STILL NO LUCK IN FINDING ANY MINDEE'S

[KiddieCare]

Is it just me thinking(hoping) that this time of year is hard to get mindee's, and it will all pick up in new year, or am i just having no luck?
Had an email from parent other day, was really interested in me, have replied back with all deatils she asked for, but have recieved no reply back, its all really getting to me, i just need to work.
Partner is doing course at mo so money is really tight.

I'm in the same boat, so at least it's not just me!! I really need to fill my vacancies, like yesterday, but got no calls coming through! At this rate I'll have to look to going back to an office job and I really don't want to do that! I'm having many a sleepless nights over it. It's ust the worst time of year for it to happen really.

Hi there. What have you done in the way of advertising?

kiddie - where are you?? I need someone in leicester!

hi, sorry fairylights i live in london

i have up to date cis, ive done flyers, also bout 500 business cards, have also emailed local cm with my details in case they have an inquirey they are not able to do.

Where are you putting the flyers? Sorry for all the questions, but rather than listing things you've already done, I might spot an area that you've missed!

must be mumsnet luck or something, but parent who didnt reply bk to my email, has just tx me asking when her and husband can come and see me, im so excited, but really nervous.
what can i do to make a REALLY good impression

Excellent! Don't slack off on the advertising though!

Just be yourself, have all your policies and brochures ready on the table to show her. If you have a minding room, make sure that all the age appropiate toys are out for them to see. Not too tidy in there though, it needs to look fun! Ummm.... I like to show parents the whole house, not just my minding areas. They like to see where their lo is spending every day.

Don't be nervous! Just chat. Let them something about yourelf too and just go with the flow.

Good luck. We'll be getting you a key cut for the Staff room before you know it!

How old is the mindee btw? You could have someting ready for him/her to do or look at, whilst you're chatting with the parents.

kiddiecare - where in London?

the baby is 5months, so maybe thingslike rattles? what do you think about having a baby bouncy chair out for when parents come with child?

ImBarryScott im in Islington

Good luck for meeting. I highly recommend having a portfolio of policies and procedures to flick through and maybe even a copy to take home. I have a website and most have seen them on there so we only go through the really important bits like certificates, what the children do, meals, fees, sickness/hols policy etc and then all the others they either say they'll read thoroughly on my website or they take a copy home. Also, everything Mo said

Can I nitpick a bit (just to try and help)? I know on Tuesday's you say you do lots of baking and then lunch IS just eating the cakes/biscuits etc. I know this sounds fun etc. but I really think it could put parents off (or maybe they'll just provide their own food if you allow this?). Especially with a baby whose so young. I think most of us on here do eat the cakes etc. we bake but I doubt anyone else would have that as the main lunch. Hope you don't mind me saying but we all try and help on here and I am only trying to help you

Best of luck

hi looney, yh i have policy portfolio with all certs etc, and quite organized on the paper work side, jus abit nervous bout meeting them, freaking out actually lol.
wot sort of things should i ask them? and should i take about contract on first visit?
someone said to me before about the cakes thing, my bad, im sure i changed it to lunch and cakes tho, or do you think i should just take it off?

Oh fine then, if lunch and cakes it's no prob, I just remembered when I mentioned it before you said that one day you'd have that for lunch as they'd made it all lol.

Best thing is to try and be yourself, not seem too desperate, nice and casual (yeah right.....I remember my first meeting ). I always start by asking if they want a drink and if they do, give them the portfolio to flick through whilst I sort it. Then I go through each page of the start of my portfolio, whilst showing certificates, I go to the Ofsted Certificare on my wall and point out details and tell them all childminders MUST display this so to make sure they check when they visit others. Same for the public liability insurance. Then go through other details of portfolio, ask them if they want to go through each policy (they NEVER do with me ) and if they don't, I make sure I explain the fees, what happens when sick/holidays etc. then move on to references and Ofsted Report. I then show them round the downstairs then show them where the child would nap (if applicable). And then say that I'll leave it with them but would they like me to contact them if I get another enquiry so they don't miss out and say goodbye. All this whilst playing with my child/mindees and of course their child (and asking lots of questions about their child, the routine etc. so I feel I get to know the child a bit). Always ask them if they have any questions and if not, they are welcome to contact me any time if something pops into their head.

