Promotion hints and tips
In an ideal world, when someone says “I’m
looking for childcare” you want your name to spring to mind! You
can help make this happen by promoting your business even when you
don’t have a vacancy, so, when you do have spaces, you are already
well-known and highly-regarded.
Try the following to make sure people know you’re a childminder
and the benefits of your business:
Regularly update your families' information service
(FIS) details
Make sure that you complete any forms sent to you by your FIS, and
aim to answer every question. If something changes about your
service, for example, you gain a qualification, remember to tell
your FIS. If you are on the borders of your FIS’s area, see if you
can be listed by neighbouring FISs too. Find your
local FIS here and don't forget that lots of parents will find
your details this way.
Talk to others about what works for
them
Your FIS, childcare support workers, and other
childcarers will be able to let you know what type of advertising
is successful in your area and how they fill vacancies. Find out
what parents want. Talk to the people above, and the parents you
know, about what families would like from their ideal childcare
service. Ask the parents you already work with how they found you
and what attracted them.
Sign up for vacancy schemes
Find out if any vacancy schemes are running in your area. Many
schools and children’s centres now offer vacancy-matching
schemes.
Get involved in local projects
Try contacting your local authority, children's centre, or
childminding development worker to see if there are any projects
you could get involved in, for instance, offering respite care. As
well as helping to fill places, these projects give you experience
in different types of work which can lead to future interest in
your service.
Join a childminding network
You’ll have the support of a coordinator when you have vacancies to
fill and may get the chance to become quality assured or accredited
to offer early years education — another string to your bow! You
can find out whether there is a network in your area by contacting
your local NCMA office or local authority
early years team. If you’d like more information about networks in
general visit www.ncmaccf.org.uk (external
link).
Turn your successes into news stories
If you have some good news, share it! Contact your local paper,
radio station or childminding newsletter, or produce your own
newsletter for the families you work with. Always display best
practice - wherever you are, make sure that people remember
you for the quality of care you give the children.
Join a group or network
Joining a
childminding network or group is one of the best things you can do
to promote registered childminding and your own business. By
working together you can reach a much wider audience. You can
work together to fill vacancies by letting one another know
when you have vacancies to fill or know of families looking for
childcare. Many networks and groups have a vacancy coordinator
whose contact details are put on publicity materials and held by
the FIS.
Hit the headlines
It’s easier to get publicity as part of a group, so organise lots
of events and invite the papers along, or send them photos
afterwards.
Promotional materials
Produce leaflets,
posters, and a website holding your group’s details. This can be
cost effective and some places will only display general group
adverts. You could even invest in a radio advert.
Attend events
Arrange stands at school events or shopping centres, or give a talk
at a Sure Start centre. Some groups arrange drop-ins where parents
looking for childcare meet childminders.
Reach employers
Make a list of employers in your area then share them out and
contact their personnel departments to find out if your group could
have its vacancy coordinators details put up in the staff room or
in the office newsletter.
Get yourself heard
Nominate group members to attend local authority meetings, take
part in early years forums and respond to any consultations to make
sure childminding is on people’s minds.
To find a childminding group in your area call NCMA on 0845 880
0044.