This is one of the downside of Childminding. It can take a good while to build up to filling the spaces you want to fill. This is certainly not a get rich quick job.
Even us experienced minders have lean times, I had 3 full timers each 9hrs a day I had had for 5yrs, all left between Christmas and Feb this year. It devistated my income lossing 135 paid hours a week
I was left with one 4 days a week and two before and after school 2 days a week. Since then I have got one 5 days a week who within a week reduced to 4 days
and has now given notice because she has now got the place in the Day Nursery she wanted and they are leaving! I have filled the places agin now and hopefully from September will have 3 under fives everyday, 4 one day and two new before and after school for more days then the two I had.
You can see though, what a roller coaster it can be.
I have found that since I have done a brochure about my business, it is extremly rare for a parent who has received a brochure, to cancel or not turn up for an interview. I try to hand deliver one to any parents who phone for an appointment. Doing this means that I usually get to meet them briefly, breaks the ice and means they do not feel that they are coming to a total strangers house, and I see where they live so I can advise on travel if, for instance they don't drive,
It also gives them a brief insite into what I do, how I do it and gives full address, email and phone numbers and a little map of where I am. It makes me stand out from those cms that don't have a brochure
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