Feeling really frustrated

[sunnydays]

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.

[DeeDee]

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.

[DisneyPrincess]

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!

[ms.kelly]

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!

[ms.kelly]

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!

[torontokids]

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.