• Tweet

• Tweet

Daycare owners: What is your work attire? Does the way you dress affect how parents or potential clients view you given the type of work you do? We asked daycare owners on the Ownadaycare’s FaceBook page what they wear on a day to day basis while they work. The answers ranged from casual everyday clothes to uniforms to scrubs, or yoga pants or sweats and t-shirts.

• It depends on the activities. If you are interacting with the children, playing outside, on the floor or going on walking trips, you dress the part. I wear polo and khakis and on day that we will participate in such activities as mentioned earlier, jogging pants and t-shirts.. I want my parents to know and see that I also interact with the kids.

• Jeans and a t-shirt. I get down and play w/ the kids, we cook, we paint, and we play in the dirt. I want to be comfortable and not worried about getting something on my clothes. I warn parents that we do play “dirty” and that if it’s a nice outfit then it’s for home! To put clothes on their children that the kids can play in w/o the worries of mom and dad being mad if we get dirty!

• I wear comfortable everyday clothes. I am in the floor playing/teaching up to 12 infants & toddlers all day up to 13 hours a day. My hair is thrown up in a ponytail  and no makeup. My parents have zero problems with it. My parents know I take my business very seriously but who wants to get dressed up to play in finger paint & make mud pies.

• I dress nicely – for Alaskan standards (due to gravel and rain, snow). Mostly in nicer looking jeans and a long sleeve t shirt. But I do wear nicer on interviews, but let them know I dress more appropriately for chasing children at the park when I’m with them. These days, I informed them that due to pregnancy, they will see me more with a comfortable yoga pants and sweats and maternity wear.

• I wear cute scrubs with jeans. If it is hot, I will wear the jean shorts to the knee. On other days, I will wear a long t-shirt with yoga pants or casual clothes. I always look neat, clean, fresh and ready to work. I always comb my hair nicely. I shower every single morning and I wear cologne too. So, I think I look great. I think grooming is so important to our business. I don’t think tattoos should show. I added lip gloss and silver hoop earrings this morning so I could look cuter. I love the scrubs the best my kids like the cool designs. I have about 30 scrub tops. I think the families do care how you look. I know I would not leave my child with anyone that looks unclean or messy.

• I am a mother and a childcare provider and therefore I dress the part. I look nice and neat and put together but I am comfortable and am able to play with the kids in whatever I wear while with them. My fiancé and I have 4 children between us (8, 10, 12 and 14) and 1.35 acres of land that has a big garden, a big hill and bush. We also have animals. I am also taking care of children aged 2-5 (2-12 on spring break and summer break) and I am not about to get dressed up. It’s not logical for the business we are in!

• Most days I wear a scrub top and jeans. Sometimes I will wear a regular “nice” top and jeans. When working with kids, you shouldn’t wear dressy outfits or expensive clothes. But you should also look presentable, not trashy. When I worked in a commercial daycare, my new assistant told me that I should replace the jeans she ruined because she got paint on them. I simply told her “don’t wear special/expensive clothes in a preschool. They’re BOUND to get ruined and I will not reimburse you. You should have known better.

• Comfy – but clean. I am always up and ready long before the first child arrives at 6:45 am. I know of one provider who gets out of bed when the first child arrives – they wake her up by banging on the door – how unprofessional is that?  Can’t imagine greeting children and their parents in my jammies. Who watches them while she showers and gets dressed ? Never understood this. I have always in 30 years greeted each and every parent by opening the door and a cheery good morning – whether I felt up to it or not.  In order to be treated with respect you must give respect!!

• I wear logo and slogan free t-shirts, scrub tops  (gotta love those pockets!!), tidy sweat shirts, cardigans, jeans, khakis, capris or shorts that are no shorter than my fingertips. I do wear wide strap tank tops as well but only under other garments like the above mentioned cardigans. Fridays are the only day I will allow myself to wear yoga pants. As much as I would like to wear them every day I don’t think they maintain the professional image well.

No related posts.

• Tweet

• Tweet

If you own a daycare, consider writing a monthly newsletter. Why is this important? A great newsletter is a simple tool that helps keep the lines of communication open between parents and staff. What’s more, daycare newsletter helps you grow your business, increase enrollment, and stand out above and beyond your competition. Not only does it help grow your business but it helps retain clients. Newsletters also build credibility, enhance your reputation, and are a critical element in building your brand.

Daycare Newsletter Structure

A daycare newsletter should be brief; no more than 4 pages.  The front page and back pages should attract parents’ attention, so the most significant or time sensitive information should be located here. What new things will the children learn this month? Are there any important announcements? Are there changes in policy coming up?  Do you have any new clients? Welcome them to your daycare family. Get this type of information right on the first and back pages as these are the pages parents will most likely see even if they don’t open the newsletter.

