As the owner of a childcare center, what would you say is the most important thing that you will need to have available in order to run a successful business?
Sure, things like school supplies, food, teachers, and classrooms are all important factors in this career. However, the most crucial thing you’ll need to obtain and keep to run a thriving childcare center is…children!
That may seem like an obvious answer, but it is certainly one that you will not want to overlook. So how do you obtain children for your childcare center?
Whether or not you need help in this area, you’ll want to hear about these strategies that will help you increase your enrollments and create a thriving childcare center!
Go Where The Families Are
Perhaps the best way to scout for children to join your childcare center is to go to the places where families already tend to be located. Think about places like parks/playgrounds, trampoline parks, splash pads, amusement parks/water parks, movie theaters, local schools, festivals/fairs, or even shopping centers/malls.
When you are out at these places, use it as an opportunity to introduce yourself to the parents. A great idea would be to keep your business cards on hand so you can pass them out to people as you are making your introductions.
Don’t Dismiss Direct Mail
Sure, it may seem “old school” to use direct mail as a means of communication, but you should not dismiss it. Here’s why…
Using direct mail to communicate with someone is more personal than just sending an email (though email could work as well). If you really want to personalize your direct mail messages, consider writing them by hand instead of typing and printing them.
There is another great thing that comes with using direct mail messaging. You could offer the parents a $200 referral for anyone they get to enroll at your childcare center.
People love incentives and discounts! This presents the parents with a challenge that produces a reward for them and more enrollments for you. It saves you time by having them do the scouting for you. Everyone wins in this scenario!
Technology At Your Fingertips
It should not come as a surprise that using technology is a wonderful way to obtain children for your childcare center. (It is popular for a reason, after all).
Technology gives you many options for communication. There is emailing, as I mentioned before. You also have the magnificent world of social media platforms that allow you to reach a large audience in a short time. Social media is also the best way to make regular online posts that share the ins and outs of what makes your childcare center special!
You can even take advantage of Google reviews to draw more people to your childcare business. If you already have some children enrolled, consider asking their parents if they’re willing to write a Google review for your childcare center. The better the review, the more potential you have to gain even more enrollments!
Another (often forgotten) means of communication is using the telephone. Whenever you have parents call your childcare center to obtain information, use that as an opportunity to introduce yourself and build a rapport with them. You can even keep a list on hand with specific questions that you can ask them during these phone calls. When you are done with these types of phone calls, you can then send them a personalized note from the director of your childcare center.
Wrapping Up
Each of these strategies is great in its own way. Whether you choose to go old school with hand-written letters to send in the mail or stay more current with emails or social media, you cannot go wrong.
Remember to incorporate these tried and true strategies into your enrollment efforts and you will soon see your enrollments increase!
If you’re interested in learning more tips on how to become a seven-figure childcare business owner, let’s chat! Your path has already been charted!