Anne's childminding

[Tolley2206]

Need advice have been registered for a while,been to all the courses needed even just gone through to be a specialist childminder which I scored quite high in which I was pleased about.I do all that is expected of me plus lots more outings out,leap,listening and communication ,number and colour recognition.My house is clean and tidy I have varied toys and activities.I have advertised everywhere but am still not getting new children why is this.
Desperate childminder.

[christine e]

What is work like for other childminders in your area? I know that just before the summer holidays I along with a few of my childminder friends were all struggling for work but a few months later we were all as busy as we wanted to be. Where are you advertising? Are there any new housing developments in your area where you could leave business cards/flyers for the sales reps to put in welcome packs, if you are a member of NCMA are you using the ****** vacancy facility (I have had a few enquiries via this). Let us know how you are advertising and I feel sure that we will come up with some suggestions

[pinkbutterfly]

Are you getting people round to see you and they never come back or no calls whatsoever?

[Rick]

As a male childminder I expected to get less calls and responses from mail I sent, than a female childminder but so far I only look after my wife's friend's children. That is great and I feel very lucky but I've had zero calls and noone seriously asking about my services from anywhere else in 4 months. My main bug-bear is parents not responding to messages I send. A female childminder who messages the same people always gets a message back, even if it's a no. I can understand people being wary of a male childminder but to ignore me isn't fair!

I think it depends on time of year and location. I and my childminder friends live in a slightly less well off area and are struggling, others from childminding group say they are nearly full. Also just before Christmas there was very little activity on childcare.co.uk whereas it has become a lot more busy since Christmas (not that I have got anything form it yet).

I hope you start working soon!

[nikki thomson]

Hi, do you have young children yourself? If you do get yourself out to groups, I know they can be clicky but honestly I get 99% of my work past and present from recommendations, once you make a few friends with parents they will then recommend you if anyone they know needs childcare, most parents would rather there children go to a cm someone knows than a complete stranger.
If you don't have children yourself you can still get your face known at local children's centres, even if its just some voluntary work once families know you and know your a cm they will think of you when childcare needs arise, I know it's disheartening but at the end of the day you can have all the kit, all the certificates in the world but people have to trust you and get to know you otherwise it just doesn't work, it is quiet at the moment but you'll probably find families are like buses they all come along at once, hope it all works out for you. X

[Rick]

Hi, do you have young children yourself? If you do get yourself out to groups, I know they can be clicky but honestly I get 99% of my work past and present from recommendations, once you make a few friends with parents they will then recommend you if anyone they know needs childcare, most parents would rather there children go to a cm someone knows than a complete stranger.
If you don't have children yourself you can still get your face known at local children's centres, even if its just some voluntary work once families know you and know your a cm they will think of you when childcare needs arise, I know it's disheartening but at the end of the day you can have all the kit, all the certificates in the world but people have to trust you and get to know you otherwise it just doesn't work, it is quiet at the moment but you'll probably find families are like buses they all come along at once, hope it all works out for you. X

I do all of the above but in fairness I think it is quiet at the moment. I have had a lot of parents say they would use me if they needed childcare but it seems to fizzle out. I'm of the opinion now that I should enjoy the few days I am working and hopefully something else will come up if I keep doing the right things.....getting myself known, being the most important.