Newsletter Content

The daycare newsletter should contain informative information for parents.  A few articles or personal anecdotes work. Some suggestions:

• Tips for busy parents
• Easy, healthy recipes parents can make at home
• Extending lesson themes at home

Calendar of Events: Be sure to include a calendar of events for the month.  Share your breakfast, lunch and snack menu. Provide quick parenting tips for busy families.

Personal information: To make your newsletter shine feature the children and the staff in the newsletter. Mention any milestones or accomplishments of children and staff.  Take pictures of children’s artwork or other projects and highlight this in the newsletter as well.

A Few Tips for Outstanding Daycare Newsletters

Get parents involved: One way to make your newsletter stand out and also make sure that clients actually read the newsletter is to get them involved in creating the newsletter. Invite parents to write a feature article on a topic of their expertise or share a personal story.

Add pictures: Photographs are a great way to add a personal touch to the newsletter. If you do choose to use photos of the children in your care, be sure to have a photo authorization form on file for each child.

Finally, the newsletter does not need to be extra fancy, it can be a straightforward newsletter created in Microsoft Word, or search the internet for examples and free newsletter templates.

No related posts.

• Tweet

• Tweet

Part of your marketing strategy should include a grand opening for your daycare business. Grand openings give your childcare center exposure to the community, attracting clients and increasing enrollment.  It is important to generate buzz around your daycare business.

Create a Budget
Begin on working on a budget for the grand opening party.  There is no reason to break the bank, but remember it is an important investment for getting clients in the door and increasing enrollment. Work out your budget and be sure the grand opening reflects the best you can afford within your budget. You may decide you want the party to be a soft opening. This means that the party will not be on the opening day but rather a few weeks after the daycare center is actually operating to ensure that things are already flowing smoothly.

Generate Buzz around the Grand Opening
Next, design a marketing campaign. Create brochures and flyers and distribute them throughout the community.  Make sure the flyer is colorful has the name of your daycare in large letters, and a simple logo. Most sure the flyer is not cluttered with too much information but that it includes the important details. The flyer should detail days and hours of service, the age ranges of children you care for, and details about your meal service. If your daycare cooperates with government subsidized programs, make sure to include this information. Be sure to mention the best and/or unique features of your daycare. For example if you have a bachelor’s degree in education or have acquired a certain number of early childhood education units, make note of it. If someone on the staff has special certificates or has attended special workshops, list that. If you offer drop-in care or extended hours, or you own an environmentally friendly daycare center, be sure to highlight these aspects of your business.

Next, create an advertisement and submit it to the local newspaper. In addition, contact editors at your local radio and TV stations to invite them to the grand opening. Also post an advertisement on Craigslist or Kijiji announcing your grand opening event.

Setting up the Daycare Grand Opening

Keep the actual grand opening event simple but informative. Offer simple, light refreshments for adults and children such as punch, juice, cookies, crackers, fruit and cheese. Create information packets to handout to perspective clients which highlight all of the wonderful and convenient services you offer. Give tours and during the tour explain the mission, objectives, and policies of the child care service.

Your grand opening will generate plenty of interest and in no time your child care center will be filled to capacity.

No related posts.

• Tweet

• Tweet

Daycare Business Cards

One of the first steps in finding clientele for child day care center is through marketing in your own neighborhood. Business cards are an inexpensive way to attract clients for your daycare business. A business card has limited space. Do not clutter the space but be sure to include information that attracts attention and conveys your important information. Most clients will not want to take the time read a business card that is cluttered with too much information.

In other words, keep it simple. Here are some elements that you will want to include on your daycare business card:

• Name of Daycare: Make sure the business card is colorful and has the name of your daycare in large letters or a simple logo. For example: “Mary’s Family Daycare”
• Contact Information: Unlike on your daycare flyer, you may list your name and full address on the flyer. Also include your phone number and email address.    For example:

Janet Michaels, Director
123 Main Street
Anytown, State 12394
(123) 555-2222
marysdaycare@daycare.com

The address is optional and depends on your individual comfort level.

• Daycare philosophy: Your daycare’s one-sentence philosophy should be stated on the business card. For example:  “A place for children to learn, play, and grow”.
• Special features: Be sure to mention the best and/or unique features of your daycare. If you are daycare provider who offers drop in care or extended hours, or you own an environmentally friendly daycare center, be sure to highlight these aspects of your business. For example: “Environmentally friendly family daycare”.

