I've fortunately been very lucky when it comes to client referrels and keeping my home-daycare full at all times. I get calls pretty frequently and even when I'm full, I give out an estimate date that I'll have a spot open and I always follow through. I've had children come part-time and for the days that I'm over my limit, my assistant comes in and helps to keep me at ratio. My assistants range in age and experience but they are usually high-school or college aged who are looking for a foot in the door for child care or early childhood education experience.
For advertising, I only use the website VistaPrint. This website is great for every advertising need you have and I've always been a very happy customer with all of the awesome deals they send me through my email. Once you order something, you are signed up with their 'newsletter' that comes often in your inbox and offers free shipping to free products. The prices are wonderful, but keep a look out for the emails because those are where the big savings are.
Brochures
My brochure keeps me happy and I've rarely changed but minor details. The templates at VistaPrint are great under the childcare/education section and the children on my brochures are so fun to look at. Because you will be giving brochures to people who are looking into your home-daycare, having a great first impression is important. The things I include in my brochure are obviously my name and general area in which I live (never my full address), the hours I'm open and the ages I care for, a little bit about me and my experience and education, and inside I include my schedule, pricing, my programs I offer, and other details that are important such as holiday care. I love that parents who call will say that they are looking at the schedule and see that I'm moving onto lunchtime and if meeting during naptime sounds like a better idea.
Car Door Magnet
I ordered the small car door magnet and it's always been wonderful. I have a simple slogan of "Need Childcare?", with my general area of where I live and my phone number that's in bright, big numbers. It's so simple to place on my vehicle and drive around during errands or fieldtrips. The magnet sticks well on my vehicle, too.
Lawn Signs
My lawn sign is an exact replica of my car magnet. I do not place this in my yard due to the fact that I live in a cul-de-sac and traffic never gets heavy, so instead I went out to a close nearby intersection and placed it there by a stop sign. It's held up great and remember to keep your number bright and big so that passing cars can quickly jot it down or remember it.
Business Cards
Super important advertising product! These are my favorite because they are small, contain the basic information, and are bright and colorful. Because these are small, placing them everywhere is simple enough. I place one in the carrier in the drive-thru at the bank for the person behind me to grab and I even leave them on tables at the food court in the mall and at restaurants. At Walmart and Babies-r-Us I grab a stack of cards and place them in pant pockets in the baby section, blanket sets, diaper bags, toys, display strollers and carseats, high chairs and even display cribs. I leave a small stack in the Nursery/Breastfeeding/Changing Room at Babies-r-Us on one of the side tables and don't forget slipping a card into the shopping bag at checkout for the next person to grab. Go nuts with these cards, their inexpensive enough to leave just about anywhere.
Postcards
You don't need to put all of your details on postcards, and it's not a wise decision to anyway. Leave most for the phone or in-person interview so it's important to have just your name and contact info, your hours and ages you care for, and your general area in which you live. These are great for grocery stores, beauty salons, churches and restaurants. Ask a manager for permission to place one on their bulletin boards and that's all there is to it.
Small Business Magnets
Continuing with my previous post regarding top baby gear, this post includes my favorite jumpers, walkers and playstations. Each of these maximize play-bility with older infants who need more interactions than what a playmat or bouncer can give. I keep in mind the price, the weight limits, and of course the portability along with the look and feel of it. Infants like being comfortable. The prices on these range quite a bit, so keep in mind your budget and you will be good to go. Here we go...
Jumpers
Jumpers are fun for infants and they provide stimulation when you are away/busy with older children. The following are ones that I've personally owned and have loved for the toys and overall attractions.
Fisher Price - Precious Planet Blue Sky Jumperoo
This jumperoo is amazing! The toys around the jumper and the ones that are suspended in the air provide hours of fun for my infants. They love the ability to spin themselves around and pick and choose which toy that want to play with with the seat that swivels 360 degrees. The ability to jump around really encourages the little ones to exercise their little legs. The price for this costs around $70, pretty much the norm for a good, solid jumperoo, but I saved for this and purchased this and have been happy with it for the year or so that I've had it.
Fisher Price - Adorable Animals Jumperoo
This jumperoo is limited in toys, so this is why I use this mainly for my younger infants between 7 and 9 months who are rolling over and have 'outgrown' playmats and bouncers. This is sort of the first step into the world of jumpers where they get acquainted with using their legs to jump and 'walk'. A perk of this jumperoo is the ability to easily fold this up and store it away when the infants aren't using it. The price is around $70.
*******
Walkers
I've only ever purchased one walker, and I mainly use this outdoors when the older children are playing. For infants beginning to learn to walk, I take them outdoors and let them walk themselves around the driveway in this walker. I don't have the indoor space for a walker, nor do I have hardwood or tile floors in my room where my daycare is set up to allow for a walker to be used. As long as this walker stays out of the sun when not in use, it's great.
Bright Starts Walk-A-Bout Walker
This walker cost me $40 and I've had it for two years. The colors are bright and fun, and it's stayed very clean and useful. I use this outdoors so I have no experience for it indoors, but I suggest this because it's brought so much ease to outdoor playtime. I place the infant in this and let them ride around while I push a toddler on the swing or help a preschooler ride a trike. It has come in handy so much for me these past couple years.
*******
Playstations
My favorite amongst baby gear are playstations and/or exersaucers. They are so convenient and you can slip an infant in one in a jiffy without much hassle from their end. As long as you rotate toys and stations, their attention never seems to waiver.
Bright Starts - Doodler Bugs Baby Activity Station
This playstation is so wonderful! I love that the babies can walk around the center toy table and I've never had complaints from any of my infants refusing to get in this one. The toys are so useful and fun for them that I willing dished out the $80 for this activity center. I've never had any problems with this and I am a very happy 'user' of this playstation. A must-have.
