| Setting up a quality childcare is only part of what's | | | | Providers allow you to reach parents instantly |
| needed to have a successfulprogram. You also | | | | andnationwide. You can manage your own profile, |
| need to let parents know about your business. | | | | update your openings, and tellparents in-depth |
| Since mosthome-based childcare providers do not | | | | information about the care you provide. Many |
| have a lot of money to spend onadvertising, a | | | | providers alsoreport having success by posting |
| little creativity can help you reach parents who | | | | ads on free classifieds websites. Placing an ad in |
| are looking for care. | | | | anewspaper is typically expensive, and providers |
| Networking is a strong tool. Make sure that | | | | have reported mixed results withthese ads |
| everybody you know knows that youprovide | | | | resulting in new families signing contracts. |
| childcare. That way, if they hear of a parent | | | | Target your advertising efforts where parents |
| looking for care, they can referthat parent to | | | | tend to gather. Ask toy stores orchildren's |
| you. Add your business name and current | | | | boutiques if you can display some brochures by |
| openings to your voicemailor answering machine | | | | the cashier. Ask yourlocal hospital if you can leave |
| message. Parents looking for childcare will know | | | | brochures for the parents taking birthing classes. |
| instantlywhether you have openings for the | | | | Putyour business card in trick-or-treat bags at |
| age(s) they need. Announce current openings | | | | Halloween. The more you can get yourbusiness |
| toparents who currently have childcare in your | | | | name out there, the better your chances of |
| care. Parents who are currentcustomers are | | | | reaching parents interested incare. |
| strong references for parents who are looking for | | | | Use creativity when coming up with inexpensive |
| care. | | | | ways to advertise. However, makesure you |
| Parents who are current customers can help you | | | | consider safety. While a sign in your front yard |
| find new families. Start a referralprogram, where | | | | may be an effective andinexpensive way to |
| current families can get a discounted rate or | | | | advertise that you provide childcare, it also alerts |
| bonus if they refer anew family to you. For each | | | | every passerbythat there may be several children |
| referral that signs a contract, the referring family | | | | in the home, a potential safety risk. Whencreating |
| couldget a free day of childcare, or care for a | | | | brochures or a website, don't use your exact |
| parents' night out. | | | | address. Rather use a closeintersection - on the |
| If you don't already have one, consider creating a | | | | corner of Park and Solomon - or a close landmark |
| website. More and more peopleare using the | | | | - behind |
| internet to find childcare, and a website is a great | | | | Southgate Mall. Parents can still get an idea of |
| way to give parentsmore information about the | | | | where you are located, but you cansave your |
| care you provide. Several companies offer free | | | | actual address to give out in person or over the |
| or low-cost web space, although the websites | | | | phone. |
| allowed by these companies will be fairlybasic. If | | | | With a little creativity, some hard work, and |
| you would like a little more polished and complex | | | | networking, you can build a strongchildcare |
| website, plan onspending several hundred dollars | | | | program and help keep your openings full. Keep |
| to get it started. | | | | your marketing effortsconstant, so that you don't |
| Advertising online can also be an effective and | | | | need to scramble when you have an opening, but |
| inexpensive way to reach parents. | | | | littleenough that you have plenty of time to spend |
| Directory sites like Daycare | | | | with your little ones. |