This blog post was written by an expert guest author. Their views may not always reflect the views of ParentSeek.
Marketing your child care center means focusing on the benefits you offer your customers. It’s important that you showcase features of your center that appeal to young families. Features are the qualities of your center that make a valuable impression on parents (for example, certified caregivers). Benefits are what your customers get from those special features.
Some child care center beneficial features are obvious while others might be hidden, but super valuable to parents searching around. Here are five beneficial features that some child care centers forget to include in their marketing plans:
Provided school lunch is a huge time-saver for parents.
If your child care center offers lunch, you should highlight that on your website, social media, brochures, and any other marketing materials you might have. When lunch is included for children attending your center, it frees up time for parents. Plus, parents won’t have to worry about shopping, prepping and remembering to grab the lunchbox before rushing out the door in the morning.
When marketing that you offer provided lunch, make sure that you highlight what parents get out of that: a balanced meal for their little ones included with tuition so parents don’t have to pack lunches.
Open door policy allows parents to stop by on their lunch hour.
Many child care centers allow parents to drop by and see their children whenever they would like. This policy is especially helpful for new parents who are adjusting to the idea of being away from their children.
By inviting parents to stop by, you’re also encouraging them to come and see what you’re doing in the classroom each day. Host regular parties for parents to celebrate special holidays with their children, such as Mother’s Day and Father’s Day. Market this benefit as the ability to be a part of your student’s child care and learning experience.
Flexible hours make parents’ lives easier.
Child care centers that allow you to drop off and pick up your child at different times each day or that offer hourly pricing so children attend only when parents need them to have a market advantage. In these cases, parents pay only for the time they need their child to be in your care. If your center offers flexible hours, be sure to highlight that!
Not only will they save money, but they’ll also get to spend more time with their children. If you offer date night coverage once a month or something along those lines, be sure to emphasize that to parents as well. It’s comforting for moms and dads to know that they can get away for an evening out while their little one is with caregivers they know and in an environment they’re familiar with.
Preschool programs prepare children for school.
If your center offers preschool programs, you should highlight the many benefits that come along with preparing children for kindergarten long before they enter. You’ll also be able to make some parents lives’ easier by giving them a closer preschool option in their area, rather than having to bus them to a school that offers it.
According to a recent study, children who attend a child care center before kindergarten have better math and reading skills than those who don’t.
Highlight your different programs and aspects of their curriculum, such as color recognition, numbers and counting, and letter recognition and sounds. Let parents know the true value of their tuition dollars.
Childcare software keeps you in touch throughout the day.
Parents are used to being well connected now. From their banking app to their digital shopping list, today’s parents expect to be in-the-know and in touch with everyone, including their childcare center. Childcare management software allows parents to message their child’s teacher with questions and stay in touch throughout the day.
Be sure to highlight the convenience parents get from your childcare software and how they can keep up to date on their child’s learning and development. This makes it easier for parents to talk to their children on the way home about what they learned that day.
About iCare childcare software
iCare Software is designed to make busy childcare administrator’s work easier, empower teachers by putting classroom information at their fingertips and provide seamless communication for parents throughout the day. Information powers learning, and we believe iCare helps childcare facilities raise amazing children.
