Is your daycare center struggling to maintain an ideal class size due to the current pandemic? Let’s face it, you didn’t get into this business because you’re a marketing guru, you got into it because you love kids!
Never fear, Wϋndercare is here to help! Follow the 10 simple steps below to set your business up for success and get your name out there where young families can find it. Ready to drive enrollment? Let’s dive in!
Check Your Tech
Step 1 – Get Your Home(page) in Order
In today’s digital world, your website is often a prospective family’s first glimpse at what your center offers. If you don’t have a website yet, start one today! There are many do-it-yourself site builders, like Wix and Weebly, which are fairly beginner-friendly. If you built your site a long time ago, it might be due for an audit. Try to view your content and layout through fresh eyes, or ask someone objective to give you honest feedback. Is the writing clear, concise, and friendly? Is the information current and up-to-date? Is the design bright, appealing, and easy to navigate? Are there clear CTAs (calls to action) for visitors to contact you or schedule a tour?
Step 2 – Be Sociable
Now that your website is looking good, it’s time to move on to social media. You’ll want to maintain an active business profile on at least two of the major platforms, like Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram. Set some time aside each week to share posts, articles, and center updates. If tweeting isn’t in your wheelhouse, perhaps a tech-savvy member of your staff would want to take on the role of social media manager!
Get Listed… Everywhere
Step 3 – Register with Childcare Resource and Referral Agencies
Just about every town, city, and county has an online site that displays resources available for families. Reach out to the agencies in your region by phone or email to find out how to get on their list, and be sure to update your center’s availability regularly.
Step 4 – Check Out School Policies
Your local school district and private schools in the area may offer parents a list of resources for before- and after-care and school breaks. If you provide services for school-aged children, be sure to call their offices for instructions on adding your center to the list. They might be very specific about what kind of marketing can and cannot be done, so read the fine print carefully.
Step 5 – “Foster” Relationships
It’s a good idea for those in the childcare space to connect with other programs and organizations that… also care for children. Foster care and social work agencies often have needs that arise for the young people in their care, and grown-ups who suddenly become guardians for the first time will need resources as their parenting journey begins. Make sure they know who you are and how you can help!
Step 6 – Talk to a Realtor
Better yet, talk to ALL the realtors! No one has their finger more firmly on the pulse of new residents moving into the neighborhood than the people who sell them their homes. As the unofficial welcoming committee, realtors provide information on just about everything a family might need when they relocate – including daycare options! A handy flyer might be just the ticket to winning over new clientele.
Expand Your Network
Step 7 – Online Opportunities
One silver lining of COVID-19 is that online networking is more accessible than ever. Where to begin? Your local Chamber of Commerce is likely hosting virtual events for area businesses. LinkedIn groups are also forming rapidly to coordinate monthly and weekly Zoom sessions to make connections, and their success means these events are likely to continue for the foreseeable future. And don’t forget to join the moms’ groups on Facebook!
Step 8 – Be a Resource for Human Resources
Big business means lots of parents in one place! It’s always a good idea to connect with the HR department of your region’s largest employers, especially for organizations that are actively recruiting staff to relocate for open positions.
Create Some Buzz
Step 9 – Classic Maneuvers
The tried and true are tried and true for a reason. Sometimes the simplest and most cost-effective marketing activities, like posting flyers at markets, coffee shops, and, of course, the library, yield the best results. Even more cost-effective? Word of mouth! Make sure your happy parents know when there are openings so they can pass your information onto friends. You may want to sweeten the pot by offering a discount for referrals that result in enrollment!
Step 10 – Use the Wϋndercare App
We’ll be honest, Step 10 is our favorite! The Wϋndercare app has many helpful features to keep your center running at full capacity. A full suite of reporting capabilities means you can pull and analyze data at any time. The Customer Relationship Management (CRM) function lets you capture and retain information on prospects, while plug-ins to your preferred email marketing platform mean easy drip campaigns to move them down the sales funnel.
Best of all, Wϋndercare frees up the time you spend on daily administrative tasks, so you have more time to focus on caring for kids and, yes, recruiting more of them!
Ready to learn more? Schedule a demo today!
