If You Build It,Will They Come?

If You Build It, Will They Come?

If only it were that easy. Most established family childcare providers will tell you that it is not. Promoting and marketing your program is an important part of your new business. After months of waiting for a license, shopping for toys and childproofing your home, you are now ready to open your program to young children and their families. Just don't expect them to come banging on your door! Most providers report that it took them as long as six months for them to fill all of their childcare spots. I have collected a variety of marketing ideas for promoting your family or home childcare program.

Advertise on a Budget

Find out if your community will allow you to make a sign for your front lawn or window. You don't have to leave it up all the time, just when you have open spots.

"You can have magnetic signs made up for either side of your vehicle advertising your daycare. I had a pair made up for $90 "
~KATHY92395

Add your program to online directories

Ask your local Welcome Wagon or community group to include your brochure in their new neighbors packets

Promote your family daycare program at the local Baby fair or expo mart.

Consider direct mailings. "I contacted my local school district and asked for the boundaries for the elementary school that would provide bussing to the closest elementary school. Then I went to my local library and looked up a book called the "Haines Directory" this is a priceless book that has the name, addresses and phone numbers of all people in a community sorted by their street name. I picked out streets that I wanted to target and sent out a direct mailing to those streets. I mailed each address that listed as Mr. & Mrs. (odds were better that they had children) a letter telling them about my daycare...i.e. services I provide, my educational background, you can pretty much cover a lot of ground in a one page letter. I also added a coupon for free registration and one of my business cards. Then I asked that if they did not need my services please pass it on to someone they knew that might need it. My phone rang off the hook and I was full with a waiting list in 3 days. Running an ad cost me around $30.00 per week. The direct mailing to 100 homes cost me about $40.00. Another source I have used is a book that our PTA sends out every year listing the names and addresses of all the students and their parents in the local elementary school. They call it the "buzz book"... I also sent out a direct mailing using this (I know these people have kids...lol) and this time I attached my business card to one of those business card size magnets that you can buy at Office Max etc. and turned my business card into a refrigerator magnet. You know how very few can resist a refrigerator magnet...lol. Now I have advertising that sticks...lol. "
~nformed1

Be Heard

Contact the local Human Services or ChildCare Resource and Referral office and local or state daycare and early childhood associations. They often supply names of licensed childcare providers to parents looking for quality childcare.

Go where folks may need childcare. Contact local employment agencies and real estate offices.

Ask to make a brief presentation at the start of interest group meetings such as parenting support groups or Lamaz classes.

Join local childcare support groups. Network with other providers in your area.

Be Seen

Place notices on bulletin boards in self-service laundries, churches, shopping centers, and social clubs.

Leave brochures where you can. Brochures can provide more information and it is something a prospective parent can take home with them.

Prepare and hand out business cards.

Hand out flower seed packets.Attach your business card and a note that says, "I am in the business of growing children!"

"Go to the thrift shop, buy some children' s books, put your daycare sticker on each one, then donate the books to some pediatric offices. . Worked real good for me...."
~Jeanette

Be your own walking advertisment. Wear a colorful T-shirt or hat that promotes your program. Consider placing your logo on your bookbag or on the side of your daycare strollers.

Put a bumper sticker or magnetic sign on your car.

Hold an Open House.