You may also want to include the following:

• Credentials: If you or your director has a bachelor’s degree in education or has acquired a certain number of early childhood education units, make note of it. If someone on the staff has special certificates or has attended special workshops, list that. You are more likely to attract clients if include special credentials.
• Government Programs: If your daycare works in conjunction with government subsidized programs, be sure to add this information in short simple wording.

Where to distribute Business cards

Business cards can be distributed to most places that flyers are distributed. Laundry mats, schools, hospitals, and churches are great places to start. Your local hospital is also a great resource. Usually they give information, coupons, and freebies to new moms. Ask hospital staff if they could include your business card in that package. Give the business cards to your clients and ask them to hand them to other interested parents.

No related posts.

• Tweet

• Tweet

Marketing your daycare business on Craigslist is easy, free, and a great way to increase your enrollment and keep all of your slots filled.

1. First go to the Craigslist website: http://www.craigslist.org/about/sites and select the city or region where your daycare center is located.

2. Once you have selected the city/region closest to you, look in the upper left hand corner for “Post to Classifieds”. Click on “Post to Classifieds”.

3. Click on “Services Offered”, then click on “Household Services”.

4. Do you have a Craigslist account? If you do not have a Craigslist account, in the upper right hand corner, click on “Apply for an Account” and sign up for a Craigslist account. If already have a Craigslist account, click on “Log in to Your Account” and log in.

5. Your account may need to be authenticated by phone to post to household services. Complete this process.

6. Once your account has been authenticated, it is time to set up your advertisement. Create a “Posting Title”. Your posting title should be succinct, to the point, and grab the attention of potential clients.  For example: “Professional In-Home Family Daycare Available, 2 F/T Spots Open”.

7. Type in your specific location. For example, if you live in Los Angeles, specify what part of Los Angeles you live in (i.e. Los Feliz or Silverlake).

8. Type in Your Post Description: This is where you will type in the actual copy (wording) of the advertisement. This information will be similar to what is written on your daycare flyers.  The flyer should detail days and hours of service, the age ranges of children you care for, details about your meal service.

Be sure to mention the best and/or unique features of your daycare. For example, if you have a bachelor’s degree in child development, early childhood education or you have completed a number of early childhood education units, make note of it. If you have special certifications or have attended special workshops, list that. If you offer drop in care or extended hours, or you own an environmentally friendly daycare center, be sure to highlight these aspects of your business. Do NOT list your full address, but describe the neighborhood (i.e., quiet residential area close to parks), but do list your phone number.

9. To finalize your post, you will need to type in a verification code and click continue.

You may also use Craigslist to advertise your daycare business’ open house or grand opening, or daycare jobs.

No related posts.

• Tweet

• Tweet

Daycare Incentives, Photo by kugelfish

Marketing your daycare business is a full-time year-round task. Besides advertising your daycare business with flyers, business cards, open houses, and online ads, there is another smart option: Start a new client incentives program.

Offering incentives for enrolling as well as incentives when a client refers a family to your child care business is a great marketing tool that may help increase enrollment. Here are a few examples of incentives that may attract clients to your daycare business over and entice a client to enroll their child in your program instead of another daycare:

• Offer a 10% discount when enrolling a second child
• Offer 5% discount for 3 months on referrals
• Provide one free week of child care for clients who refer a family and a child enrolls
• Offer financial rewards if a client refers a family and a child enrolls
• Offer three days free to a new client while they evaluate your child care service
• Present Free parent’s night out once a month for enrolled children
• Offer $100.00 off for the first week
• Provide five free hours of child care on a day that the child is not usually enrolled
• Offer a lower promotional rate as an incentive for the first 2 months and then return to standard rates
• Offer free child care one weekend or a few evenings during the holiday season
• Provide gift bags for parents when they enroll their children which may include candles, stationary, etc.
• Provide welcome bags for new children which may include developmentally appropriate coloring books, crayons, and educational materials

The incentives you offer depend on your enrollment needs and your budget. For example, if the budget is tight, monetary rewards or discounts on tuition may not be the best option. Instead choose non-financial rewards such as those that involve your time, i.e., free parent’s night out or holiday or weekend care. Be sure to create flyers announcing and detailing your incentives program and hand them out to clients. Also, post the flyers areas you would normal post your daycare business flyers (community bulletin boards, hospitals, schools, etc.).

Although this is not usually the case, some clients or new enrollees may take advantage of the referral incentives. Make it clear that families referring full-time child care children will receive an incentive credit after the new family has completed three months. Be sure to create a referral incentive program form that details the rules of the program and must be submitted and signed.

No related posts.

