Daycare Center Startup Question...

[sfp]

How far in advance of opening did you start to advertise?

How far in advance of opening did you start enrolling kids?

I'm scared we'll get 2 kids ... I'm also scared we'll get 30 and I won't have the staff ready/hired.

[cheerfuldom]

how much are you trying to get?

I only started with a couple of kids and have added more down the road. So it only take two weeks to advertise for those first spots. I would personally suggest starting as small as possible so you dont stretch yourself too thin at the beginning. better to add as you go than to overwhelm yourself from day one.

[sfp]

I'm hoping to start with at least 10...

[Abigail]

Are you looking to rent a furnished building and have you done childcare before? If you have to furnish it and have no experience in childcare or hiring people I wouldn't do it! I have a home daycare and advertised way before the house was finished and no one wanted to join because it wasn't finished yet. Then I signed 4 kids in one week and it was nearly complete and am still at 4, but could have been at 6 I let a family go.

[sfp]

This is a 60 capacity daycare center, I'm just unsure how early I want to start advertising before I open my doors. The unknowns are the scariest part of going out on my own.

Lots to be done...

[Abigail]

Have you had any daycare experience or what is your motive to open this new center?

[Blackcat31]

Originally Posted by Abigail

Have you had any daycare experience or what is your motive to open this new center?

OP explains her goals and her experiences in this thread.

http://daycare.com/forum/showthread....896#post223896

Also, if I remember right the the OP is also a licensed foster parent.

[Abigail]

So I'm confused. Does this person already have a center and want to expand?

[sfp]

I'm opening my own center. I'm confused why I'm being asked my motivation..?

What's your motivation for doing daycare? Would you like to explain your qualifications to me??

Definitely don't feel welcome here, won't be back.

[Blackcat31]

Originally Posted by sfp

I'm opening my own center. I'm confused why I'm being asked my motivation..?

What's your motivation for doing daycare? Would you like to explain your qualifications to me??

Definitely don't feel welcome here, won't be back.

I don't need to know your motivation as I already read your other thread

.....I just wanted to say that the forum is a wonderful place to gather info, ideas, suggestions and opinions...please don't feel you are not welcome.

I personally love to hear the hundreds of differing thoughts and ideas in the field of early childhood.

Your opinion and membership IS valued so don't feel that one statment or opinion represents us all.

[sfp]

I think I overreacted a bit by saying I wouldn't be back. I was just mad.

I felt like I was being attacked just for asking advice and I didn't understand how I gave the impression that my experience, motivation or value to the industry was questionable...

Thanks for messaging me, it meant a lot. I really love the community and rarely see anything but people supporting each other (maybe that's why it bothered me so much that I wasn't getting the same).

I'll definitely take advantage of the blocking feature next time I log on from a computer.

[Blackcat31]

Originally Posted by sfp

I think I overreacted a bit by saying I wouldn't be back. I was just mad.

I felt like I was being attacked just for asking advice and I didn't understand how I gave the impression that my experience, motivation or value to the industry was questionable...

Thanks for messaging me, it meant a lot. I really love the community and rarely see anything but people supporting each other (maybe that's why it bothered me so much that I wasn't getting the same).

I'll definitely take advantage of the blocking feature next time I log on from a computer.

Oh I am so happy to see you are back!

I can totally understand why you felt the way you did. I tried to help by posting your previous thread that explained your experience and motivation but I know older threads aren't always referenced....but either way, I am happy you are back!

Keep posting and myself and others will defintely try to help with ideas, thoughts, opinions and suggestions!

I will be following your threads closely as I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to go from family child care to being center care and am super interested in how this will pan out for you.

I think it can be done and is a great career move too!

[Sugar Magnolia]

I opened a center, a much smaller one, and I was not allowed to advertise until my license was approved, my state requires a license # on all advertisements. Once approved, I had signs out right away, and was slow to start. I did not do print advertising, but I have a highly visible location and just used "now open and enrolling banners". Word spread fast, I had ten in about a month. My capacity is 15. As for staff, hire as you go. How is the job market there? To hire, screen and train is about a 3 week process for me.
Please stick around, nice to have other "center people" here, mostly in-home providers. for what its worth, I don't think the previous poster meant anything sinister by asking about experience, just curious I think. We try to get to know each other a little, just basics like your experience, your goals, your issues. Welcome, please stay. :-)

[daycare]

sugar....great advice....

my state also does not allow for you to advertise until you have your lic

Maybe you can find out from your state when you are allowed to advertise. I would think that it would be a good idea to start small, enough that you can handle and once you get into a good routine of things then add to it.

I made the mistake of not setting a ground foundation with my program and took on too many kids all at once.....

best of luck to you

[Sugar Magnolia]

Originally Posted by daycare

sugar....great advice....

my state also does not allow for you to advertise until you have your lic

Maybe you can find out from your state when you are allowed to advertise. I would think that it would be a good idea to start small, enough that you can handle and once you get into a good routine of things then add to it.

I made the mistake of not setting a ground foundation with my program and took on too many kids all at once.....

best of luck to you

Also great advice daycare! Op: maybe a 2 week "open house, tours available, accepting enrollments for July xx date grand opening" approach. Then you can gauge the interest level and decide on hiring needs.

[Sugar Magnolia]

Oh I forgot! I had a banner, yard signs, flyers, brochures, business cards and a website; all that stuff cost less than a 3 day print ad in the local paper. Some gals here use craigslist, but I don't, bad experience for me. But it is free.

[sfp]

I never even thought about licensing restricting advertising... I will definitely have to check.

I really like the open house idea...

There is definitely a need for jobs in my area, it's a small country area...