I am about to become an ofsted registered childminder and will work in the Stannington area of Sheffield. This will be my main source of income and I need to get up and running as soon as possible. Any advice on how or where to advertise. General good advice also appreciated.

I think the Sheffield Link (used to be the Children's Information Service) hold a register of childminders that people looking for this service often consult. This register is also on AskSid online database.
http://www.asksid.net/

Hi Joannew,

I have also recently become an Ofsted registered childminder in the Handsworth area. I started advertising whilst waiting for my Ofsted registration certificate here on the forum, I created a website, did a letter box drop in my area, put flyers up in local shops & asked friends to spread the word. I had loads of enquiries but sadly nothing came of any of them & I have discovered you get a lot of time wasters!! I've also had parents asking me if i'll take £2.00 per hour or less!!!!

Once I received my certificate & my info went onto Sheffield Information Link's (now Asksid) website I received calls within a week or 2 & now I only have 1 under 8 place available!! Maybe I was just lucky I don't know but I believe first impressions are so important & the kids I met when they came with their parents to discuss their requirments just loved being at my home & with me. It's a lovely feeling.

This is the begining of my 4th week & it's much harder than I ever imagined. After being a manager for 8 years I thought this would be a doddle but I was wrong. If you'd asked me 2 weeks ago I would have said don't do it, it's awful, find another job but now i'm starting to enjoy it.

Good luck & all the best for the future & remember tell everyone you talk to, ask them to spread the word & you'll have a full house in no time. Stick to your guns when seeing parents & remain firm at all times otherwise they'll walk all over you. That's the parents not the kids ;)

Victoria x

Best of luck with your new business. If you are targetting one area put posters up in shops, cafes, hairdressers etc. A website isnt really required but will help qualify information about your service.

Do a letterbox sized leaflet drop (3 in one A4 sheet or A5 2 in one A4 sheet) with the advantage of using your services as well as Childminding Service type title, rates and contact details.

You can add your business to Google local (or Local Business Center) in your google account and lots of other free directories.

Find a local magazine - one of the free but respected ones. Write them a column each month - childcare tips, places to visit etc. Have your contact details in the column. That way when people ask others 'which childminder do you use' they can say 'that lady from the ........ magazine'. It sounds prestigious, and if you give good advice in the mag you'll have bookings left, right and centre.

find the local schools and put big flyers in newsagents
and even hand out flyers to the parents standing outside school
and see if the schools do a annual mag or flyer that they hand out to all kids for there parents to read and ask how much to include your add

and you have a local mag every month mite be worth a try to advertise is too

Contact other local childminders who may refer parents to you when they are too busy.

I am about to become an ofsted registered childminder and will work in the Stannington area of Sheffield. This will be my main source of income and I need to get up and running as soon as possible. Any advice on how or where to advertise. General good advice also appreciated.

Hi joannew

Welcome to the wonderful world of childminding! I 've been minding for over 4 years now, it's hard work but very rewarding. SIL is definetely the best place to advertise as it's the best known and probably trusted place for parents to find childcare. I've also found that going to a local childminding group and getting yourself out in the community, to toddler groups, playcentres, library activities etc, gets your face and name known. I'd say now about 50% of my work is from people who've approached me in groups I've attended. I find parents like it when they can see you interacting with the children, and know that you are taken the children out of the house. Don't think that you can't attend childminding groups without children, until you are established I'm sure they'd be happy to have you. I'm happy to answer any other questions or just have a chat if you want to pm me. Good luck Helen.:)