Feeling really frustrated

I have had a full time spot open now for 6 weeks. I have had a couple of calls where they only asked my fees then said they would call me back, they never did. I have had four schedule interviews, 2 did not show up, 2 came but I never heard from them again. I had an email inquiry yesterday, but after we set up an interview, she asked my hours then said that those hours don't work. UGHHHHH! I am just so fed up, I have been in this business for over 20 years and I have never had such a hard time filling a space! I am open from 6am-5pm, have my ECE, an amazing playroom and what I think are reasonable rates. I don't want to work longer hours and I am not lowering my rates!!!!! Thanks for reading if you got this far.

I have just filled a spot that has been open since last October, and I have 2 agencies who are suppose to help me find clients. the girl starts next Monday. It is really hard to find clients right now.

I also have had the emails about rates and no show interviews, so I understand your pain.
Its not your hours or your rates, so don't change them. I am convinced there is something in the area. lol they will start coming, it might take some more time, but you will find someone.

I wish you all the best in finding a great family soon.

I hear ya. It's so annoying when parents ask about fees then never call back. Or no shows for interviews...been through all of that too. Not fun. Maybe there is just lots of competition in your area? I know there is in mine.

It seems to be drying up for the moment. I had all my spaces filled, but one had a change in circumstance and gave up her spot 2 days before she was to start. What???? So of course, now all the people on my waiting list have placed their kids. I'm getting lots of inquiries and some interviews, but most for end of summer and many for part time. I've had to increase my part time rates with the notion that I may have to take one of them on. I'd already torn apart my basement for the contractor I hired with that final bit of income in mind, so we're past the point of no return there.....it has to be done. Back to the drawing board. I hate interviewing. I enjoy most of the people, but there are enough that come through here and just pick, pick, pick. I'm ECE, loads of experience, have given my entire main floor to the daycare and keep it very well. It hurts my feelings when the odd clip board mom comes in and shreds me, my home and my business. Blah.......

Thank doG I'm outta here next month! Soooo in need of ME time!

Chin up Jodaycare - it's stinking a little over this way too :)

I reduced my hours and increased my fees (to the upper end of fees around the area) some months ago. Before that I was getting inquiries all the time and people interested. After that it has been hard to fill out 2 spots I have available. Everybody was telling me that the hours did not work, but nobody complained about the fees. So, a few days ago I enrolled a new family, but they will be paying a premium for keeping the kid 30 minutes after closing time... Maybe, we have to find out what the market is looking for and be a little flexible. I love my current hours, but it could take several months until I find someone that need the hours that I have (8 to 5:30PM). I am planning asking the same premium to the next family that gets interested if they want to stay until 6 (at least I can feel that I have something in return for my time). Have you check what other providers in your area are doing? Maybe they are reducing their fees because the market is slow and they are the ones that are getting the clients? I always try to market hard my strengths and the value that the families will get from my service.

My hours are 6am to 6pm so I'm pretty golden there. My fees are low to mid for full time, high for part time. I think there's a bit of a lull as lots of people seem to be feeling it. It'll pass :)

Yes your right Cfred it could just be the market and I am blaming my hours, but I cannot afford loosing the few potential clients that are interested in care for 30 min more. Hope you guys find clients soon as well. For what I can see you are very qualified.

Oh dear, those are long hours and NO you shouldn't work longer hours and you shouldn't lower your rates for anybody. If you've been in business for 20 years have you been relying on word of mouth? Do you advertise everywhere?

What area are you in?

Oh my ! You guys are making me tired with the mere mention of 12 hour and 11 hour days. lol. I do 10 hours and that is plenty. I don't think you need longer hours.

I think there are slow periods and I notice a lot of parents are using grandparents now or else looking for PT because they have the grandparents helping at least some of the week. I think some people are retiring earlier and since people are having kids later it works out for them.

Bad for us but good for them :(

It sounds like you are doing everything you could possibly be doing. The right family will come along.

Sorry to hear you are having a hard time! I have a space for August that I have been advertising for awhile now too without much interest. This is really unusual for me as I usually get a ton of interest right away and fill the spot pretty quickly. I am thinking it is a slow period for some reason...not sure why! Hang in there! Don't extend your hours or lower your fees...you work crazy long hours already! I only work 9 hours and I am not considering extending that at this point.

I here you! I have an opening for 6 weeks now too. Lots of interviews... Still nothing. I'm not changing my rates or hours either.

That was my situation back in january, still had spots opened from november when the year before, took only 1 week to fill all 5. I was pretty discouraged. I almost decided to lower my fee, although it was the same everywhere in the area so... Then in February after keeping advertising everywhere I finally got lots of requests. Some didnt work out and some finally did. Plus had request that I had to turn away.

Like ladies told me here, dont worry, it will work out. Stick to your schedule and your fee if you are in the norm in your area... why change!

I have just taken four months to add to my daycare....same as you...gorgeous playroom and set up...many years of experience....laid off from daycare I was happily working at...and all parents seem to care about now is price! Very scary! While I realize finances for all of us are a mess, never should it come before our children.

In my case, I prefer to accept children from six months, but less of them so we have a nice stresssfree day, and not be driven from school to school twice a day...parents need to understand that if we charge less...we are forced to take in more children...when perhaps we wouldn't...

Hang in there my fellow provider....build it...they will come! Not before we get a few grey hairs perhaps!

perhaps as well...if these parents are so rude...it is best we let them go elsewhere? The parents I have now partnered with are respectful and easy to deal with and so are their children!

I am feeling it too! Fees seem to be an issue here. I noticed some providers dropped their prices a bit but it seems to be a dry spell like everyone is saying. I lost one family that was interested in me because they are with a centre and although their fee is currently higher it will drop as the child gets older whereas mine stays the same. I am just starting and it is hard not to get frustrated. I've reached out to a few local providers with no luck. I wish we could all support each other rather then compete.