Newly registered childminder

[triciapearce]

Hey there, new to the mumsnet scene!

I am a newly registered childminder and trying to advertise my vacancies and was wondering how other childminders filled their vacancies and how long it took.
I am hoping to childmind as a full time career and quite anxious that i wont get any children to look after.

I am based in Camberley

Many Thanks
Trish

Welcome to Mumsnet! Just put baby down and need to write diaries so can't stay too long but I put a thread together a while back which may help - will bump it up now! (called advertising tips!)

Best of luck :)

Looneytune (previously HellyBelly)

triciapearce - welcome to mumsnet and childminding. When i first started (3 yrs ago) I advertised locally by doing a leaflet drop and putting up a couple of posters at the library and local church hall.
I started off with one baby one day a week, which was a lovely way to break into the job. I have no children of my own and definitly like you wanted it to be my career.
The next person saw one of my posters and called me, they started a few months after i first became registered and then two more children came to me who had my number from the council list. Once i started becoming a familiar face int he school playground i found that business picked up dramatically, and i am now almost full with limited spaces available, all part time.
It is a very rewarding job, although it can be hard work, and people often think all we do is sit around and play all day but there is certainly much more to it than that.
Once you become more well known you'll find word of mouth is the best advert.

many thanks for your quick responses, you've given me lots of ideas. I have put an advert in the back of my car and should be on the CIS website. My other half helped me develop a website but unless i can get people to view it, i guess it not much good. :) i'm sure i'll get there soon.
Sometimes it's just nice to have a bit of reassurance from other childminders.

Will certainly be checking out other topics now i have discovered mumsnet.

I would certainly echo the "get out and about" as the best way to get yourself known. Do you have young children of your own?

And welcome the (mad) childminding world!

Hi

I have a 5 year old and a 7 month old, both girls. will begin to take Isabella (the youngest) to toddler group, will make sure to take some leaflets.

Will now spend the rest of this week really working hard on getting my name known.
And
My website is now finished
www.camberleychildminder.co.uk
:)

If you are interested in taking on schoolchildren (I assume your eldest is at school?), then let the school secretary know, maybe teachers you know, and casually drop it into conversation with anyone you chat with in the school playground!

Definitely take some of your leaflets to toddler group - you will have to be a your best behaviour because people will be "watching" you from now on!