$15 less per day is something that a considerable amount of people will see as a game changer when they are faced to choose between two daycare providers they like equally. I charge $45 per day and I am open M-Th, only accepting 4 day spots. Some of the others who really don't care to much about making a viable full time income out of this as a necessity, charge $30 a day and are more flexible on their policies. Yes it will bite them in the ass eventually and they will regret it, but that won't stop them from opening their doors with cheaper rates and making it slower for us old schoolers.

[Suzie_Homemaker]

I'm glad your dry spell didn't last too long. In the 9 years I've been doing this, this is the slowest it has ever been. I don't find too many stay at home moms opening daycare struggling to fill their spots at their prices, and I think that it isn't necessarily indicative of their ability to provide good care so that means that they will get a good reputation and their naivety at being able to charge competitively from day one effects the industry greatly as a result. I think as well that they manage even if they know they can charge extra because so many plan to close after 3 years or so when their child enters kindergarten which is full time here so then they can go back into the employed workforce. Word of mouth and reputation are amazing things, but a rate that is $10-$15 less per day is something that a considerable amount of people will see as a game changer when they are faced to choose between two daycare providers they like equally. I charge $45 per day and I am open M-Th, only accepting 4 day spots. Some of the others who really don't care to much about making a viable full time income out of this as a necessity, charge $30 a day and are more flexible on their policies. Yes it will bite them in the ass eventually and they will regret it, but that won't stop them from opening their doors with cheaper rates and making it slower for us old schoolers.

Undercut prices hurt everyone at least for little while. Sometimes it good to educate new providers and plant little seeds of thought.

Do you have FB? It used a lot in little communities like this one. Try setting up a providers support page. Like this forum but local provider and be quick to remove nasty poster and trolls. Then begin to slowly plant seeds.

Sometime when carer ask about rates, they don't see that they working for free. They don't know what can be claimed. So they providing food out of pocket and cheap care. When you break down these cost and let me figure out they working for peanut, then they start to increase fee. This is good. When not competing on price, means competing on service. This where experience counts.

Encourage fee increases. Encourage paid leave. Encourage fair rates. Encourage common practices. All help to be profession and grow contact and support but also held stabilize market place. Take time though. Over time too, natural progression of inexperience showing too. Tricky to manage large group of 7 children if not used to it. Tricky to know ways to help sleep train, toilet train, if not used to it. Many parents learn to value knowledge of experienced carer once they encounter lack of knowledge and unsure themselves.

I tried not to consider the $22 a day people as competition. These were not client I want anyway. But it can be hard to think that way. Try and remember that every place has not so good client who don't value carer. Try and think of cheap carers as people who suck up poor client and leave way clear for you to get good client. Understand? Hard to explain.

When people work for $22 a day or super cheap rates, in time they feel under valued because they are under valued. This effects motivation for works. In time, these carer can struggle to be motivated early morning get up and long day with grumpy children. They start to slip. They also must cut costs so little added value services. Cheapy crafts if any. Cheapy food. IT challenging job to be motivated for lots of year unless really love doing it. Many $22 a day carer not doing it for love but because they think easy money. Soon understand it not easy money and not big money so they move along. You just have to hold on until they do.

[bright sparks]

Undercut prices hurt everyone at least for little while. Sometimes it good to educate new providers and plant little seeds of thought.

Do you have FB? It used a lot in little communities like this one. Try setting up a providers support page. Like this forum but local provider and be quick to remove nasty poster and trolls. Then begin to slowly plant seeds.

Sometime when carer ask about rates, they don't see that they working for free. They don't know what can be claimed. So they providing food out of pocket and cheap care. When you break down these cost and let me figure out they working for peanut, then they start to increase fee. This is good. When not competing on price, means competing on service. This where experience counts.

Encourage fee increases. Encourage paid leave. Encourage fair rates. Encourage common practices. All help to be profession and grow contact and support but also held stabilize market place. Take time though. Over time too, natural progression of inexperience showing too. Tricky to manage large group of 7 children if not used to it. Tricky to know ways to help sleep train, toilet train, if not used to it. Many parents learn to value knowledge of experienced carer once they encounter lack of knowledge and unsure themselves.

I tried not to consider the $22 a day people as competition. These were not client I want anyway. But it can be hard to think that way. Try and remember that every place has not so good client who don't value carer. Try and think of cheap carers as people who suck up poor client and leave way clear for you to get good client. Understand? Hard to explain.

