What do parents look for in a childcare provider?
I provide childcare out of my home and have not found any real interested families yet. What do parents look for in a childcare provider? I am CPR certified, First Aid Trained and have 2 years of Early Childhood Education, so why cant I get clients?
Public Comments
- A lot of times they are looking for unreasonably low prices, extended hours, references/referrals.
Its so hard to trust someone who is new.... which raised the age old question "how do I get clients when no one is willing to take a chance?" The answer is to keep perservering. Eventually you will find someone.
I would also list your service with the local Child Care Coordinating Counsel... and you did not say if you were liscenced but that is a big deal too.
Good luck.
- To even consider a childcare provider.. they have to be fairly close to home. Location is key. They also have to have a consistent staff as well. Preferably one that has plenty of training. Pay must be reasonable. Activities must be planned for each day.. even for babies, like reading time and dance time and such. Clean, open environment. Most of all.. It should feel safe and secure.. and I should feel comfortable walking in. Providers must be confident and alert as well. =)
- -that the childcare provider has experience with children and preferably has children of their own.
-that my child gets along with this provider
-that the provider is loving and welcoming and kind to my child
-that the provider isn't too easy, meaning she diciplines my child when he/she is naughty.
-that the provider isn't abusive/mean.
-that my child will have fun things to do while there and they won't be bored all day.
-other children at the daycare.
- those are all things i would look for as well, so that's a good start.
working up clientel can take some time, but here are a few other things i'd ask:
-do you have your certification from the state in which you live, allowing you to watch children legally?
-is your house neat, organized, and free from noticeable hazards (ie. coffee table corners not covered, coat rack not secured to wall, nail clippers and coffee cups with in reach, etc.)?
-the location (neighborhood) may also play a part. no one will jump to the opportunity of your services if it's a rundown part of town.
-do you have children of your own? (this doesn't always factor in, but some women feel more comfortable dropping their children off with someone who is a mother themselves).
-check around your area as well.. are you charging more than average?
-also, mothers want someone who can not only watch their children, but also provide some learning while they're in your care. depending on the age of the child you're watching, this can range from the proper toys to coloring books and flash cards.
-many also feel more comfortable if you give them a set schedule of events, and it's important to give them the right snacks and meals also.
good luck w/ everything.. i hope i was able to help!
- Honestly, as a parent, what would concern me is the location of your service. I would not feel that my child would be safe in the home of a stranger, with no other people around. No offense intended, I'm sure you must be a very lovable and patient person to be interested in childcare, but parents need some sort of reassurance that their children will be safe with you. If you have difficulties finding a client, I would recommend having a sort of open house, if you could arrange it, where potential parents could scope out your place and the kind of person that you are. If this still doesn't work, you might want to think about lowering your price - after all, although this might not be the most satisfying thing to do, it would provide you with experience and potential referrals for when you want to begin increasing cost of service.
Good luck!
- i think if i wanted a carer,the first thing i would take notice of is my child,how do they act when you approach them,as children are funny creatures and soon know who they like and if i saw my child was a bit stood off and didnt want to go near the prospective,i would wonder what vibes they were getting,and i would also see how the carr was with the child,and sometimes you can see a falseness in people,that they r doing there job as a job,not cos they r particularly in love with kids.
