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Paid childcare

Discuss everything related to paid childcare here, including childminders, nannies, nurseries and au pairs.

Original poster

Is the current economic climate affecting childminders?

35 replies

KatyMac · 28/07/2008 20:58

For better or for worse?

Does it depend upon area?

I have less children than I have ever had.....even less tan my first year

So am I doing something wrong?
Or is it a result of the economic climate?

Any thoughts?

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Original poster
KatyMac · 28/07/2008 21:30

Fingers crossed it works

OP posts:
BoysAreLikeDogs · 28/07/2008 21:27

Katy it is

j u p o w e l l a t h o t m a i l d o t c o m

Relace the a t with @

Original poster
KatyMac · 28/07/2008 21:26

Fishie 2.50 a day is a lot - 25p an hour?

When did she last put them up?

OP posts:
Original poster
KatyMac · 28/07/2008 21:25

BALD - have you got my email or have I got yours?

I can send you my brochure & you can critic (should there be an accent in there or is it spelt differently)it

OP posts:
fishie · 28/07/2008 21:18

mine wants to put up her rates by £2.50 a day from september. so perhaps some are being affected differently than others

BoysAreLikeDogs · 28/07/2008 21:16

Now look again at your list and focus on the good bits -

THAT is where you pitch your advertising at.

So -

Unique set up
Food
Team

can you see where I am going with this?

Original poster
KatyMac · 28/07/2008 21:14

Not at all BALD

Strengths
Food - quality/variety
Team - less sickness/holidays more opportunities/working together

Weaknesses
Cost - relatively high
Opening - 7:30-6 (not negotiable - well I could open at 7 & have when asked)
Need to earn to keep paying wages

Opportunities - don't know maybe
over-night?

Threats
New children's centre
disgruntled parent (there was one last year)
Other C/Mers not liking our set-up
OFSTED

Not sure where I can go with this - but I'll add to it if I can

OP posts:
BoysAreLikeDogs · 28/07/2008 21:08

Not yet.

CMs are like hen's teeth around here, I am full. (SW ENgland, v rural area)

Katy, have a think about doing a SWOT analysis

(hark at me)

Think about

Strengths - could be your
experience/qualifications/setting

Weaknesses - unable to offer shift work/late finishes, that sort of thing

Opportunities - using your training notes/network CMs for sounding board/exploring a gap in the market

Threats - cheaper rates locally/nursery nearby/new after school club

How can you turn things around?

Advertising blitz/talk to PN group at HVs office?

I do hope you don't think I am being patronising.

Original poster
KatyMac · 28/07/2008 21:06

I thought either

  1. more people going out to work meaning more childcare needed; or
  2. more people going on to benefits so less childcare needed

I wasn't sure which would prevale - but currently the second is more visible

OP posts:
navyeyelasH · 28/07/2008 21:00

The child minder I work with is busier than ever (In Bristol) and has a waiting list until 2010!

But a good portion of hers are younger siblings if that makes sense? So I think it's a combination of good luck and the area not being that badly affected (yet?).

Sorry to hear you are struggling KatyMac, just stay positive I guess? x