Trouble filling vacancy, any ideas much appreciated !:)

[tetti]

I am starting to despair a bit, as it seems to be almost impossible to fill my vacancy.
I am on the local council's website,on childcare.co.uk, I have large, professional business cards up in the local coffee shops and newsagents,but it just seems like I cannot get any feedback whatsoever.
I know that the local nurseries are full,and it seems as if though parents "trust" nurseries more,which is very unfortunate.
I am really worried as I am currently looking after one lovely boy,but if his parents will put him into nursery( like they did with his older brother when he reached two),I'd be unemployed !
As a single parent,it makes it all the more worrying :/

Have any of you got any tips on how to advertise ones vacancies more successfully ?
The other year I was virtually inundated with calls,but it has died down completely.

[adedwards68]

Sorry havent got any more ideas than what you have already done, but isn't it always the way that you have nothing for months then seem inundated with enquiries

[Essbops]

I found a few people advertise wanting childcare on Gumtree and netmums as well. I've started putting business cards on car windows at play centres and the like :-)

[phoenix2010]

loads of ideas

Advertise for free on gumtree, freeads, fridayads, ukclassifieds , yell.com

all are free but keep updating your ad to keep it fresh

also do a leaflet drop around your local area

create a facebook page , I get most of my business from mine , ensure your location and the word childminder is in the name of the page

go to soft play centres , mums cafes , toddler groups , parks, sure start centre , basically anywhere that little ones hang out

it can be really cringy and you do need a certain amount of balls lol but its a great way to get your name out there

put your leaflets up on notice boards , community centre , supermarkets , schools

make sure you appear on google maps and fill in your google maps profile

post on local "selling" facebook pages / community facebook pages

Be prepared to work unsociable hours for now, when I started and for about 18 months I did evenings /weekends/overnights , I said yes to practically everything , thankfully I can be a bit more choosy now and Im pretty much full

set up a website , I have one with WIX , it was free and very easy to do myself ,so pretty idiot proof

have a unique selling point , what can you offer that nurseries cant , outings to local farms and parks , woods and beaches etc , this is the downsides to some nurseries , lack of variety

make sure you have a good CV and send it out whenever you see a potential parent , really big yourself up

hope that has given you some ideas

[adedwards68]

Wow some good ideas

[Nicola Carlyle]

loads of ideas

Advertise for free on gumtree, freeads, fridayads, ukclassifieds , yell.com

all are free but keep updating your ad to keep it fresh

also do a leaflet drop around your local area

create a facebook page , I get most of my business from mine , ensure your location and the word childminder is in the name of the page

go to soft play centres , mums cafes , toddler groups , parks, sure start centre , basically anywhere that little ones hang out

it can be really cringy and you do need a certain amount of balls lol but its a great way to get your name out there

put your leaflets up on notice boards , community centre , supermarkets , schools

make sure you appear on google maps and fill in your google maps profile

post on local "selling" facebook pages / community facebook pages

Be prepared to work unsociable hours for now, when I started and for about 18 months I did evenings /weekends/overnights , I said yes to practically everything , thankfully I can be a bit more choosy now and Im pretty much full

set up a website , I have one with WIX , it was free and very easy to do myself ,so pretty idiot proof

have a unique selling point , what can you offer that nurseries cant , outings to local farms and parks , woods and beaches etc , this is the downsides to some nurseries , lack of variety

make sure you have a good CV and send it out whenever you see a potential parent , really big yourself up

hope that has given you some ideas

What she said lol!!!

[Tazmin68]

I have two magnetic advertise from vistaprint on my car. That has also worked

[skatie]

I have two magnetic advertise from vistaprint on my car. That has also worked

I just got one for free from vista print.

[Mrs Pootle]

I have always found that word of mouth is the best advertisement. You can't beat getting out there and getting your face/name known in your local community at school/playgroup/softplay etc. I volunteered at my local playgroup during the time I was doing my training to become a childminder, and by the time I was registered I already had a potential list of clients. Could you possibly volunteer at a local group?

As a parent I have to be honest, I would not have phoned a childminder just because I saw their advert in a shop window. I would want to know somebody who knew them/had used their service, but that is just me.
good luck, it is very disheartening when you are looking for business.

[SammySplodger]

As mentioned in previous thread, I have Vistaprint tote bags with my logo on hanging on my buggy - walking advert!

Go to every toddler group, soft play area etc possible - make sure it's really obvious that you are a CM - wear a logo sweatshirt/tshirt. I got mine from Spreadshirt. Ask if you can leave some leaflets out on the subs desk or serving hatch or put up on a board. Many groups have termly parties (Easter, Halloween etc) make sure you go to those as likely to be busier.

Village halls / church halls - normally you need to suss out when events are on to gain access to their pinboard. Well worth it, as I've had enquiries via a granny WI member who spotted my card and handed to her daughter.

Are there any big employers nearby? Can you get a posting on the intranet or cards put up in the staff room? I am lucky enough to live 3 mins walk from County Hall, so have a parent who works there, although she actually lives 45 mins away. Ask friends and family locally if they can help with this - you often need a contact 'on the inside'.

I find my local NCT group good for advertising too - I put leaflets in the bags at nearly news sales and advertise in their magazine. A good source of enquiries from 'bumps'!

Local schools - if you do a school run already - make sure it's obvious you are a CM and be bold and just talk to everyone!

My final bit of advice might just be peculiar to me, but I do find it works :-) ... feel free to ignore and giggle at my expense! :
I tend to wear bright coloured clothes & shoes and I have a very bright multicoloured buggy (bright red and lime with rainbow buggy snuggles!). I do this for a number of reasons - I like it, the kids like it AND I've noticed that it does make me stand out at school / toddler group. Which is no bad thing in terms of business. I know... all a bit 'Rod, Jane and Freddie', if you know what I mean (showing my age!).

Good luck

[Kevin1964]

Hi some great Ideas here but here one that not .If you computer literate

1) make a template with A simple Message or A4 paper IE

Hi My name is *******
I am A childminder
I have spaces
I have XXXXXXXXX Qualification

Please call Or contact me on

Or something simmer

You can then print it out and take it to a good printer and put it on A t shirt then when you go out and about you advertise yourself for free .
Here a few that I done in the past

http://i403.photobucket.com/albums/pp120/cartoonplayer/keviin/13062010152.jpg

Deans Place is A forum I am a member of

http://i403.photobucket.com/albums/pp120/cartoonplayer/keviin/DSCF1013-2.jpg

Another forum

It easy to change these to make it advrtise yourself for free You can all so put your Childminding on to A mug

[tetti]

Thank you so much for your replies everyone :)