We talk to providers about meeting other providers in the community to help them network with one another. When providers go on vacation, they can make provisions for another child care provider to take over, so families won’t have to scramble to find other child care services. Some programs might even be able to share substitutes.

Substitutes may work a few hours each week for several different providers. Also, family child care providers can meet at the park with parents and let the parents socialize. Two or three providers may agree to have kids meet with other providers and parents as part of a special event. By agreeing to meet at some place like a park, they get that large group socialization.

Many families are overwhelmed by those things they need to do everyday to take care of their families. Anything child care providers can do to support parents and to make their lives easier will be seen as an added bonus and can be used in marketing their program. In addition to providing high quality care, responding to parents’ needs is the best way to ensure high demand for a particular provider’s services. Quality care comes first, then unique services.

Each family’s child care arrangement needs are unique. Practical consideration like their employment schedules or the needs of parents to have time together without their children mean that many will require child care at other times than the typical 9-to-5 workday. Many times, family child care hours are 12 hours as opposed to centers which average a 9-hour full day. Family child care hours allow parents to go to the grocery store or the bank or run errands that would be easier without the kids.

If a child care provider finds they work better with a certain age group of children, they should think about focusing their business around that age group. Not only is it better for the provider, but it’s better for the kids in their care. I know of some providers who only take children up to 3 years of age. When the kids get older, they refer them to other child care providers who specialize in that age group.

I offer evening care and holidays for people who have nightshifts. They can have the 6:00 pm – 12:00 am shift or 12:00 am – 6:00 am shift, so I accommodate all types of schedules. I also provide what is called “24-hour care,” which is really 23-hour care because legally I can only be open for 23 hours. This flexibility with my hours of operation allows me to work with the parents’ schedules. Whatever their shift is, we accommodate them.

Sometimes if my parents can’t make a doctor’s appointment, I’ll take their child for them. I also transport children to and from school and we go to the library for storytime. I also offer services for special needs kids. I can take care of children with diabetes, asthma, autism, or Down Syndrome. I’ve taken classes at community college about special needs kids, and since I need to continue to be informed on current practices, I also take workshops.

Parents have expressed a definite need for child care on the weekends and at night. You may want to start with a few kids, but she you still get a great child care business going. Word of mouth among parents is perhaps the best way to grow your business. You need to provide quality care, of course, but the fact that she is open on Saturdays is really going to get people talking.