The first thing you need to do in getting started is to define who you are. What makes you special from all the other caregivers out there? What is your philosophy? What do you believe in? Will your care reflect a certain religion or values? What hours are you open? What ages will you care for? Create your advertising around those things. Think about the possible negatives of your situation and turn them into positives. For example if you are located out of town, advertise the country setting - open spaces, animals, peaceful surroundings with plenty of places to play.

Now that you know who and what you are, you need to communicate that to the rest of the world. The need for childcare is strong but people need to know you exist before they can sign up with you. A logo or tagline (a short phrase that always appears under your name) tells people what makes you special and when it is always associated with your name it will help them to retain it. Remember to use is it in all forms of advertisements as well as papers you send home with the child. The more times a person sees it the more you will stick in their minds.

Place a sign in your yard, house or in the window to let people know you do childcare.

Place flyers in doors in your neighborhood

Design posters and put them in grocery stores and other neighborhood bulletin boards.

Newspaper and Radio Ads
They say a newspaper ad needs to run three times and a radio ad needs to run seven times before they stick in a person’s mind.

Advertise on a regular basis to establish a waiting list.

Use color, clip art and catching phrases or words such as Free!

Offer a day, an hour or several days free with a new enrollment after a month of care.

Sign up with the local childcare referral service in your area.

Host an open house night

Distribute flyers to your neighborhood. A clever idea is to have it as treasure hunt with your home the object of the hunt. Decorate a box to look like a treasure box and fill with gold wrapped treasures consisting of small trinkets. Pencils and other small items that have your name and phone number on them are a good idea. Each person who finds your home gets to pick a trinket out of the treasure box - and a piece of advertisement.