Childminders- Where to advertise?

[PatButchersEarring]

Hi,

I've recently registered as a childminder in Cambridge, looking at concentrating on after-school care with some holiday care too.

So far I have put flyers at the school that I will be collecting from, flyers at the local doctor's surgery, Children's Centre, nursery and community centre.

With regards to websites, I have advertised on here , Netmums, Childcare.co.uk, ichild, Gumtree and the local families information service. I have also made a business profile of facebook.

I have only been advertising for less than a week, but so far have been very light on enquiries [impatient!]. Is there anywhere else that anyone can advise me to advertise?

TIA

It can take some time for your setting to become 'known' in the area. You are doing the right things, posters/flyers already up in the places I would suggest

In the meantime, we can have a look at your wording on your flyers if you like, help you to work out what your USP is, tease out what will make you and your setting the go-to one in your area

Once you're up and running you'll find that heaps of enquiries come from word-of-mouth, it's this initial starting-up phase that's a bit slow-going IYSWIM

I think you should approach parents on childcare.co.uk

When i advertised as a nanny i would get parents looking at my profile, even adding as a favourite but they never actually called or sent an email.

I approached them and they were happy to talk and meet me for a chat.

I did a very successful leaflet drop in our estate and signed up done siblings about 6 months later as she remembered my leaflet and had other enquiries after.

I think most people are sorted for after school etc. you may be more successful in the run up to September when people start looking for new term

Have sent you DM

Twitter?

Childminders can advertise on nannyjob for free and contact parents so costs nothing to put an ad up on there and approach a few. They may have advertised for a nanny but if you can accommodate then as a CM it's worth a shot.

I agree - most people with school aged children will be sorted for now. You might get the odd younger child with parents returning to work.
You sound like you've got the man areas covered - does your council have a family information service? Ours has a database of childcare providers which I used when we needed childcare. That would be another good place to get listed on.
Good luck!

Thanks so much for your replies. Brilliant idea about the leaflet drop!

Boys- I will post the wording of the advert a bit later- thanks.