Okay you have gotten everything ready but where are the children? The hardest part of doing childcare is building a clientele. A couple ways that you can do this is word of mouth. Tell everyone you know that you have opened up a childcare in your home. You would be surprised how many people know someone needing childcare and will gladly give you a reference. Other ideas include:
· Offer a free parents night out to the first three to enroll in your program.
· Give current clients a free night out if they gain you a new client.
· Take books with your business card taped inside to the doctor’s offices in your area and to local dentists.
· Hang flyers everywhere that you can.
· Create a brochure with the highlights of your program.
· Make sure you carry business cards everywhere you go.
· Go to a local trophy shop and get a nametag with your daycare name on it. Wear it everywhere that you go.
· Get a shirt made with your daycare name on it to wear in public.
· Take flyers to your school bus garage.
· Take flyers to your school principal. Go in person and introduce yourself.
· Leave cards in children’s consignment shops and flyers
· Have pencils and pens made with your name and phone number on it.
· Answer your phone with the name of your daycare. You will be surprised how well this works. I have gotten two clients this way and they have been awesome clients.
· Get your name out to churches and community clubs such as Kiwanis, Lions, and Ruritans.
· If you have children talk their club leaders or sports coaches.
· Call other daycares and see if they will send some clients to you if they are full.
· Go by your local dance schools. A lot of times instructors or parents need childcare.
· Put a sign in your yard if allowed.
· Get a magnetic sign for your vehicle.
Just building your childcare business isn’t enough to insure that you will stay full. You have to learn to market wherever you go to insure that you will keep clients coming and constant flow when you will have a turnover period