Summer Infant - 3 Stage Super Booster Seat
This booster is a wonderful addition for a home-daycare with infants. It helps with posture during the six-month mark and encourages babies to entertain themselves. My only suggestion would be to buy additional toys that suction such as high chair or stroller toys, and place one or two different ones on the tray each day. This keeps an infant always interested in finding which toys are attached. I love that this booster works with infants AND toddlers. At $40 this is great.
*******
This wraps up my posts with my favorite, most-used baby gear in my home-daycare. With any baby gear you plan on purchasing, I highly suggest pursuing thrift stores or garage sales first. I visit my favorite thrift store every Saturday and most of the times I find amazing deals with things I can use in my daycare. Most often I find really nice, clean clothing that I use as backups and I've found two of my carseats there, too. I've found a baby corral that I continue to use because the sides are all different colors and it keeps the infants contained in one area when free-playing, and I've found small purses, wallets and coin purses for pretend play that I stuff with used gift cards. Visit a nearby thrift store if you have one, and keep a look out for gear that is in good condition and is being offered for a good price.
My next post will cover advertising. I've had a very successful business with many interested clients in an incredible short amount of time. Keep a look out for that.
Home-daycares aren't known for being large and offering a massive amount of space. Most in-home daycares are made up in a large bedroom or living room, with providers making due with the space while still offering the children plenty of room to play in. My home-daycare is set up in a large den, which has been renovated to fit my needs of the children I care for. I have the basic necessities that all home providers should have, with a little extra indulgences. This post is dedicated to the gear that have come in handy and have been a lifesaver when I am caring for an infant. There isn't always a hand or arm available to hold the infant, so where do I turn? Continue reading.....
Baby Bouncers
I've cared for infants as young as three weeks of age and as much attention as they need, the toddlers and preschoolers don't always allow for me to devote this without interruptions. I really enjoy baby bouncers for younger infants who are unable to sit up, especially if the bouncer comes with toys attached and music to keep the baby entertained. My choices for bouncers would be:
Fisher-Price - Infant-to-Toddler Rocker, Elephant
At only $30, you can't go wrong. Neutral design, durable and easy to clean with just a quick wash in the washing machine. The music is great for keeping an infant entertained while setting up a project for older children or preparing a meal.
Bright Starts - Fun on Safari Bouncer
Coming in just under the $23 mark, this bouncer is great for newborns up to five months. It is another neutral design that provides a soft comfortable seat along with neat toys that the infants never get tired of. This bouncer is very slip-resistant and I've placed this on the table when preparing lunch without any problems at all. The toy bar is easy to remove with just one hand and provides easy access when baby is being placed in, and taken out of.
*******
Swings
When it comes to baby swings, portablilty is key. I've cared for a two three-week-olds at once with my four older children and swings are a livesaver! They really allow for the infants to be comfortable with a rocking motion and it's amazing how much my children loved them. For my choices in infant swings:
Fisher-Price Adorable Animals Fold & Stow Swing
This swing folds flat which is one of the greatest features in a swing. The reclining seat is great when you are rocking a baby to sleep or when you want the infant propped up to view activities. The mobile is netral gendered which comes in handy, too. The music is an added bonus. For around $80, it's a little pricey but this swing has been great for the almost three years I've had it with around seven infants who have used this on a daily basis at one point.
Bright Starts Portable Swing - Fun on Safari
Every home-daycare needs a portable/travel swing. This one is a favorite of mine especially with smaller infants because I can easily lift this with one hand and transport it to another room (such as the dining room). The toy bar is great for keeping an infant's attention while you tend to other children and the travel portability comes in handy during circle/story time, so you can keep a close eye on an infant while still sitting amongst your other children. At around $43, this swing is awesome.
*******
Play Mats/Gyms
Play Mats are a great addition to any daycare with infants. My daycare schedule allows for me to devote two hours to my infants while the older children are napping, and play mats are handy to have when practicing tummy-time. Just like with the infant swings, I like mats that are portable and easy to fold away. My choices for play mats include:
Sassy-Stim - Gym Tummy Time and Play Mat
This may look small, but it really is generously sized. The lady bug design is pretty girl-orientated, so this mainly gets used by my little girls. Parents have raved about the mat being simple while still allowing their infant to exercise and provide necessary skills such as reaching for toys. I love this and it's not too tough on your budget at $29.
Disney - Winnie the Pooh Playtime Gym
This play mat has held up wonderfully compared to previous ones that I've purchased. It's pricey for a mat ($45), but I think it's something that is worthy of investing in. The toys couldn't be more easy to clean and disinfect, and they are activated by an infants touch which helps teach the infant the cause-and-effect concept. It's so simple to grab a mat and place an infant on it when you are directing storytime and rounding up children for an activity.
*******
This rounds up my post regarding Bouncers, Swings and Playmats. I shop around for versatile, portable and convenient gear that will last while still keeping my budget in mind. I'm constantly looking around for new gear, so keep checking back for updates. My next post will be more of my favorite infant gear including walkers, jumpers and playstations.
After pursuing many websites and blogs centering around a home-daycare and everything that comes with it, I've yet to come across one that I like in terms of projects, fieldtrip ideas, lesson plans, daycare questions and suggestions, accommodating parents with extended families and difficult situations, forms, costs, and all other things that go into making and keeping a home-daycare business successful. This is why I've created my own blog, with focuses on everything previously mentioned and my experiences with them as well. I'm a young, creative home-daycare provider who is self-taught and I've learned many things from seeing others do business as well as trusting my instincts and following my education. This blog is about building a successful home-daycare from even the knowledge-less of the business.
