Has anyone done a 'meet the childminder' event?

[Sandym3g]

Hi there.

DH and I are now registered as childminders in Whitton near Twickenham. We have put up an advert on Childcare.co.uk and sent our profiles to the fis but we haven't had any enquires as yet.

Richmond Borough council hold these meet the childminder events. The next one is 2nd October. Not long.

Has anyone used one of these to promote their business? If so how do they work and how do we get the best out of them?

Not a childminder... so no. However it sounds a nice way for parents to be able to meet several childminders in their local area in one quick go.

Richmond Childminding Association seem to have the Meet-A-Childminder events... so perhaps get in touch with them and ask more about it, plus if you are in their area may be a group to join to network with other local childminders.

yes that is the one that we are going to do. But I didn't know how to prepare. We have been told it's something like speed dating lol

Maybe produce some thing for people to take away with them which contains the basic facts that parents will need, such as costs, typical hours, schools you collect from, about what makes you special.
Take a folder with all your training certificates, policies/procedures, example pictures from outings (go through your family snaps and pick out ones showing places you may visit with minded children), pictures of your home, your garden, anything really that helps give them a feel for what you facility is like. Example menu plans.

If it's an event to which children might attend... then how about doing what KatyMac did at an event and take along homemade playdough, cutters, boards/mats, so the children can be kept occupied. Also let them take some playdough home in a small bag (along with your business card).

The thread where Katymac talks about Playdoh as a Marketing device

Oh yes I did, didn't I

It was a big turning point for me

Katymack what happened on the back of that then?

Lots of children - not particularly from the ones I met at the event but it raised my profile locally and more people 'seemed' to "recommend me"

It's about corporate branding and profile; people need to know who you are

im going to the meet the minder it is a good way of meeting parents i would recommend going

I met my childminder at a M-T-C event in Croydon. It wasn't like speed-dating, was nice and informal. We just got chatting to a CM or two, they said hello to our baby, told us about their service and showed us photos of their mindees doing activities. Then they gave us their cards and we left much better informed. We called one a couple of months later and she has now been our CM for two years. I really recommend taking part. They are really helpful for meeting parents who wouldn't have a clue how to meet you otherwise!