Easy Marketing for Home Childcare Providers
Setting up a quality childcare is only part of what's needed to
have a successful program. You also need to let parents know
about your business. Since most home-based childcare providers
do not have a lot of money to spend on advertising, a little
creativity can help you reach parents who are looking for care.
Networking is a strong tool. Make sure that everybody you know
knows that you provide childcare. That way, if they hear of a
parent looking for care, they can refer that parent to you. Add
your business name and current openings to your voicemail or
answering machine message. Parents looking for childcare will
know instantly whether you have openings for the age(s) they
need. Announce current openings to parents who currently have
childcare in your care. Parents who are current customers are
strong references for parents who are looking for care.
Parents who are current customers can help you find new
families. Start a referral program, where current families can
get a discounted rate or bonus if they refer a new family to
you. For each referral that signs a contract, the referring
family could get a free day of childcare, or care for a parents'
night out.
If you don't already have one, consider creating a website. More
and more people are using the internet to find childcare, and a
website is a great way to give parents more information about
the care you provide. Several companies offer free or low-cost
web space, although the websites allowed by these companies will
be fairly basic. If you would like a little more polished and
complex website, plan on spending several hundred dollars to get
it started.
Advertising online can also be an effective and inexpensive way
to reach parents. Directory sites like
www.daycarematch.com allow you to reach parents instantly
and nationwide. You can manage your own profile, update your
openings, and tell parents in-depth information about the care
you provide. Many providers also report having success by
posting ads on free classifieds websites. Placing an ad in a
newspaper is typically expensive, and providers have reported
mixed results with these ads resulting in new families signing
contracts.
Target your advertising efforts where parents tend to gather.
Ask toy stores or children's boutiques if you can display some
brochures by the cashier. Ask your local hospital if you can
leave brochures for the parents taking birthing classes. Put
your business card in trick-or-treat bags at Halloween. The more
you can get your business name out there, the better your
chances of reaching parents interested in care.
Use creativity when coming up with inexpensive ways to
advertise. However, make sure you consider safety. While a sign
in your front yard may be an effective and inexpensive way to
advertise that you provide childcare, it also alerts every
passerby that there may be several children in the home, a
potential safety risk. When creating brochures or a website,
don't use your exact address. Rather use a close intersection -
on the corner of Park and Solomon - or a close landmark - behind
Southgate Mall. Parents can still get an idea of where you are
located, but you can save your actual address to give out in
person or over the phone.
With a little creativity, some hard work, and networking, you
can build a strong childcare program and help keep your openings
full. Keep your marketing efforts constant, so that you don't
need to scramble when you have an opening, but little enough
that you have plenty of time to spend with your little ones.