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  1. #21
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    What about a "special" offer with a qualifying amount before they get the offer or an open day event.

  2. #22
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    Quote Originally Posted by crumpet54 View Post
    Yep I've only got 2 spaces as I have my own daughter so I said to my development officer so I'll be earning 4.58 an hour she said yes that's right- would you like me to come and sign you up......

    Eerrr no thanks lol
    No wonder she was quick to sign you up! Do you know if many childminders offer it?

    But despite the ridiculously low amount, it may be something to consider. Earning £4.58 an hour for 2 children is rubbish, but it's better than nothing and might lead to more work, or at least get your foot in the door.

    You could limit the hours you offer to say 3 per day and charge for lunch so you're not losing a huge amount over a day. It might make parents look again if they realise they could get 3 hours out of their day free with you.

  3. #23
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    But remember you wouldn't actually be earning £4.58 , you would have expenses to come off of that - especially when you're just starting out and are less likely to have stockpiled all the usual necessities You'd be lucky to ''earn'' £2 per child per hour.

  4. #24
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    Quote Originally Posted by mama2three View Post
    But remember you wouldn't actually be earning £4.58 , you would have expenses to come off of that - especially when you're just starting out and are less likely to have stockpiled all the usual necessities You'd be lucky to ''earn'' £2 per child per hour.
    Exactly, i couldn't do it on principle, i think it's really demoralising. I've put some much into this business, my playroom and garden are really good, (sorry to sound like I'm blowing my own trumpet but I'm really proud of it, and have brilliant feedback)

    Maybe it's just the time of year, i really don't know.
    But considering its school holidays next week, I've not had any enquiries for it.

    I said to my partner this morning I thought by now I'd be earning a decent wage by now!

  5. #25
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    Quote Originally Posted by mama2three View Post
    But remember you wouldn't actually be earning £4.58 , you would have expenses to come off of that - especially when you're just starting out and are less likely to have stockpiled all the usual necessities You'd be lucky to ''earn'' £2 per child per hour.
    But if that was only for 3 hours a day and an additional charge was made for lunch, it would be a limited amount that was lost. And if there's no other work coming in it could be better than nothing. If you got a child in for 8 hours, 3 hours funded at £2.29, 5 hours at £4, food at £3, that would give a total of almost £30 a day. If you charged £4 an hour for 8 hours it's only £32, so you're not actually losing much. Plus it would only be term time, so you'd get the full amount in the holidays. And it's only short term as the children will be off to school so you're not committed to it forever.

    If it was the difference between attracting work or being in the position of not having any work all, I'd have thought it was worth losing just £2 a day.

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  7. #26
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    Quote Originally Posted by Mouse View Post

    No wonder she was quick to sign you up! Do you know if many childminders offer it?

    But despite the ridiculously low amount, it may be something to consider. Earning £4.58 an hour for 2 children is rubbish, but it's better than nothing and might lead to more work, or at least get your foot in the door.

    You could limit the hours you offer to say 3 per day and charge for lunch so you're not losing a huge amount over a day. It might make parents look again if they realise they could get 3 hours out of their day free with you.
    No i don't know any personally that offer it, but there must be some that do.

  8. #27
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    Quote Originally Posted by Mouse View Post

    But if that was only for 3 hours a day and an additional charge was made for lunch, it would be a limited amount that was lost. And if there's no other work coming in it could be better than nothing. If you got a child in for 8 hours, 3 hours funded at £2.29, 5 hours at £4, food at £3, that would give a total of almost £30 a day. If you charged £4 an hour for 8 hours it's only £32, so you're not actually losing much. Plus it would only be term time, so you'd get the full amount in the holidays. And it's only short term as the children will be off to school so you're not committed to it forever.

    If it was the difference between attracting work or being in the position of not having any work all, I'd have thought it was worth losing just £2 a day.
    Yes I see what you mean, it's something to consider, i don't provide lunch , and don't intend to, but I get what you are saying. Tbh I've not had one enquiry in 6 months in regards to the funding anyway. It was just another thought after chatting with the D.O.

    I'm doing a baby sale boot fair type thing on Saturday so I'm going to wear my t-shirt, hand out flyers/business cards get chatting to potential families. Fingers crossed for me!

  9. #28
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    Why not hand out a simple question air, to get e mail addresses, perhaps incentive win egg?? if the fill then in.

  10. #29
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    Quote Originally Posted by watford wizz View Post
    Why not hand out a simple question air, to get e mail addresses, perhaps incentive win egg?? if the fill then in.
    Yes good idea,

    Hey I've just been notified by childcare.co.uk that I cant message any more parents for 24 hours lol that shows how many I'm messaging (but still getting no replies! )

  11. #30
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    Ok...I have just read through this thread and I think you need to be looking for your unique selling point.