Sorry that was rushed, must go and make dinner now.

Good luck for meeting kiddiecare - I am just coming off maternity leave this months and have been cacking myself about the lack of work in our area at the moment. There are hardly any enquiries, and loads of us with vacancies, so its really a fight to get a look in ! I have had one come round who chose a friend of mine, then another who rang and made two appointments she did not turn up to, but I have a couple coming tommorrow who have been given my number by another minding pal, so hopefully..... fingers crossed ! So far I am just really excited and geared up rather than nervous, because I just want the job so much !!!
I will have my parents info pack for them to take away and read, with all my policies, quals, refs etc in, plus our minding photo album for them to look at, details of our next topic of the month, and I think thats it....but I bet I'll be awake all night trying to think of anything else !

Just change it to say that you bake on Tuesdays and afters are cakes on that day. Baby chair is a good idea to offer if you want to. Since baby is only 5 months, it might be asleep in its car seat, but its nice to have the option.

Don't forget to at least ask what the baby is called! Sounds mad, but one of my friends went to see a cm and she never even asked what her name was! Ask if she's (it a she?) a good sleeper, eater, etc. Just ask lots of questions about baby and what they like for her. You may find they're as nervous as you and they forget things!

Thanks you have all been very helpful.
Looney thanks for all, thats the sort of things i had in mind to say and do, i just hope thats what i say and do when it comes to it lol.
fingers crossed for me
oh i forgot i dont have a Ofsted report yet!!!!!!!! or any parents references.
the only child related reference i could give is from the deputy head of the school were i did my TA training. i really think this will put parents off

chankins, good luck to you also, i like the idea of doing a pack, but as i have not started yet the onlt things i could put in it are policies, menu;s etc, not anything like your topic of the month, (which i think is a fantastic idea), might pinch it later lol

hi - I have only just started this topic of month thing - nicked it off someone in my group ! Good idea though, I'm just gonna do a hand out at the start of each month saying what the topic is and what activities we will do to explore it. The info pack is mainly boring stuff like policies, charges, etc. Parents in the past have never looked at it, but hopefully it will be appreciated one day ! So is this your very first visit from a prospective parent ? How long have you been registered for ?

this is my second meeting, first one didnt come bk, thats why im so nervous about making an impression.
i have been advertising since end of oct.

I know how you feel - try to think as the first meeting as experience, rather than failure - it is in fact very useful to have lots come round to see you, as it gets you used to the experience and you get more relaxed each time. But I understand how you feel when you are desperate for work ! You just want to do whatever it takes to get them to pick you ! I always make a point to greet the child, squat down and say hello, ask some questions ect, then get straight onto making tea/coffee, as it gives you chance to get yourself together, and parents chance to look around, get a fee for things etc. I think parents do like it if you are obviously curious and enthusiastic about their child. Anyway, I'm off to bed now to fret about mine, so good luck !

kiddiecare - which end of islington? i have been looking for childcare near golden lane/ bunhill fields//.

kiddiecare - i took me months to get established - i think that really you get clients through word of mouth - which doesn't help get your first mindee BUT once people know your a minder and see you with kids @ group etc you'll start getting calls i'm sure - i would say tell everyone in your local area what you do and word will get about - GOODLUCK

I was supposed to have a baby start this week but the day her mum was signing the contract, she rang to say she'd been laid off so now I'm having to re-advertise. I had put another lady on hold until I knew for sure what was happening and then phoned her back only for her to say she had found another cm!

Am fed up with parents who either don't phone or don't come when they have made arrangements. Do they think we cms sit down drinking tea all day while mindees play? (I have no mindee today)We have families and if our children are at school, at this time of year is our busiest with Christmas concerts, parties and discos at school after school, I find myself rushing my lad to things because parents are late.