Ideas on How to Give Your Program a Competitive Edge
"Why should I come to your program? "What do you offer that other family child care homes do not? "These are the two key questions parents want answered when they are looking for a caregiver for their child. Your ability to answer these questions will have a significant impact on how successful your business will be.
To answer these questions you need to be able to communicate the benefits of your program to parents.
Here's what some family child care providers shared about their benefits in a recent discussion on daycare.com:
Going green (organic food, recycling, reduce waste)
Provide pack and plays, high chairs
“Service Appreciation Night” for parents who are nurse, teacher, firefighter, police officer, military or fellow provider – one free night of care each year
Offer mildly ill care on a case by case basis
Specialize in caring only for a specific age range (0-2, 2-5, SA only)
Have a clear curriculum for preschoolers
Establish a communication system for parents – Brightwheel, daily notes, newsletter
Do not charge for registration fees, 2 weeks at Christmas, or spring break week
Provide lots of cuddling and stories
Offer a hands on experiences with play, sensory, music and dance, open-ended art, gardening, mud play
No television and electronic-free toys
Teacher assistant for a lower ratio
“Bonding Visits” for parents of infants – they can visit once a day to nurse or bottle feed in a separate room to accommodate them.
What is your competitive edge?
Tom Copeland - www.tomcopelandblog.com
Image credit: https://www.mercycare.com.au/child-care/find-a-centre/kelmscott-early-learning-centre
For more information, see my book Family Child Care Marketing Guide.
