CM Club: What AM I going to do?

[Katymac]

Another child has left

Which menas since Christmas I have lost a total of 12 children

I feel lost and devestated

They all left for "valid" reasons (moving house, changing jobs, going to Nursery etc) apparently not to other childcare as such

But I still feel awful

I think I'm going to have to get a job - so that I can keep going

I'm so sad

Hi Katymac

Sorry to hear, I know what you're going through, I've got to fill 2 spaces in the next couple of weeks otherwise I will be also looking for a job.

I live near a garrison and lots of familys are moving in the next couple of weeks, but no new familys are due in till August!!

I'm desperately advertising at schools and play groups. What type of advertising have you been doing?

Hi I advertise in Post Offices, I have been wandering around summer fetes & Faires wearing a teeshirt advertising myself & giving out leaflets, I have a website

I need to do more

I am going to see if I can register for Overnight care and look for a weekend job at a supermarket

probably a silly question but have you put an add with your website on netmums. i get loads of work off of there

Saz what Garrison are you near, I live on one and the childminders here never have spaces, neither do the girls in town really, have you asked to put your advert in the Camp Hive? Most camps also have a mag that goes around.

I'm near the Arborfield Garrison. The community centre and the Hive have my details and do pass them on. But alot only tend to be here a short time so not sure if they acutally bother working or not.

Dont you have women soldiers all nearly all my mums are soldiers.its great they are all fulltime at least 7.30 - 4.30

In the 3 yrs I've been minding, never been approached by a female soldier.

There are only a few of us cm's around here and we are all advertising spaces.

Ask if you can put your ad in the camp magazine it goes through every door, and maybe atthe camp med centre I have one there

I've put an add on Netmums

I feel very disheartened atm

Katy have just read your message. Don't give up hope all mindees have been like buses nothing for months then signed 3 families in a week! I hope something comes up for you. Have you thought about advertising in Sprouts magazine? It is released in Norfolk and given out frr to most preschools so might be worth a go. Think its £40 an advert.
I find it really hard to believe that with your OFSTED grade being so excellent that people are leaving you to go to other cm unless you are a lot more expensive. Have you thought of running a cheaper introductory rate. I got desperate and offered first 6 months at lower rate just to get some families.(((((((((hugs))))))))))

Thanks - I am feeling a bit better today

Still upset but I will come out the other side

oh no Katy, i really feel for you, i know something will happen, it always seems too just when you think you have to quit, ive been in your psoition, and i knwo how hard it is, but at the minute here its the opposite!, i wish we all lived closer so we could share them all out!

Hi, Why are parents like buses, quiet for months been thinking about giving up and what do you know.....I've had 3 enquries in the last 3 days and just signed a full timer,she phoned me last night, just came around today and defo wants the space, got to drop contracts in to her in the next couple of days, and one other is potential as she wants to know if anyone is interested in the other space