What attracts you to a home daycare?
![[Post New]](/jforum/templates/default/images/icon_minipost_new.gif){kind=icon}
cwaldroup
Member Offline
Member Offline
|
I have a home daycare and I am trying to fill two spots, but having a hard time because of the time of year. What would grab your attention? I'm trying to figure out what I'm not doing. I love what I do and it's better when we're full!
My website is carynwaldroup.wix.com/carynwaldroup |
Anonymous
| Maybe post on local list serves. That seems to be the main way moms I know give and receive information about openings. |
Anonymous
| No, I was looking to what attracts people...like organic menus or something... |
Anonymous
| The website is great. Unfortunately in this area location is such a huge factor. But yes - organic menus, routine, activities, loving environment that is clean and safe are all very important. |
Anonymous
|
Your website looks nice but it almost has too much info that takes time to sort through. I would bullet point a lot of it and put the most important stuff on the front page. It would also be nice to have a picture of you and what the daycare looks like.
I would take your photography business off of there. I also saw a spelling error or two. And if you are a peanut free facility, take Peanut butter completely off the snack list or say almond butter instead. Sorry, I know this isn't supposed to be a critique of the website, but it can't hurt! I would also reach out to local Mom's groups. Since you do photography, that is also another way to advertise - offer some free sessions to your local neighborhood list serve in order to get your name out there. |
Anonymous
| Your main issue is the 5PM pick-up. I don't know any daycares that close at 5 - everyone I know is still at work at 5. Try a 6PM close time and you'll have those slots filled in no time. |
Anonymous
|
Be sure to say, "We hardly ever leave our kids outside in the rain, and if we do, we'll admit we were 'a little bit wrong'."
http://www.wjla.com/articles/2014/04/parveen-ahmed-arlington-day-care-worker-apologizes-for-leaving-child-alone-outside-102624.html#ixzz30M1y6ton |
Anonymous
|
I agree about the 5 PM pick up. We used a daycare in Arlington that was 7:30 to 5:30, and that worked better for us, and even then we were cutting it close on our schedules.
|
Anonymous
Do you really require pick-up at 5? This is crazy. At least extend this out to 5:30! |
Anonymous
| No TV. Staff levels that keep ratios lower than state requirements. Great references. Above and beyond certifications and education. |
Anonymous
| Sounds like the consensus is, at a minimum, a 5:30 pick-up time. Can you revise your hours? 5PM is very early since most parents work until 5. |
Anonymous
|
A few things...
*you serve juice with every snack *you offer brownies as a snack choice *you close at 5pm *it doesn't appear (at least it's not noted on your page) that you have a bachelors or associates degree *there are zero photos of your actual daycare on the website *there are tons of useless info on your website. I don't need to know milestones of children by age, recommendation by usda on when and what to feed my child. When I go to your website, I want to know about YOU and your home daycare. |
Anonymous
|
1. Change your pickup time to 6pm.
2. Get rid of your photography business stuff--for me as a parent that makes me think "this woman is going to be taking pics of my kids all the time without my permission and she has a business she's running when she should be watching my kid" 3. Have one menu tab that says "field trips" and put all those pics of outings on there--each field trip should not have equal weight with separate tabs like "tuition" and "schedule" and "about me" 4. Have a picture of yourself and your home/facility/backyard. It's a red flag for me to see allll these pictures of children and zero of you (or at least i didn't see any). |
Anonymous
|
Word of mouth. Seriously. When I was looking for an in-home daycare, the first thing I did was ask for recommendations from other parents in my community. We ended up going with the provider that was recommended to us by a social worker!
I personally couldn't care less about organic food. I certainly wouldn't want to pay for it. Also, for closings, to you follow the school system or Federal Government? That made a big difference for us, too - as two government employees, having a provider who was open when our work was open was a huge bonus. Other "nice to haves" include having a curriculum you use with the children, being fluent in another language so you can teach the kids songs/words in that language, having access to a great play area for the kids. |
Anonymous
|
WOW - so many helpful people today! Funny. Pick-up time does actually go later when needed (at no additional charge), I didn't think that was a RED FLAG, but now I know. Sometimes its been as late as 7:30!
The Photography biz is actually more for THEM (the families I work for) and not a biz anymore...sadly...I do still make the jewelry in all that free time I have! 
Yes - pictures of the place need to be done. Good idea - getting pictures of ME on there - Oh, my...I guess I'd have to hire a photographer!
Thank you so much. (I actually have three interviews this weekend)!!! |