• Tweet

• Tweet

Kindergarten Readiness Camps Photo by Woodley Wonderworks

You’ve heard of summer camp, weight loss camp, and space camp, but kindergarten readiness camp? Across America offer kindergarten readiness camps are springing up to help get kids prepared for kindergarten! So what is kindergarten readiness camp? Kindergarten readiness camp helps walk children and their parents through what the typical kindergarten experience entails and helps ensure that children  are developmentally ready for kindergarten.

It’s nearly back to school time and some preschoolers heading to kindergarten may be riddled with anxiety. No doubt this is mostly due to the unknown. Fortunately kindergarten readiness camp can resolve some of this turmoil.

The Learning Train, a camp in Greensboro, North Carolina offers a week long day camp for 85 dollars which gives students practice in the classroom for about three hours each day. The former preschoolers get to experience kindergarten type activities such as circle time. Children get to walk through practical things like how to go through the cafeteria line with their trays. The children are also screened in terms of emotional, physical, and academic kindergarten readiness before and after the camp. Parents are also provided with practical information such as how to interpret their child’s report cards.

The Creek Preschool in Orange, California offers kindergarten readiness camp for children who will be entering Pre-Kindergarten or Kindergarten in the fall. Children learn hands-on about essential kindergarten readiness skills like patterning, sequencing, letter and number recognition and sound.

E. Nopi in North Carolina also provides a kindergarten readiness camp for $125. The camp gets the children ready to meet the state’s  content standards. During this one week camp, children’s literacy skills are assessed and individualized plans for each child’s developmental needs. Children also work on problem solving skills.

The Eden YMCA in Hayward, California also offers a kindergarten readiness program featuring 3 quarterly sessions ranging from $175-$200 each and each session covering different skills.

From a parent’s perspective, kindergarten readiness camps may prove to be valuable as some school districts do not screen children until they are already in kindergarten. Kindergarten readiness camps may reduce anxiety, make the transition from preschool to kindergarten smooth, and help parents understand more about the nature of education. Camps of this nature may be worth the money, especially if the child is particularly apprehensive about entering kindergarten, even if he or she is doing well in a daycare center.

Niche child care is important to marketing daycare services and getting a leg up on the competition. Adding kindergarten readiness camp during the summer can boost enrollment as well as your income.

No related posts.

• Tweet

• Tweet

If you have recently started a daycare business, you many need to increase the number of clients that use your child day care center.  There are a variety of ways to attract new clients to your child care business.

1. Friends and Family: Friends, family and colleagues should be your first resource for child care clients. Contact friends and family to let them know of your new daycare business.  With the current state of the economy, many parents are returning to work or taking on second jobs and need someone to care for their young children.  Your child care business is a great resource for excellent, reliable, safe daycare from someone they know and trust.  Then ask them to spread the word about your high quality services.
2. The internet: The internet is a great resource for connecting with a wide variety of people and organizations. Create a simple website which details your location. Many daycare software systems allow you to purchase a website template which lets you easily plug in your own business information. Once you have created your website, advertise your daycare service on Craigslist, Facebook, and Twitter. Register your child care business with many of the online daycare directories for home daycare providers, so that your daycare is searchable on the internet.
3. Advertise: The best way to find new clients is to increase your business’ visibility. Your licensed daycare provider you should create flyers, brochures, and business cards to advertise your daycare service.  Your advertisements should include your, your daycare’s philosophy, the programs you offer, any special services available, general location of the business, hours of business, and business phone number. Business card magnets are also a good tool since potential clients can stick your business card on their refrigerator and always have your business information close at hand.
4. Community Organizations:  Visit schools, churches, hospitals and other community organizations to let parents know about your high quality child care services. These organizations are also great places to leave your daycare flyers, brochures and business cards.
5. Television, Radio, and Workshops:  Contact local radio and television stations. Let them know you are an expert early childhood development and a licensed daycare business owner. Explain that you would be willing to be interviewed to talk about parenting, daycare, or the business of child care. While on the air be sure to plug your daycare business Make mention of your business’ web address and emphasize any unique or superior services you r business offers. Offer free parenting or educational workshops to those in your community.  Pass out flyers and brochures after the workshop to promote your childcare center.

Once you get the word out that you are a licensed daycare provider and that you provide safe, high quality childcare, getting new clients will be a snap. Of course you can only take in a limited amount of clients so be sure to start a waiting list and keep potential clients updated with regard to your availability.

No related posts.

• Tweet

• Tweet

One of the first steps in finding clientele for child day care center is through advertising in your own neighborhood. Flyers are an inexpensive way to create visibility for your childcare business.

