Moving Home

[williams2008]

I think it is time for me to move the daycare back to my house. As much as I enjoy having the separate space, things are just not working out the way I planned for the to

I feel like I have failed and on top of that I have a signed lease on the rental property. I am sooooo confused and I just don't know what else to do:confused:

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

How much longer do you have on the lease?

[My3cents]

I think it is time for me to move the daycare back to my house. As much as I enjoy having the separate space, things are just not working out the way I planned for the to

I feel like I have failed and on top of that I have a signed lease on the rental property. I am sooooo confused and I just don't know what else to do:confused:

:hug:

put yourself back to where your head was when you decided to adventure to this new place. Go back and figure out how you can fix things. Think outside the box. Huttle up and put the thinking cap on and start a new- tweak what is not working. Make list.

You didn't fail- you tried something new. change your thinking pattern to be more positive and see if that helps put things in a new perspective. lovethis

[williams2008]

How much longer do you have on the lease?

Another 2.5 years. I know I shouldn't have signed a 3 year lease, but things were really looking up at the time of the move and I had made up my mind that I was going to stay here and make it work regardless of what happens.

I was at full enrollment and since being here I have lost 4 kids and I still haven't been able to fill their spots. I have been so stressed about trying to make ends meet.

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

Would moving it back home help you financially, or would it be the same because you are still paying the lease?

What advertising are you doing right now?

Could you POSSIBLY offer a "Refer a Client!" incentive to current clients and offer them $50.00 off of one weeks tuition should a client they refer enroll and remain in care for x amount of months?

[melilley]

Oh, I'm so sorry! I know how excited you were when you moved the daycare! Maybe give it another month or so if you can. I know that there are times when people look for care more than others, maybe it's just slow right now.?
I agree with My3cents, you didn't fail! You took a big risk of moving and actually made it happen, I wish I could do the same! I also like her idea of thinking outside the box and making a list. Maybe put the list on here and we can brainstorm and come up with some solutions, you never know, there might be something that someone has done that you didn't think of that helped them. :hug:

[williams2008]

Would moving it back home help you financially, or would it be the same because you are still paying the lease?

What advertising are you doing right now?

Could you POSSIBLY offer a "Refer a Client!" incentive to current clients and offer them $50.00 off of one weeks tuition should a client they refer enroll and remain in care for x amount of months?

Moving home wouldn't help me out financially unless the landlord was to let me out of the lease

I actually been thinking of doing a "Refer a Client" with an incentive of $30.00 off of their one weeks tuition.

[williams2008]

:hug:

put yourself back to where your head was when you decided to adventure to this new place. Go back and figure out how you can fix things. Think outside the box. Huttle up and put the thinking cap on and start a new- tweak what is not working. Make list.

You didn't fail- you tried something new. change your thinking pattern to be more positive and see if that helps put things in a new perspective. lovethis

Thank you! I have been brainstorming the entire weekend about what I could do different.

[Unregistered]

I'm sorry this isn't working for you. I have often thought of doing this but by the time I would pay rent, utilities, insurance, etc. I would more then like be bringing home nothing or very little.

I did have a friend that did this for a year and in the end ended up back at her house because she financially was making nothing at it. I think you would have to have a large chilcare, with low rent/utilities/etc. to really make it work.

We have a center that does tons of parent donations because by the time they pay mortgage/rent, all the workers, utilities, etc. there really isn't anything to put back into the business.

[mamac]

Maybe you could try a summer camp program just to get some money coming in for the next few months. Kind of like a drop in program but for a week at a time. No permanent contracts. Just plan lots of fun, summer type activities without the curriculum aspect so parents have a place to send their kid for a week. Or you could do a "college for kids" type program and offer a week long class in a specific theme. Here is a link from a local university and their course descriptions to give you an idea. Most of them are geared for the older SA kids but maybe you could tweak them for the younger kids.

http://www.westfield.ma.edu/cfk/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/CollegeforKidsBrochure2013.pdf

Cooking week? Paper mache? Recycled Art? Fitness? Bubbles? (see related thread)

Maybe people will see what you have to offer and become regular clients?

I'm sure we can think of something that will help. Don't give up yet!!!! :hug:

[Blackcat31]

Thank you! I have been brainstorming the entire weekend about what I could do different.

I'm sorry that you aren't having any luck with moving to a separate place.

Is it lack of enrollment or is it something else?

I DO think child care enrollment is down for almost everyone as the economy is definitely forcing families to become more self-supportive and to find ways in which to cut back on expenses.

I wish there was something I could say or do to help you out as I have NEVER regretted having a separate building for child care....(although it did take me a few months to fill up).....it was/is still the best thing I ever did.

I make a nice income and contrary to some beliefs, I don't have to maintain a really large group or have low overhead costs to make a profit....just a good business plan that allows for MORE income than expenses.

I'd like to say "Don't give up" but I don't know your financial situation so I guess the bottom line is you have to do what you have to do in order to survive.

I do wish you the best though no matter what you decide to do.

[AmyKidsCo]

I'm sorry.

I agree about the summer camp idea - parents seem to like enrolling their children in camps and will pay more than for "plain child care."

[williams2008]

I'm sorry that you aren't having any luck with moving to a separate place.

Is it lack of enrollment or is it something else?

I DO think child care enrollment is down for almost everyone as the economy is definitely forcing families to become more self-supportive and to find ways in which to cut back on expenses.

I wish there was something I could say or do to help you out as I have NEVER regretted having a separate building for child care....(although it did take me a few months to fill up).....it was/is still the best thing I ever did.

I make a nice income and contrary to some beliefs, I don't have to maintain a really large group or have low overhead costs to make a profit....just a good business plan that allows for MORE income than expenses.

I'd like to say "Don't give up" but I don't know your financial situation so I guess the bottom line is you have to do what you have to do in order to survive.

I do wish you the best though no matter what you decide to do.

Yes it's the lack of enrollment. With school being out and older siblings at home parents are trying to save money.I understand their decisions as well, but it has hit me really hard with the drop in enrollment.

[williams2008]

I'm sorry this isn't working for you. I have often thought of doing this but by the time I would pay rent, utilities, insurance, etc. I would more then like be bringing home nothing or very little.

I did have a friend that did this for a year and in the end ended up back at her house because she financially was making nothing at it. I think you would have to have a large chilcare, with low rent/utilities/etc. to really make it work.

We have a center that does tons of parent donations because by the time they pay mortgage/rent, all the workers, utilities, etc. there really isn't anything to put back into the business.

I'm at that point now of bringing home very little. I keep telling myself that if I can just make it through the summer things will pick back up!

[williams2008]

Maybe you could try a summer camp program just to get some money coming in for the next few months. Kind of like a drop in program but for a week at a time. No permanent contracts. Just plan lots of fun, summer type activities without the curriculum aspect so parents have a place to send their kid for a week. Or you could do a "college for kids" type program and offer a week long class in a specific theme. Here is a link from a local university and their course descriptions to give you an idea. Most of them are geared for the older SA kids but maybe you could tweak them for the younger kids.

http://www.westfield.ma.edu/cfk/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/CollegeforKidsBrochure2013.pdf

Cooking week? Paper mache? Recycled Art? Fitness? Bubbles? (see related thread)

Maybe people will see what you have to offer and become regular clients?

I'm sure we can think of something that will help. Don't give up yet!!!! :hug:

The summer camp sounds like a great idea!

Right now all the other daycares along with myself are fighting a battle against 2 programs. One summer program is offered at a church here and they only charge $25.00 per week. The other program is only charging $20.00 for the entire summer.