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Paid childcare

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

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Original poster

offering an incentive!

26 replies

mykidzrmyworld · 07/02/2007 18:21

was thinking of putting in my newletter that if any mums recommend my business to someone else and they sign up then I will give them a mths discount from £3.50an hr to £3 an hr - does this sound ok??

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nannynick · 07/02/2007 18:49

Sounds a bit too loose to me, think it would be better to fix the value amount - that way you know much it is costing you.

Do you need to offer an incentive at all... would your customers not recommend you to friends anyway? Something to think about.

Just my view of course... will be interesting to read others views.

Original poster

mykidzrmyworld · 07/02/2007 18:56

yeah I see what you are saying!
I have already been recommended so I know that isnt a problem-have signed 2 up through recommendation.....I was just thinking of ways to promote myself...I only have 4 school runs and just signed a baby today! was thinking if they had the money issue in the back of their minds it might be more of a chance to come out in conversation!

OP posts:

smeeinit · 07/02/2007 19:00

i think that sounds like great idea!
let me know if it helps attract buisness!

Original poster

mykidzrmyworld · 07/02/2007 19:04

thanks smeeinit
will let u know

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NannyL · 07/02/2007 19:04

sounds like a great idea to me...

or you could do X hours free care, so its the same for all regardless of how many hours per week their children atattend

Original poster

mykidzrmyworld · 07/02/2007 19:05

thats somethin to think about nannyl
I was thinking of doing only a week at £3per hr rather than a mth!

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Millarkie · 07/02/2007 19:09

But would other mums be so happy about the recommendation if they found out the the person doing the recommendation was being paid for it?
Mums that I know will happily recommend their childminders if they know that there is a vacancy and the best 'advert' is that they are happy to leave their children there. Maybe just letting your mums know about the vacancies will be enough?

smeeinit · 07/02/2007 19:14

being paid for it?! thats a bit harsh milarkie.
its no different to a nursery offering a 5% discount when you recomend someone ..............or anywhere for that matter offering a "introduce a friend" offer!!!

LoveMyGirls · 07/02/2007 19:21

I would offer them both a free afternoon after the first month of new mindee being with you.

I think offering a discount for a month is very drawn out and makes it more complicated then when they have to start paying full wack it will seem like a lot more iyswim.

Obviously this is your business and it's up to you this is only my opinion.

Millarkie · 07/02/2007 19:24

Never heard of a nursery giving a discount for recommendations. Just my point of view, no offence meant. Was trying to imply that your mums would recommend you without any financial inducements just because you are a great childminder.

BuffysMum · 07/02/2007 19:26

I always recommend my fab childminder and go actively promote her when I know she has a space coming up. I do this because she is fantastic and i know so many not so good ones out there.

gooseegg · 07/02/2007 19:28

How about offering a big bunch of flowers and a bottle of wine/box of chocs.

smeeinit · 07/02/2007 19:29

there are 3 nurserys local to me that offer discount for parents reccomending others,ranging from a 5% total discount on a years fees to 10% off a months fees.
dont think thats that unusual?!!! or maybe theres just more competition in the s.east

Original poster

mykidzrmyworld · 07/02/2007 19:31

all yr ideas and opinons are great.
give me things to think about!
I agree then a good childminder will get recommended naturally just as im new to this then even though they are happy they havent had me for long so cant over recommend (if that makes any sense)
All my mums pay me weekly and none of them are big bucks so I wont miss the money so much by 50p an hr just thought it'd be nice for them to thinking they get something out of it.

OP posts:

Katymac · 07/02/2007 19:33

Say they reccomend a friend - their friend stays 3 weeks then leaves.......leaveing you parent paying 50p an hour less for ever....

smeeinit · 07/02/2007 19:36

katy your so sensible!

Original poster

mykidzrmyworld · 07/02/2007 19:36

it wouldnt be forever
I was thinking of the discount lastin either a week or a month!
I could state once new mindee's have been with xx mths!

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nannynick · 07/02/2007 19:37

Has anyone tried doing incentive schemes to fill vacancies, and what worked, or didn't work?

"My only reservation in recommending him to everyone is that he will get so many bookings that he won't have as much time for us."

Had that on a recent testimonial from a mother... it helps show that recommending a childcarer to another parent could have a draw back for the parent doing the recommending.
In a childminder's case, the drawback could be a higher adult:child ratio, as currently with there being one or more vacancies, there is a lower adult:child ratio.

Original poster

mykidzrmyworld · 07/02/2007 19:43

thats possible too! parents might be concerned regarding that. Though I only have a p/t vacancy for under 5 and have a few spaces for school runs.Also f/t space for Sept when my ds goes to school.Im not over run just 1 or 2 extras would be nice!
My ds has a 4th b'day party soon so mayb i'll slip in a load of business cards in with the goodie bag treats

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Katymac · 07/02/2007 19:45

I wouldn't do that

How woud you feel if you got an electrician's card in a party bag??

Original poster

mykidzrmyworld · 07/02/2007 19:49

Ive heard that many times from C/M suggesting that for advertisement.
I wouldnt be offended if I receive a business card if my ds's party bag??

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Katymac · 07/02/2007 19:51

really? - I'd hate it Like getting advertising from school

Original poster

mykidzrmyworld · 07/02/2007 19:56

funny how we are all different!
Perhaps i might offend some mums then so I wont bother! would hate to offend anyone

OP posts:

Katymac · 07/02/2007 20:18

If enough other agree with you - then I'd ignor my advise

Original poster

mykidzrmyworld · 07/02/2007 20:29

lol

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