When people work for $22 a day or super cheap rates, in time they feel under valued because they are under valued. This effects motivation for works. In time, these carer can struggle to be motivated early morning get up and long day with grumpy children. They start to slip. They also must cut costs so little added value services. Cheapy crafts if any. Cheapy food. IT challenging job to be motivated for lots of year unless really love doing it. Many $22 a day carer not doing it for love but because they think easy money. Soon understand it not easy money and not big money so they move along. You just have to hold on until they do.

It makes complete sense. I was part of a providers association with over 100 members at one time when I was in the city. I tried to get in on something here but boy is it ever an aggressive click. I tried to set one up for the exact same reasons you outlined but this region has a bad reputation within the home daycare community for being none compliant when it comes to working together. Just ask those organizers of Bill 10 day of action. The providers want no part of it and honestly my thoughts based on what I know of a lot of providers is that it's because they aren't playing by the books so want to stay invisible. New providers who are stay at home mums seem to be open to it, but I'm closing in a few months so really don't have the incentive to invest the time anymore although if I wasn't, then I probably would work at getting something together even if it meant not including the old schoolers who seem to be threatened by the idea of collaborating with their competition to provide better care and working standards all around. It really is a funny region.

[Emma H]

Thanks to all for replying. So far I received 1 client from word of mouth but 99% of mine are straight from kijiji. The FB comment was good but I don't think it would help my case as I don't have "mommy" friends or anyone that would be interested in care and I already linked up my website to my kijiji ad with all of my information. Do you find any other sites that seem to be a big hit? I will be waiting for the warmer months and hoping!
In another thread I read a little bit about Bill 10 with some saying government centres will have a higher ratio now to accommodate more families and others saying there will be more under qualified moms undercharging and affecting others like us so I am unsure of what to think!
Someone will eventually be interested right??? lol guess I can't help but worry sometimes

[bright sparks]

Thanks to all for replying. So far I received 1 client from word of mouth but 99% of mine are straight from kijiji. The FB comment was good but I don't think it would help my case as I don't have "mommy" friends or anyone that would be interested in care and I already linked up my website to my kijiji ad with all of my information. Do you find any other sites that seem to be a big hit? I will be waiting for the warmer months and hoping!
In another thread I read a little bit about Bill 10 with some saying government centres will have a higher ratio now to accommodate more families and others saying there will be more under qualified moms undercharging and affecting others like us so I am unsure of what to think!
Someone will eventually be interested right??? lol guess I can't help but worry sometimes

Worrying is normal in this business Emma, I think most of us would agree that we have all gone through times of uncertainty when it comes to being able to make ends meet during tough times. I had to budget for 50% enrollment to have any sort of calm in my mind. I have my own kids to raise and they get far more expensive as they get older. You will fill your spots eventually so try not to worry or find fault with yourself. If you are confident that your program is good then eventually the enquiries will come in and the spots will fill. My number one source of enquiry is via my website. Do you have one?

[Suzie_Homemaker]

Start building network locally.

Create group on FB for local carers. You admin. Suggest in time add one more admin because FB can have quirk where it random removes member and if it random remove admin, you are stuck and need different admin to add you back.

Sounds odd but look on Kijiji and find ads for other carer in your area and message them. Explain that you are looking to create a network of providers so you can all support each other. Like having virtual work colleagues. Go slow. Invite them to join group.

Be watchful. People will show who they are in time. Figure out who is professional. Who knows regs. Who is experienced. Who is real. Learn which people not trustworthy and avoid them. The group will grow. Each carer you add will know other carers. Start slowly. We did a monthly supper to meet and interact with adults. Someones 4 people can come, sometimes 24. But it build network.

This good for lots reasons.

Helps to have someone to check ideas with
Helps with new curriculum ideas
Helps to encourage level fees
But really good for word of mouth.

I get lot of call and e-mail but I well known locally. If I get calls and no places to offer, then I pass on. You need to position yourself so if you have opening, other providers who are full, are passing your name to parent. In time, you can return favour if they have place open. I get lots of e-mail for local carer who have opening and letting me know so I can refer callers to them.

Something always come along. Try not be tempted in meantime to take person you know not really right person.

Some will be interested, some not so much.

