Having a hard time filling my spot!

[lori123]

Hi everyone,

It seems if I had any luck, it would be bad! I can't seem to find one more child to complete my daycare. I am posting on Craiglist, Kijiji, here, godaycare, daycare canada and having zero luck. Its crazy on Kijiji at the moment, I have to repost my ads, two - three times a day to keep it on the first three or four pages of ads for watching children. I lost two children in June (both teacher mom's off for the summer and having baby #2), managed to refill one spot but am still looking for one more child.

Has anyone else feel like its been a slow period for them? It seems when I do get an interview, it falls through because either a parent loses their job, shifts change or grandparents are stepping up to watch their children, instead of coming here. Sighs, I just feel like its never going to happen! LOL, and then all I have had are the weirdos calling (re:creepy phonecalls thread!) and that just made me feel terrible!

Something has to change, right? right??? Sorry to vent, just frustrated - there must be a child out there that needs me! Argh, signed, frustrated in Brampton

[Play and Learn]

Very slow period! For others in my area, they're finding it ok. There's just no teachers' looking for care in my area!!!!

Just be patient. Someone perfect will come soon enough!

[lori123]

Hi P&L, do you only take teachers? they are the best, aren't they though? amazing hours! i do hope someone comes to my door sooner than later, sometimes it pours and you have to turn people away completely and its so frustrating when no one turns up! *fingers crossed in Brampton* thanks for the boost, Lori

[horsegirl]

It seems to be a sign of the times lately. With the economy doing so poorly a lot of parents are getting help from grandparents or friends.
I started filling my daycare by dropping off notices at schools, churches, rec. centres, doctors and dental offices in the area. I made a point of taking the children I had to the grocery store with me and talking to customers that were shopping with children. I would tell them about my daycare and hand out business cards. The more I was seen in the area the more calls I got for daycare. I would go to the schools at the end of the day and meet with parents and other caregivers picking up from the school. I'd hand out my cards and let them know that I had space for children.
We formed a networking group with other daycares in our area and soon we were referring to each other. The more you are out in the public the more chance you have of increasing your business. We have a resource and referral program offered by the province and I registered with them as well. Being a licensed daycare seems to help fill my spaces, as parents seem to prefer the regulated daycares to the non licensed ones.

Hang in there hopefully the economy picks up soon and business will get better.

[Play and Learn]

Hi P&L, do you only take teachers? they are the best, aren't they though? amazing hours! i do hope someone comes to my door sooner than later, sometimes it pours and you have to turn people away completely and its so frustrating when no one turns up! *fingers crossed in Brampton* thanks for the boost, Lori

I try to take teachers or families with great support systems. I take up to 10 weeks of holidays/year! And I only work 7:30-5, but would LOVE to change it to 7:45-4:30!!!!

What I've done, and will continue to do (because we know that when it rains, it pours) is to have a waiting list. I'll interview the families, and if I do like a particular family, but just don't have the space for them, I'll ask if they would like to be put on my waiting list.

It worked once for me, as one family pulled with no warning, and then I called the family on the waiting list, and they started the next week!

[horsegirl]

I agree waiting lists they work well. It has worked for me in the past and I continue to keep the list. I phone the parents monthly and let them know if I have or am expecting a space to come open. They appreciate this and if I do not get a space I will call a few other caregivers and find them a spot.

[Skysue]

Hi,

Sometimes I think if people see you updating your ad all the time to the top, like on Kijiji.ca it resets the number of hits off and people think something just maybe wrong with your space etc...
It sends a message of desperation.

What is your top line? Something like only one full time space left starting Nov 1st! May catch the eye of someone with less pressure.

As a parent who was on the search a few years back if I saw ad's frequently I really though why can't they fill there spaces.

I do know its really competative right now but refresh it once a week and trust me people will call. Put the word out to all your daycare parents that your looking to fill one more spot and if they know of anyone. Word of mouth really is our best tool!

Good luck!

I'm looking to fill one more spot too and I'm hoping for a great interview tomorrow night, that's if the parents show as they re scheduled last week!

[Skysue]

Hi Lori,

Well I just wanted to pour it all out to let you know I know exactly how your feeling. Times are really rough for me right now! I have 2 DCK's starting next month and boy has it been a stuggle to stay a float this past month. I just got stood up tonight for an interview and it sucks! All it takes is a phone call.

All I need as well is to fill one more space and its soooo hard to find an older child. To fill my ratio I am really hoping for a 2 year old plus!

I just re-posted my ad on kijiji for the week! This seems to be the only site I have luck on!

Good luck to you & I just want you to know you are not alone!

Hugs

A.K.A Desperado

[lori123]

Ugh. Those awful phone calls where "your services are no longer required" are just down right butt kicking! I know EXACTLY how you feel, skysue - last Monday, I had one person schedule an interview on the following Sunday. She was going to be PERFECT - exactly what I needed - a teacher's child, with amazing hours, older girl to fit my ratio and then only got a voicemail standing me up on Friday morning and doesn't want to reschedule. Its a feeling like someone kicked you in the stomach because you get so excited and happy about it only to have the rug pulled out from under you and feel blue again. So, yes, I totally feel for you and know how you feel. It takes about a day or so to pass and you will remember its their loss, not yours.

I need one more child not only to complete the daycare but to pay for my youngest daughter's morning program for SK - I felt she was not only being aggressive with the dck but didn't meet all her academic checklists for JK and needs some extra help and stimulation of being around kids her own age. But its killing me financially to keep her in the program and I just see my line of credit increasing !! Arrrrgh! You definitely don't get rich doing daycare!!

However, today, I got two phone calls - one that I had to say no to - they wanted much longer hours and only two days a week (don't any of these people read my ads with my stated hours in it?....lol, but I digress!) and the second is sort of promising....but the main problem is that they have two children and I only have one spot. However, its again good hours and it sounds like a reliable family here and they still want to interview with me.

But now, I am in the tough position bc if I want these two children, it means I would have to terminate one family (been thinking about it for awhile to do so) who is late picking up (they work far away), has the latest hours (until 5:30pm while all my other dck are gone by 4:00-5:00) but has given me other perks like nice christmas and birthday gifts and are really nice people overall. Its a tough decision for me to terminate a steady but late family, but then again, who knows, this new family may back out but I think I will still interview with them.

Sorry for the long post! I hear you Sue, things will pick up....they HAVE TO!!

[mamaball]

I'm having the same trouble here things start sounding good then it all changes again and most of my calls are for under 2 and part time I'm feeling a little dicouraged aswell trying to be patient ..but the thing that is driving me crazy is I know there are places in town that are taking more kids then aloud and parents seem ok with that " sigh "
praying things will turn around your not alone