Anyone else having a hard time filling spots?

[Skysue]

I am looking to fill 2 more spots for Sept & I have had my ad out there on Kijiji.ca since June and only responses I have gotten are for people looking for care for young babies or before and after school. Two things I'm not looking for!

Am I being too picky?

[Play and Learn]

Do you have a listing on daycarebear? That's where the majority of parents have found me. Yes, you're being picky - but it is your business! You have to deal with the people you take on!

Other places where I've advertised:
-daycarecanada
-online parent magazines - i think one of them was parent review
-because i'm close to Ottawa, I used usedottawa.com, as well as kijiji.ca
-flyers on local mailboxes, grocery stores
-Early Years Centers

Good luck, and keep being picky! You'll fill up soon enough - only took me a year!
-

[Sarah]

Yeah me too I'm having a hard time. Out of 3 spots, only one is filled up, by a 12 months old.

My house is clean, I have 2 playrooms, a big backyard, a trampoline, swings and slides, but no one take the spot. Also have experience, references, everything!

I'm thinking of lowering my fees...

I need the money. Paying a house in QC, paying an appartement in TO, 3 kids to feed, prepare for school in 2 weeks, etc...

Sorry I took your post to complain but I had to let it out, it's killing me!

Sarah

[Play and Learn]

Also have experience, references, everything!

I'm thinking of lowering my fees...

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE don't lower your fees.....makes the rest of us look bad for charging so much (even when we aren't). It took me a full year before filling up. Could you take on another job that you could do at home while waiting for little ones to take your spots? (Ie: Stampin' UP!, Tupperware, Epicure, Avon, Pampered Chef, etc....)

[Emilys4Guppies]

I am looking for 12mo and so I've had no trouble filling my spots. But, all my interest is from parents of infants...no preschoolers at all. I advertised my empty spots in May for summer care and got nothin'.

[Sarah]

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE don't lower your fees.....makes the rest of us look bad for charging so much (even when we aren't). It took me a full year before filling up. Could you take on another job that you could do at home while waiting for little ones to take your spots? (Ie: Stampin' UP!, Tupperware, Epicure, Avon, Pampered Chef, etc....)

I know Play and Learn, I know! I do not want to lower my fees but I do need the income. I will look into the things you suggested for sure! Thanks for the advice! I'll let you know if it works out

[Judy Trickett]

This year is very slow, IMO. I am in this 8 years now and I have never seen it as slow as it is out there. This year will be a true mark for the lifers versus the newbies or those just in it to "stay home with their own kids". Not that there is anything wrong with any of those reasons but the lifers will stay in and endure the slow economy and everyone else will get out of the biz. I can see a lot of providers closing up shop this year.

[Sandbox Sally]

Sarah and Skysue,

Not even kidding - with the exception of one call, I got ALL my interviews from craigslist. If you're not on there, do it now! As I said in another post as well, take the time to make a nice and informative website. My responses literally tripled when I put up a link to my website on my craigslist ad.

[sunnydays]

I second what Alphaghetti said about the website! I am a new provider and have filled all my spots and have a waiting list (those people probably have found something else by now, but still). Since you mentioned that you have a trampoline, do you think some parents are scared away by that like they would be by a pool? They are known for injuries in chidren. It's just a thought and may depend on the ages you are looking for. If you don't want babies are school agers, you are quite limited...I had almost no calls about preschoolers...they already have daycares!

[Sarah]

I personnally do have a website, and I post every five days on kijiji AND craigslist. Most of the replies I get are either from kijiji or people visiting my website. Some from craigslist also.

I cannot beleive that a trampoline would scare people off. I mean, it's not more dangerous than riding a bike! And people do it. And it's lots of fun. And anyway, all my visits were for 12 months old babies, so the trampoline doesn't really apply to them!

Ah I guess I will try harder and wait! Or as Judy says, I'll be one of the not lifers!!! I'm in it for my kids, I might as well do something else, such as crafting, as suggested by Play and learn!