Enrolling 2 to 3 year olds....

[Busy ECE mommy]

I’m in Ontario as well. I don’t have clients leaving unless they are headed to kindergarten. But I do find it next to impossible to find clients needing care for a child over 2 years old, unless there is a one year old sibling needing care. Most parents get settled somewhere after maternity leave, and only leave if they are unhappy with a setting, or have a move or change in job.
I’ve had an over 2 years spot open for 6 months and can’t fill it to save my life. All the requests are for babies. My prices are much lower than centres in my area, but there really is limited demand for the “over 2’s”. I know of several providers in my area that have been over ratio for the under 2s and had an overlap for a few months of an extra 1 year old, just to keep their spots filled. I would never in a million years resort to that illegal behaviour, but that’s how desperate providers are getting around here(Halton Ontario). I really don’t have any words of wisdom, as I’ve tried it all, and still have space open for an older child. We are surrounded by many new for-profit centres, and people are willing to pay those ridiculously high fees for those services. Generally the licensed centres are so plentiful and home providers are around every corner here. I find there are 2 extremes around here: either they will pay $1700 a month for 1 spot at a centre, or they want the cheapest home daycare regardless of quality. I’m ECE and run a quality program, but many parents don’t care, they want the cheapest price at the end of the day.

[Peacefulbird]

I’m in Ontario as well. I don’t have clients leaving unless they are headed to kindergarten. But I do find it next to impossible to find clients needing care for a child over 2 years old, unless there is a one year old sibling needing care. Most parents get settled somewhere after maternity leave, and only leave if they are unhappy with a setting, or have a move or change in job.
I’ve had an over 2 years spot open for 6 months and can’t fill it to save my life. All the requests are for babies. My prices are much lower than centres in my area, but there really is limited demand for the “over 2’s”. I know of several providers in my area that have been over ratio for the under 2s and had an overlap for a few months of an extra 1 year old, just to keep their spots filled. I would never in a million years resort to that illegal behaviour, but that’s how desperate providers are getting around here(Halton Ontario). I really don’t have any words of wisdom, as I’ve tried it all, and still have space open for an older child. We are surrounded by many new for-profit centres, and people are willing to pay those ridiculously high fees for those services. Generally the licensed centres are so plentiful and home providers are around every corner here. I find there are 2 extremes around here: either they will pay $1700 a month for 1 spot at a centre, or they want the cheapest home daycare regardless of quality. I’m ECE and run a quality program, but many parents don’t care, they want the cheapest price at the end of the day.

Yes. You're absolutely right. Centres in my area are fighting nail and tooth, but strange enough in my case I have a.high rate, my certificate backs my rate up, which is higher than a centre. I really had to work hard on quality. Just like in a centre parents can walk in anytime to see what are we doing. The food plan also resembles of a centre. I think if parents ask for a cheaper plan it is because they can fall under the false idea that "it is just a home"; more laid back, more flexible, informal.

It all starts with how you view yourself and your business . If you see your self professional and serious about your work then they will notice that your work and services aren't just from a regular home like. Many times people asked why I'm not working in a school or centre (and my answer is, they can't pay me enough for what I do, but also those programs have many limitations which could be stressful) I can reach and do more in my own program with my little group than in a big overwelming place.

I also think if now we can't find over two's we will in few years. The new centres are now offering the supposed "quality" but, it won't last long. I'm already hearing complaints of parents on how crowded are those places, Ece's complaints about low wage, etc. It is just a matter of time.