Any ideas on where else I can advertise

[jonesy73]

Hi. I've been registered now for nearly 3 months and still no children . I've registered with the local authority website, FIS, Yell.com. Netmums as well as the local post office, pre school and school. I'm starting to get really down with it all and also panicking that when I do get children, that I won't be prepared enough. My policies and procedures are all done but thats it! I've been on one of these cluster evenings where all cms share info and that made me panic even more . I think I need to chill out as even if I did have an interview, I may sound desperate. Any help/feedback would be great

Hiya Jonesy73
I was just like you!I was getting really down about it all and thinkng that I would never get anyone one then the phone rang!
Have you tried joining your local childminding group? It would be an idea to join and have a chat to some of the cm.

Dont give up hope.Im sure you will get some interest soon.
Dont worry about sounding desperate just be yourself!I too was worried about that but the parents gave me great feedback saying I was very enthusastic

Good luck
Emma

It can take a while to get started. Like Emma said, find out where your local cm drop ins are and go to them - once cms get to know you they will pass enquiries your way. You don't have to have any mindees to go to the drop-ins.

Go to local toddler groups also if you can - a friend of mine has picked up many children over the years from parents/carers getting to know her at these groups. I also found it hard to get started, but most of my children since the 'first' have come from recommendations.

Why not get some free business cards from vistaprint - then get loadsa free other stuff after that - and do a 'drop' on local houses, businesses etc. If there are new housing estates near you, leave cards with the site sales rep, who can then pass your details onto new families - I've done this for cms when I worked in new home sales previously.

Our local supermarkets have noticeboards that I've advertised on before. Also, advertise on your local 'NETMUMS' thread - have had several enquiries from that. If you get some business cards, always carry them with you - even at soft-plays etc parents may approach you if they know you are a cm.

Most importantly, be yourself - you are the one providing the service, not looking for an 'employer' .Once you get that initial enquiry, you'll be flying - good luck

Thank you soo much. I feel more positive now. I was planning on going to the local cm groups after the half term and handing out lots of flyers. I'll let you all know how I get on. Fingers crossed the calls will start coming in.

Welcome to Mumsnet Jonesy73, I notice this is your first post on the board, so a Big Welcome

You may want to add your details to Childminders with No Mindees - you never know a parents searching Mumsnet may come across your information that way.

Saying where you are located and how many childcare places (also what age range, so for example - space for 1 under 1, 2 under 3, 3 school age) may help. Mumsnet threads get indexed by Google very quickly, so by posting this information you may find that when parents search Google, they will find your information on this mumsnet thread.

If www.gumtree.com has listings in your area, you could add yourself there.
FIS/CIS may need reminding on a regular basis that you exisit, have vacancies. So contact them every couple of weeks with an update - if your FIS/CIS accepts updates via e-mail that may be the best method. If you change something in your details (such as adding another school from which you can collect) that may help FIS to update your record, which will also update ChildcareLink (make sure you have opted-in to be listed there).

We have an Advertising Tips thread, which may give you other suggestions for places to advertise. The list is a bit old now, some of the places on the list no longer exist but I hope it will give you some more things to try.

1. Friends, family and neighbours - give them all your business cards (even the ones that don't have children, ask them to pass your card out to their colleagues at work). Parents receiving your card from someone who knows you are more likely to contact you.

1. Have you got children of your own? If they at school, give them your cards to hand out to their friends (especially those with younger siblings). If they are little, take them to every toddler group, library story time etc and try to get a notice up or your business cards out at these places. When you get talking to other parents, ask them what they do for a living. So you can tell them about yours

1. Can you think of anything that sets you apart from other childminders? Do they insist on pack ups but you would prepare meals? Do they open at 8:00 but you would open at 7:30 am? Put it in your ads, eg collection/drop off service within x miles.

1. Think about who your customers are going to be - people who live and work nearby. Those that now need childcare because their maternity leave is ending/starting a new job/just moved to the area or children changed schools. Think how you can target your adverts to these people.

Are there community noticeboards, local publications (our parish magazine does a one-liner for about £1) to target those who live nearby. If not, flyers through the door. Keep some in your car and if you spot a for sale or sold sign, stop and put one through the door.

Do you know any childminders locally? You can ask those who are full to give out your contact details and take their info to give out when you get an enquiry you can't take.

What jobs do people have locally? Any shops or larger businesses that might put your cards/ads in their staffroom?

Would you do shift work or unsocial hours? Are you registered for overnight care? You might want to send adverts which state that, to nearest hospital, fire and police stations. As these people work unusual hours it can be hard to get childcare.

Good luck! It can be hard to get started as people don't know you. If you have any relevant childcare experience, put it in your adverts.

As you won't have any references from previous parents, have you got any open references from past employers or character references from non-relatives that you could show parents when they visit?

If you have children at school, get talking to parents in the playground - make sure they all know you're now registered. The local grapevine is the best advert, and the cheapest! Other ways to get better known in the community could be to join a committee (toddler group/preschool etc) or volunteer occasionally at preschool/school.

2 good places to advertise that have worked for me are a notice on your car window and i bought a hoodi from pre mark and had my name ,childminder email and phone number printed on it cost me about 16 pound but it works and also when u do get mindees they can spot u a mile away

have you tried the child care link website on the net, I got 3 enquiries from there, good luck and you will get off the ground soon, honest.

Have you tried Childcare.co.uk

You have to pay to reply to a message or send your own message on childcare.co.uk now

You can reply to messages for free on childcare.co.uk - You only have to pay to start a conversation with someone.

you can now leave your phone numbers and emails on childcare link for parents to see

have u tryed the hub ,orputting a poster on your car window,or get a hoody printed with your number and email on it and wear it vabout town i have and now 6 other cms doin it we r all full .

Where are you based, Jonesy?