Here are a few tips for creating a daycare flyer that gets noticed and also gets responses.

• Keep it simple! Make sure the flyer is colorful has the name of your daycare in large letters, and simple logo. Most people wont to take the time read a flyer that is cluttered with too much information. The flyer should detail days and hours of service, the age ranges of children you care for, details about your meal service.
• Do NOT list your full address on the flyer, but do list your phone number. This is for your safety as a daycare provider and security of the children in your care. Simply describe the area (for example: A quiet, safe residential area in Belmont Shore)
• If your daycare cooperates with government subsidized programs, make sure to include this information.
• Be sure to mention the best and/or unique features of your daycare. For example if you or your director has a bachelor’s degree in education or has acquired a certain number of early childhood education units, make note of it. If someone on the staff has special certificates or has attended special workshops, list that. If you offer drop in care or extended hours, or you own an environmentally friendly daycare center, be sure to highlight these aspects of your business

Once you have created your simple flyer they can be distributed door to door and placed strategically on bulletin boards in related businesses.  Great places to post your daycare flyer include grocery stores, laundry mats, schools, and churches. You should also place your flyer on the windshield wipers of cars parked at places were parents shop like toy stores, and children’s clothing stores. Your local hospital is also a great resource. Usually they give information, coupons, and freebies to new moms. Ask hospital staff if they could include your flyer in that package.

Your local realtors and leasing agents are also a great source for advertising your daycare business. The usually give a welcome package to new residents which includes a directory along with flyers and business cards from local businesses. Ask for a meeting with the realtors and leasing agents in your local community and ask them to include your flyer in their welcome package. Let them know that your reliable and affordable daycare services are an additional selling feature of the neighborhood.

Again, it is very important that your flyer looks professional and polished and details all of your contact information and high quality services.  If you are posting flyers in public areas, use letter sized sheets and include handy tear away sections on the bottom which include the name of your childcare center and phone number. Flyers are a great marketing tool for your daycare business. If you’re search for staff, also note this on the flyer; it’s also a great way to alert those seeking child care jobs.

No related posts.

• Tweet

• Tweet

As you plan your child care business, consider offering unique and specialized child care services that other daycare businesses don’t offer. In this economy it is extremely important to market your business as a high quality and unique business so that it stands out from others. Specialized child care services are in high demand and offering them can be extremely lucrative for your thriving daycare business.

There are many types of unique childcare services that your daycare business might offer:

24 hour child care: Most daycare centers open at 6 am and close at 6 pm. Daycare that offers its services 24 hours a day, seven days a week, is a growing trend and a necessity for some families. Some parents work long or overnight shifts like nurses and truck drivers must. Sometimes parents have to unexpectedly take an extra shift and need emergency child care services. Sometimes, a parent changes shifts from day to night. Twenty four hour daycare is extremely convenient and can be a true lifesaver.

Vacation Daycare: If your childcare business is situated in a vacation town, consider offering vacation daycare services. Perhaps your business is in lovely Santa Barbara. Visitors with small children may plan to spend a romantic evening wine tasting and having dinner. These parents can then make a reservation with your daycare business, which of course has proven to provide high-level child-care services on a 24-hour basis. Parents can then arrange to have their children taken care of by your daycare center for a particular window of time, anytime of the day.

Green Daycare: As our society becomes more and more environmentally conscious, green (or environmentally friendly) daycare centers are increasingly in demand. A green child care center takes special measures to ensure that the environment provides the best in health for children, offering locally-grown or organic food, and celebrating multiculturalism. Green daycare centers are concerned with harmful chemicals, pesticides and do their best to eliminate them. Children are taught to respect the earth and its precious resources.

Sick Daycare: When a parent has an important meeting and their child is sick and will be excluded from daycare, what does he or she do? There is a definite need for childcare centers that serve as an infirmary for mildly ill children on an emergency basis. Each day more than 350,000 children under the age of 14 years with both parents working are too sick to attend school or child care. The National Association for Sick Childcare has a wealth of information about creating such programs.

Drop In-Childcare: Drop-in daycare is basically back-up childcare. For example, if a parent has a doctor’s visit, an event that is not appropriate for kids, something unexpected comes up, or has a date, this type of childcare option is extremely convenient. Once their children are enrolled, parents can then take the kids to drop-in child care for necessary periods of time. While not around the clock care, drop-in childcare is usually open 7 days a week and offers later hours of service.

Niche daycare is an important consideration in these tough economic times. If your child care center offers specialized childcare services, be sure to use that as a selling point when creating your daycare business plan and marketing your daycare business.

No related posts.