    If nobody has enqired then you have to look at what you are saying ..because, It may sound harsh, but your profile on childcare.co.uk is not interesting parents!

    My advise would be : look at your local competition I.e childminders and nurseries and market yourself....and think about what you could offer that would interest parents over them.

    E.g. Flexibility
    Forest school type activities
    Specialism in something ...SEN for instance
    Background, the unique impact that would have on children
    Position, near nature reserve or fields for instance.
    Willingness to venture furthur if nature isn't on your door step.
    Pick up and drop offs to local school
    Value for money, including trips/ food/ wipes/ puddle suits etc...
    Availability of home....lots of parents want a home situation, not a confined to playroom situation..this they can get at a nursery.
    Music
    Your background and how that will impact on their child..I.e any childcare background is going to influence parents.

    Costs, holiday etc..

    It sounds that you now need to do an analysis of why you are not getting enquiries...l
    Our local authority has just produced an analysis of how much, quality and league data a local school is and others...perhaps you could look at yours which shows gaps in types of childcare...and alter your offer to suit..

  12. #31
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    Quote Originally Posted by FloraDora View Post
    Ok...I have just read through this thread and I think you need to be looking for your unique selling point.

    If nobody has enqired then you have to look at what you are saying ..because, It may sound harsh, but your profile on childcare.co.uk is not interesting parents!

    My advise would be : look at your local competition I.e childminders and nurseries and market yourself....and think about what you could offer that would interest parents over them.

    E.g. Flexibility
    Forest school type activities
    Specialism in something ...SEN for instance
    Background, the unique impact that would have on children
    Position, near nature reserve or fields for instance.
    Willingness to venture furthur if nature isn't on your door step.
    Pick up and drop offs to local school
    Value for money, including trips/ food/ wipes/ puddle suits etc...
    Availability of home....lots of parents want a home situation, not a confined to playroom situation..this they can get at a nursery.
    Music
    Your background and how that will impact on their child..I.e any childcare background is going to influence parents.

    Costs, holiday etc..

    It sounds that you now need to do an analysis of why you are not getting enquiries...l
    Our local authority has just produced an analysis of how much, quality and league data a local school is and others...perhaps you could look at yours which shows gaps in types of childcare...and alter your offer to suit..
    Thank you flora dora, i think you are right, I'm going to sit down tonight once dd is in bed and look at what I can adapt, im going to take new photos of my playroom both tidy and cleared away and set up with activities, i really think that my room is my unique selling point, but I will also add that we use other areas of the house accordingly for quiet time, cooking, baking with the children etc and my experience and outings I offer,
    Yesterday we spent a lot of time at a fantastic farm, which was wonderful so many learning opportunities.
    im going to then ask my cm friends and mummy friends for honest feedback.

    Thank you for your ideas and suggestions xxxx

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  14. #32
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    Update i have a viewing booked for 2mo! Mon -fri 8-5 18 month old
    Yay

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  16. #33
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    Perfect :-) hope it goes well for you x

  17. #34
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    Quote Originally Posted by natlou82 View Post
    Perfect :-) hope it goes well for you x
    Me 2, mum sounded on the ball, asked good questions , great feedback from my fb page, said she loved my space and the photos of the activities and experiences that I offer!
    Fingers crossed for me xxx

  18. #35
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    Hope it all goes well for you tomorrow. I have my fingers crossed for you xx

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    Quote Originally Posted by singingcactus View Post
    Hope it all goes well for you tomorrow. I have my fingers crossed for you xx
    Thanks, I've had 4 enquiries this afternoon /evening! Crazy how it changes isn't it

  20. #37
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    Meet all the enquiries, even if days or hours are not ideal they so often change or may be able to be flexible to fit in with you.
    Always the way you go weeks without hearing anything then suddenly everyone needs a childminder!
    Fingers crossed for you

  21. #38
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    Quote Originally Posted by alex__17 View Post
    Meet all the enquiries, even if days or hours are not ideal they so often change or may be able to be flexible to fit in with you.
    Always the way you go weeks without hearing anything then suddenly everyone needs a childminder!
    Fingers crossed for you
    Thanks, yes I definitely will, one is coming today for a viewing, and another is getting back to me today, the others are for July and Sept.

    It is strange how it goes, i had started thinking about looking for jobs

  22. #39
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    Good luck with your visit today!

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    Quote Originally Posted by Mouse View Post
    Good luck with your visit today!
    Thanks mouse!

 

 
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