Open Discussion Forum

  • 1.  HOW DO I INCREASE MY ENROLLMENT?

    Posted 05-04-2020 09:14 AM
    HOW DO I INCREASE MY ENROLLMENT?

    Since the entrance of COVID-19 Pandemic, my enrollment has drastically dropped. I run a Family Childcare Learning Home. Prior to COVID-19, my program was in full capacity but currently, I am down to three. How do I increase my enrollment as my income has been affected but my bills remain unchanged. Thank you.

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    GLORY AHARANWA
    DIRECTOR
    LITTLE ANGELS ACADEMY, INC.
    Powder Spgs GA
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  • 2.  RE: HOW DO I INCREASE MY ENROLLMENT?

    Posted 05-04-2020 05:38 PM
    Glory, this is a great question!  I am in the same position.  These are suggestions I have been given by others and have also thought up myself and have been trying.  Here is the list:

    • Flyers posted in places that are beginning to open up in your area, such as laundry mats, grocery stores, etc.
    • Find out the realtors in your area and give them a flyer (email it to them) to give to new families moving into the area.  This has been well-received by the realtors in my area.
    • Ask the local schools how they allow advertising.  Our school district does not allow flyers, but I asked the elementary school if I could come to their Kindergarten round-up, and they agreed to let me set up a booth for it.  It is coming up in August when schools will be open again. It is the day the children meet their teachers.  The booth is intended to let parents know you offer services for their preschool children or after school programs, which they would be interested in.
    • Get to know other childcare center directors or other family childcare providers in your area.  Make friends and offer to help them as well.  If you call and say right away that you want them to send children your way, they will back off.  Ask if they have openings, and if so, ask if you can refer people to them if you become full.  This opens them up so that they will also do the same for you.  Collaborate with each other and hold a combined virtual open house for all programs in your area.  We did that here (not virtual, but it was before Covid-19) and it was semi-successful.
    • Be sure your information is on your local or state childcare resource and referral website where parents look to see who has openings.
    • Have a website or facebook page or both.  Post often on both so they see you are active and see the fun things you are doing.  You don't always need to post photos, but you can write about your philosophy about teaching young children and your ideas for parents who have children with challenging behaviors (such as talk about the pyramid model or Becky Bailey, or fun things for parents to do at home to increase their learning in day-to-day activities, such as sorting and matching socks is a cognitive skill that helps with later reading abilities.
    • Read Tom Copeland's marketing ideas. http://tomcopelandblog.com/marketing
    • Word of mouth is great.  To start that going, don't be a pushy salesman.  For mom's facebook groups, just join and comment in answer to people's questions with good information.  Don't right away mention you have a childcare business. You can gradually work that in, such as if someone is asking about childcare, you can mention that you have a great program. However, it is even better if you can have a parent reply to that mom saying what a great program yours is.  Then once you have become known on the mom's group, you can start doing friend requests of some of the moms who you've commended to or given recommendations to (just a few every so often).  On your own facebook page (your personal page) post sometimes about a cute things a childcare person said or write about how much fun your sunflower house will be that you are growing with the kids, or things like that.  Then the person who you friended will look at your page and notice you do childcare.  Don't make it obvious what you are doing.  Just make friends.  Then when a friend asks them who has a great childcare program, they will mention you.
    • I am widening my age range.  Maybe you might increase hours, widen your age range, or other things that help draw more parents.  
    • Check into asking the foster care program or social workers how you can help them by providing temporary care for children that need care.  
    • Accept state subsidy children if you don't already.
    • Also people are thinking creatively, such as offer other services, such as an on-line program.  I know of someone who has a regular childcare, but for about an hour a day she does on-line teaching for those who are home so they can still participate and learn and pay a small tuition.
    • Call HR departments of the businesses in your area and let them know you have openings for their employees.

    It will be fun to see what others post in answer to your question!

    DeAnn

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    DeAnn Jones
    Co-Facilitator for the Family Child Care Interest Forum
    Discovery Place Preschool, LLC
    Stanwood, WA 98292
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  • 3.  RE: HOW DO I INCREASE MY ENROLLMENT?

    Posted 05-06-2020 11:54 AM
    Thank you so much Deann for your productive response to my question. Well appreciated.

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    GLORY AHARANWA
    DIRECTOR
    LITTLE ANGELS ACADEMY, INC.
    Powder Spgs GA
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  • 4.  RE: HOW DO I INCREASE MY ENROLLMENT?

    Posted 05-05-2020 08:24 AM
    Greetings;

    @DeAnn Jones gave some great responses.  Via facebook you can also join neighborhood  pages in your area and either post a flyer or recommend your school. You can also run an ad for  a targeted demographic.  There is also a Nextdoor  Neighbor ​app, I would recommend you join and post about your school,  but also read and respond to those in your area looking for recommendations. Make sure you know your program strengths and share them with potential customers.   Have this typed up in a professional manner so you can provide it to potential clients and post about it on social media.   Put a note enrolling sign / flag out front of your home/ school.   Also offer a sign up deal if they enroll by the end of the week.

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    Amanda Flowers
    Operations Manager
    Best Friends for Kidz
    Brandon FL
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