There could be a variety of reasons why one provider has a thriving child care and another one struggles.

The need:

First does your area have a high or low need for family child cares? Or is your area overly populated with other child cares and centers. To much competition in the area can reduce your chances of finding new clients. Or you can live in a community that has little need for child care. Location is everything. I suggest to anyone wanting to open a child care business in their neighborhood to do some marketing research first and see if there is a need in that area? or see if the area is saturated with providers and centers. Also if you live in a small community with little population this can be a downfall too. Many things to consider.

Fees:

Are the fees higher then the average rates for the area? Although we wish parents would consider the quality of the program over the fee it is a proven fact that fee are the number one factor in a parents decision. If your fees are higher then everyone one else around you the parent will find quality care with a reasonable rate to go with it. Providers need to do a market analysis of their area and charge a comparable fee. Not be the cheapest but certainly not the highest either.

Experience:

Neighborhood:

Reputation?

Complaints can't be controlled but a letter of explanation in your file, or hopefully the complaint is considered inconclusive or unfounded. But an explanation to a prospective parent is your best solution.

Personality:

How do you come off to these parents? Remember your very first interview and first impression is on the phone. How do you answer the phone? Are you answering in a professional manner? Are you quick to get off the phone? Are you helpful to the parent and answer questions with a friendly tone. Remember they are going to ask questions and it's not out of disrespect to ask anything...so answer them to the best of your knowledge and stay courteous. One of the complaints I hear a lot is that the provider was rude over the phone, or they did not return their calls when they left a message...or the message machine played 3 minutes of silly stuff before they could even leave a message. Remember these parents are on schedules and they will just go on down their list of providers to call if they have to wait on long phone messages. Sometimes they won't even leave a message because they want to hear a human answer the phone. We know we can't always answer due to the kids, but when you can and kids aren't crying in the background "answer your phone"

Those phone calls are extremely important. This is your link to the outside world to get clients. All the advertising in the world won't help if you don't answer the phone, or return phone calls, or are less than professional over the phone.

HOW DOES YOUR INSIDE ENVIORNMENT LOOK?

It doesn't matter the size of your child care. It doesn't matter if you have all the expensive fancy new things vs. someone with just regular toys. doesn't matter if you buy it new or yard sale. How it is set up and how clean your home is are important things to take into consideration. Parents have chosen homes that were more homey looking over child cares that looked like mini-centers. But they choose it because it fit their needs, philosophy, and it was clean. Walking into a house that is cluttered, unorganized, and smelly will turn away clients. The same goes with the yard. Keep it tidy and free of hazards.

Curb appeal. The front of your house needs to look neat and tidy, clean. No trash around the yard, or hazards. You don't have to have a brand new house, any house is fine as long as you take care of it and keep the property looking tidy and clean. I hear from parents all the time about walking into a child care and they could smell the cat box, or urine from the children. The complain about dirty dishes and it's not the daily use but dishes that have been sitting for days. people can tell. flies and filth are a big turn off. Obviously!

The Yard:

if you have pets or dogs keep the yard clean. No one wants their child playing a yard mixed with dog feces. IT's not only filthy but a health hazard. You can have your dog and child care too but keeping the yard cleaned up and washed down is a must.

Dogs: and other pets. Some parents don't want their children around Dogs, or other pets. Either for health reasons or fears either way this could be a problem with getting clients. Have to take it all into consideration.

Smoking:

Other people in the home:

Transportation:

We need provider who do school transportation but because they do provide this service many parents with younger children will continue their search because they do not want their child in the car. You might have to take into consideration what age groups you really want to care for? If you have helpers and you can do transportation without dragging all the babies and preschoolers along then you have a better chance. But if you have to take them and you aren't getting the younger ones because it then consider going for total school age.

Evaluate yourself:

If you are struggling with your child care business evaluates yourself and your environment. Ask yourself questions that parent would ask? Look at your environment the way a parent would look at it. Ask other providers to come visit your child care for some feedback and suggestions. Sometimes a different set of eyes sees things differently. Just remember it is constructive criticism if you do this. There could be a number of other factors not even listed in this article...Hopefully this gave you some insight as to the Why...