Let’s face it. If you’re a daycare provider, you have enough on your plate.
Inspections. Licensing. Background checks. These all take priority over anything else. And at the end of the day, your children’s safety and happiness will always come first in your business. Except without new enrollments, you won’t have much of a business left. Daycare owners like you worry about how to attract parents to your daycare to increase enrollment.
Marketing can seem daunting for daycare providers. It’s a prospect most people associate with large enterprise operations. And whether you’re working out of your home or a dedicated facility, it seems inconceivable that child care centers would need to launch marketing campaigns. But daycare is a $41 billion industry in the U.S. alone, with approximately 75,000 providers.
And the number’s growing. Competition is getting fiercer—even among friendly neighborhood providers. The good news? Marketing doesn’t have to be expensive, technology driven or time consuming. In fact, it can be kind of fun. If you’re at a loss for marketing ideas, here are some of the best practical tips on how to attract parents to your daycare, both online and offline.
1. Get To Know Your Community Through An Open House
Parents crave social interaction more than anything. And whether they’re working parents or a stay at home spouses, chances are they’re going to be in the market for a childcare provider. Hosting an open house doesn’t (and frankly, shouldn’t) have to be thought of as a hard sales pitch.
In fact, it can be as simple as tidying up your facility and leaving ample room for parents to mingle over snacks and refreshments. This not only puts parents in a relaxed state of mind but helps you get to know your community better. After all, you’re going to be seeing a lot of them over the next few months.
2. Network Creatively
Every single company—from your neighborhood mechanic to Macy’s—is using social media to promote their business. There’s no reason why you can’t. In fact, chances are there’s a Facebook group (or twelve!) for new and expecting parents right in your own community. This is a great way to offer advice, and support and simply casually mention your services.
A word of caution, however. Some groups won’t allow commercial solicitation. Always check with a moderator before mentioning your child care services. These groups are for discussion, and not always marketing.
3. Never Doubt The Power Of A Friendly Word
Child care marketing can seem difficult. And some parents never seem to be pleased. And like it or not, your reputation is at stake. Child care providers need all the help they can get, and word-of-mouth marketing is one area they can excel. Parents tend to draw on one another for support.
And the better your service, the more likely they are to refer you to friends and family members. Don’t be afraid to ask for referrals from your happiest parents. In fact, you’ll sometimes find they won’t need much prompting to think of at least two or three other families in the neighborhood.
4. Workshopping
Underestimating what to expect as a parent has always been a dilemma. After all, there’s no handbook given out at birth. Sponsoring a parent workshop can be as simple as contacting local hosts and providing them with an hour or two of your time. And chances are, there’s a host of parenting workshops right in your backyard.
Even informal “Parents Night Out” events can be an excellent networking opportunity in addition to increasing enrollment. Just make certain you have plenty of business cards ready. You never know when you’re going to run out!
5. Leverage Daycare Apps
Parents are just as tech-savvy as their kids these days. They have to be. And luckily, there’s a host of apps you can take advantage of as a daycare provider. From marketing to management, accessible opportunities are endless.
More importantly? Parents don’t have the time to sort through countless offerings from providers. They need to find daycare immediately. Give them both access and convenience. Both can be the difference between you and your competition.
Being a daycare business owner is tough. Marketing shouldn’t have to be. Follow us for more tips on how to attract parents to your daycare. Contact us for childcare marketing solutions or call (855) 215-3838 to find out how we can help your enrollment surge!