[MsBell]

Thanks to all for replying. So far I received 1 client from word of mouth but 99% of mine are straight from kijiji. The FB comment was good but I don't think it would help my case as I don't have "mommy" friends or anyone that would be interested in care and I already linked up my website to my kijiji ad with all of my information. Do you find any other sites that seem to be a big hit? I will be waiting for the warmer months and hoping!
In another thread I read a little bit about Bill 10 with some saying government centres will have a higher ratio now to accommodate more families and others saying there will be more under qualified moms undercharging and affecting others like us so I am unsure of what to think!
Someone will eventually be interested right??? lol guess I can't help but worry sometimes

Hi Emma H, I know we are not to far from each other. I use kijiji too, and most clients come through there, and word of mouth. if you need some other ideas, they will take your information at the Early Years Centre (in waterloo, they have a flyer binder, you put your phone or email address on it), your local school(s) might take your info and if they get inquiry pass your number one (my school calls me at least half a dozen times a year), some grocery stores still have a community board up (I know both the Zehrs by me do), play groups at community centres are a good way to meet aother providers, and yes, then you can pass on or get referals by them too.
Just a couple ideas, for me I find I have a dry spell, or a storm! I could get a dozen inquires a week, or nothing for months. I don't advertise unless I know I have something coming up, because I hate turning away someone I would love to have, and I find the time it takes getting new clients too much (my own kids are busy!)

[Emma H]

wow thank you so much! I never even thought to advertise in some of those places and I definitely will check it out now.do you have to call most of those places beforehand to schedule or is it just a pin to the wall sort of thing? thanks again :)

[MsBell]

wow thank you so much! I never even thought to advertise in some of those places and I definitely will check it out now.do you have to call most of those places beforehand to schedule or is it just a pin to the wall sort of thing? thanks again :)

Most you just show up and pin it up. With the schools, I would give the principal a call, and introduce yourself, explain what you are looking for (I dont do B/a school care, but I do get parents that are looking for younger siblings care from the principal) When I was first separated, I needed a part time babysitter, so that I could get out for my own sanity, the girl I found had posted her fyler on the mailboxes in the neighbourhood, she was just looking for babysitting jobs....she got tons of calls on those fylers, and they cost her nothing but a walk in the neighbourhood.

[Emma H]

do you know what the cheapest way to do flyers is? (have you done flyers before?) I had about 50 that I photocopied at staples and it cost me about $20 I posted them around businesses and bus shelters but I found that they were just taken down the next morning. I was thinking about going from home-to-home for a long while so that's definitely encouraging me even more now

[torontokids]

Emma, I printed flyers on my computer and gave the paper boy in our neighbourhood $20 to slip one in every paper. Might work for you.

[sandylynn]

Bright sparks...where abouts are you located?

[bright sparks]

Bright sparks...where abouts are you located?

Ontario-Niagara Region

[Emma H]

I was going to use vista print for flyers but they charge 300 for a 1000 copies so I'm not sure if that is a good deal? I also used them for business cards, 500 for ten dollars!

[torontokids]

You don't need 1000 copies. Plus, info may change like your phone number. If you don't have a printer then buy a cheap one for $30. Cheapest option and you don't need anything glossy/fancy.

[5 Little Monkeys]

It varies from month to month. I normally find June/July and September to be the most popular months for start care. This September is beyond crazy though!! I have stopped keeping a formal wait list and have told parents to contact me when they see an opening on my facebook dc page. I advertise there, a local fb childcare page and on a local city website/forum. My dc facebook page and word of mouth are probably my biggest assets when it comes times to filling a space.

I agree with BS, it is common to worry in this profession! Our income is unstable and inconsistent because we really don't know when a family is planning on leaving. I used to have a 2 week notice but found it was just too stressful and so I have increased it to a month. I can normally fill a spot within that time but the stress of it has gone down now that I know I have a month to fill it. However, last year I went I think 3 months with an open spot...not fun!

Good luck with advertising...it sounds like MsBell has some great suggestions for you! I am sure you will fill soon :)

[Emma H]

The only issue I'm having is I don't even have a personal facebook. How would I go about advertising or creating a page for moms? I don't know who would see it! lol

[5 Little Monkeys]

The only issue I'm having is I don't even have a personal facebook. How would I go about advertising or creating a page for moms? I don't know who would see it! lol

I'm not really sure how facebook all works LOL. I have a personal account but it is not linked to my dc page and I have my settings set high (at least I hope I do, fb likes to change things from time to time) so if a parent did find my name on facebook (I don't use my last name) I think all they can see is my display pic and maybe a few random things. Once you have a fb account for dc you can advertise that on your flyers, website, classifieds etc.

[Suzie_Homemaker]

I did not have FB account until I moved to PEI but everything run on it here. From if the bus cancelled to if the store has milk, it all on FB. When the fisherman round a certain point, then it go on FB so the wives know how long before they are home. Everything on FB in little community.

Maybe for your community no best plan but here, if it not on FB, then it not really happening.

You have to figure out what is common form of communication in your community and get on that otherwise you miss out.