Considering the state of the economy...Has it affected your child care business?

[Kylia | Editor]

There are many industries that are suffering and closing shop. How has the state of the economy affected your child care services, if at all? Have you noticed a drop in enrolled students? Let's discuss.

[Andrea]

Oh yeah......I've noticed that either parents are looking only for part time care-where as granndma/grandpa and other family members are pitching in for child care duties to lessen the costs or only wanting to sign up for drop ins-for again, when the other family members mentioned above can not watch the children...its def slowed down in my area a lot!

[Rosalind]

I know it is crazy here in california. I am lucky to be full on the dayshift and have 2 children on the weekends. But, my phone is not ringing much. Just 2 or 3 calls last week for furture care. The one interview I did, I believe I was too exspensive for them. I am referring people to a friend of mines who is not doing so great. She has lost all except 1 or 2 kids. She is a single parent of 4 and has a mortgage and car payment. I just keep praying for her and for myself. I will lose about 4 or 5 kids by the end of summer because the children have been here for years and now are going to Kindergarten. So without my phone ringing I can not fill those positions. My husband and I run the daycare together. This is our only income. Although since opening my daycare 11 years ago, it seems to be the way the business goes even if the economy is good. Keep marketing...especially on the internet! I'm Lullaby 24 Hour Childcare. www.Lullaby-Childcare.com

[Nikki Goethals]

I just got licensed and am only getting inquiries for part time or for babies who won't need care for months down the road. I really need to get some full time enrollments soon or I'm going to have to go back to office work.

[Suzygraysdaycare]

At least you are getting calls.I'm not getting any calls and i've been advertising like crazy.The bad part is i have 6 kids in care and 4 of them go to school full time in september and 1 goes part time to school.If any one has any other ideas please pass them along.Thanks

[Rosalind]

Well so far I am still busy. I've done 2 interviews in the last 2 weeks. Those parents have told me that they have looked into daycare centers but can not afford them. I'm here, willing and able to provide car but a lot of people are looking for help with their financial situation and unfortunatly I can only try to help me with mine. I wish I could provide daycare for free for at least a few months so that the parents can get ahead. But then reality sets in and I need financial help my own-selft. I'm playin catch-up from the times that we were down in capacity.

Most of my daycare calls are coming from the internet. So I am trying to keep reinventing myself on the internet. I continually look at my website and see if I am still protraying all that we offer for the money etc. I would like to team up with a few other days in the area to do big time ads in the newspaper or on the internet. I am Lullaby 24 Hour Childcare. www.Lullaby-Childcare.com

[Candice Wise]

Yes, I believe the economy is affecting business. I am considering advertising as a back-up or alternate care provider.

[Rosalind]

that sounds like a good idea. Although I wish I could find a way to be a sick child daycare. sick like the flu, or something like that. These kids can not attend regular daycare but their parents still have to work. I don't know even what you would charge or how you would keep from getting sick yourself or other kids with not the same sickness. Just a thought. I am Lullaby 24 Hour Childcare. www.Lullaby-Childcare.com

[Kris Murray]

Although the economy is presenting us with new challenges, there are still ways to get the word out and find new customers through unique approaches to marketing for child care providers and centers. For more tips, go here:

Child care marketing tips
How to start a daycare