cmers help

[mummyquilliam]

Hi i registered as a cm in nov last year i am on fis list on directgov childcare.co.uk put cards up in playgroups i attend posts on here and netmums and have cm friends of mine that pass my number on but still don't have any mindees help how do i get work i was a nursery nurse before my own children so have 7yrs experience so its not like i dont know what im doing it's starting to get me down thinking maybe i am no good

okay, first of all the directgov site is PANTS

Think about where else you can advertise:

doctor's surgery/HV office
library
schools
preschool and groups that you don't attend

put a poster up in the back window of your car

make sure that your posters/cards show that you are Ofsted-registered (but don't put your Ofsted reg number on them)

think about what is your USP - unique selling point - eg do you offer early starts/late finishes, do you offer overnight care, do you have a FABULOUS garden, can you accomodate shift workers, that kind of thing, and work your USP into your posters

Do you have a Childcare Development Officer, they might be able to help you too

A lot of folks are quieter at the mo, what with the recession

Do you get together with local CMs, go to the Toy Library, get your face around the area, so that fellow Cms get to know you

All my work has come from word of mouth

Good luck

thank you think i may give the car idea a go i go to playgroups and speak to fellow cmers who pass my details on thats how i have had a few enquries have said i do long hours usp lots of messy play as well as using big parks and kew gardens pick up and drop off at school

Are you getting enquiries but not getting the business?

If so do some thorough research on the competition find out what they are offering and figure out what you do better.

If not do what BALD said, also do you have any marketing materials? try vista print they do free business cards that you can download and loads of really professional looking flyers, car door magnets etc. Get a T Shirt printed up - you can do it yourself with printer transfer paper costs about £3 and will do a couple of shirts - put childminder and phone number on in huge letters and lurk around child friendly places, borrow a couple of friends children and go for it.