| Setting up a quality childcare is only part of what's | | | | update your openings, and tell |
| needed to have a successful | | | | parents in-depth information about the care you |
| program. You also need to let parents know | | | | provide. Many providers also |
| about your business. Since most | | | | report having success by posting ads on free |
| home-based childcare providers do not have a lot | | | | classifieds websites. Placing an ad in a |
| of money to spend on | | | | newspaper is typically expensive, and providers |
| advertising, a little creativity can help you reach | | | | have reported mixed results with |
| parents who are looking for care.Networking is a | | | | these ads resulting in new families signing |
| strong tool. Make sure that everybody you know | | | | contracts.Target your advertising efforts where |
| knows that you | | | | parents tend to gather. Ask toy stores or |
| provide childcare. That way, if they hear of a | | | | children's boutiques if you can display some |
| parent looking for care, they can refer | | | | brochures by the cashier. Ask your |
| that parent to you. Add your business name and | | | | local hospital if you can leave brochures for the |
| current openings to your voicemail | | | | parents taking birthing classes. Put |
| or answering machine message. Parents looking | | | | your business card in trick-or-treat bags at |
| for childcare will know instantly | | | | Halloween. The more you can get your |
| whether you have openings for the age(s) they | | | | business name out there, the better your |
| need. Announce current openings to | | | | chances of reaching parents interested in |
| parents who currently have childcare in your | | | | care.Use creativity when coming up with |
| care. Parents who are current | | | | inexpensive ways to advertise. However, make |
| customers are strong references for parents | | | | sure you consider safety. While a sign in your |
| who are looking for care.Parents who are current | | | | front yard may be an effective and |
| customers can help you find new families. Start a | | | | inexpensive way to advertise that you provide |
| referral | | | | childcare, it also alerts every passerby |
| program, where current families can get a | | | | that there may be several children in the home, |
| discounted rate or bonus if they refer a | | | | a potential safety risk. When |
| new family to you. For each referral that signs a | | | | creating brochures or a website, don't use your |
| contract, the referring family could | | | | exact address. Rather use a close |
| get a free day of childcare, or care for a | | | | intersection - on the corner of Park and Solomon |
| parents' night out.If you don't already have one, | | | | - or a close landmark - behind |
| consider creating a website. More and more | | | | Southgate Mall. Parents can still get an idea of |
| people | | | | where you are located, but you can |
| are using the internet to find childcare, and a | | | | save your actual address to give out in person |
| website is a great way to give parents | | | | or over the phone.With a little creativity, some |
| more information about the care you provide. | | | | hard work, and networking, you can build a strong |
| Several companies offer free or low- | | | | |
| cost web space, although the websites allowed | | | | childcare program and help keep your openings |
| by these companies will be fairly | | | | full. Keep your marketing efforts |
| basic. If you would like a little more polished and | | | | constant, so that you don't need to scramble |
| complex website, plan on | | | | when you have an opening, but little |
| spending several hundred dollars to get it | | | | enough that you have plenty of time to spend |
| started.Advertising online can also be an effective | | | | with your little ones.Melissa Newby has worked as |
| and inexpensive way to reach parents. | | | | a therapist and in marketing, but her most |
| Directory sites like Daycare | | | | rewarding job |
| Providers allow you to reach parents instantly | | | | has been to raise her son. Frustrations with |
| and | | | | available childcare resources led her to |
| nationwide. You can manage your own profile, | | | | co-found Daycare Providers with her husband. |