So much talk these days about branding. What is branding and how does it apply to our childcare businesses? And maybe, more importantly, how does it connect childcare clients to your business? Here’s an example: You know how you have that favorite brand of soap that you use? There’s just something about that soap that you like. So when you go to the store you will look for that brand first.
That is called brand preference.
Simply put, you just prefer that brand over any other. Brand preference is a reflection of customer loyalty, successful marketing tactics, and brand strengths.
Now I’m sure that soap company has a large advertising firm behind their campaigns that turn their brand into your preferred brand. What if we could get that type of loyalty with our childcare clients? Let’s explore what it takes to connect childcare clients to your business.
Connecting with your clients can not only set the groundwork for ongoing positive communication but can also lead to referrals. Check out these 10 ways you can create brand loyalty for your child care business.
10 Ways to Connect Parents to Your Childcare
1. Daily Notes
Years ago when I was interning at a daycare I was struck by the daily notes we would prepare for the parents. Each note was a little summary of the events along with specific details that parents would be interested in knowing about their child’s day. There were specific sections for notations about meals, diapering, and naps.
I ultimately started using the practice of daily notes when I started my childcare. I revised the format a bit to suit my business needs.
The notes were received well by parents and I eventually used them as a perk of enrollment in my marketing. Providing daily notes is as much a perk for providers as they are for parents. No longer will you be questioned about how the day went when you provide a daily summary. Offering daily notes is a great way to connect childcare clients to your business.
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2. Cubbies
Having cubbies is almost a necessity for any childcare. You absolutely need to have somewhere to store those extra sets of clothing, diapers, etc.
Why not take that opportunity and turn this necessity into a clever way to connect with your clients?
Even if you only have room for a plastic shoe box cubbie for each child, labeling it can help to immediately connect clients to your business. By simply labeling the cubbies with the child’s name and picture along with your child care business name underneath can create a sense of belonging to current clients as well as prospective parents.
3. Projects
Do you do projects at your child care?
I am almost certain that you do. Even if it’s not on a daily basis, most child care providers incorporate projects into their program. Children love creating, whether it’s an art project or working with play dough.
Here is another easy opportunity to connect clients to your business. As you label the back of the project with the child’s name and date, be sure to add your business name as well.
4. Pictures
Taking pictures of the children can be a very easy way to connect clients to your business. Parents love looking at pictures of their children. They especially love candid shots of them playing with other children. These are pictures they wouldn’t normally be able to get.
You have access to moments and events at your childcare that parents don’t. Take advantage of those opportunities and take some great pictures that you can share.
If privacy issues concern you, consider taking shots that don’t prominently feature faces but rather show the children engaged in projects or playtimes.
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5. T-Shirts
For years I have had T-Shirts made for my staff to wear. Something I have been considering for a while is having children’s T-Shirts made up as well.
This could be especially useful for providers who take their children on outings. Not only do the T-Shirts connect clients to your business, but they also act as a walking billboard with your logo on it.
6. Birthday Cards
Something I started doing years ago was to send out birthday cards to current as well as formerly enrolled children. I created an oversized postcard with a birthday cake image on it which said “Happy Birthday from all your friends at” the child care.
It’s a simple gesture that lets the parents know that we take a personal interest in the children at the childcare, whether they still attend or not.
Either pick up a few cards the next time you are at the dollar store or turn this into a project and have the kids make the cards themselves.
What parent wouldn’t smile as they handed the birthday card to their child?
7. Holiday Events
Other than birthdays, other holiday events throughout the year can present many opportunities to connect your childcare clients to your business.
After you help the kids create those show-stopping Mother’s Day and Father’s Day gift projects, be sure you put your business name under theirs.
Oh, and grabbing a few pics of the kids in the creation process to post later wouldn’t be a bad idea.
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8. Newsletter
Most of the larger daycare centers put out monthly newsletters. Not only does this keep parents up-to-date on the goings on at the daycare, but it also presents another opportunity to give a sense of connection with the families they serve.
Before you start thinking, “Wait, a newsletter? I have enough to do already!” I got your back.
A newsletter can easily be created in your average word processing program. In fact, I have used pre-made templates in Microsoft Word or Canva to create newsletters several times in the past.
By the way; you certainly don’t have to put out a newsletter every month. Think about a quarterly or seasonal newsletter as a more manageable schedule.
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9. Blog
If you have a website (and you should) think about adding a blog as a way of connecting with your clients.
Weekly posts can be priceless opportunities to educate parents on child development issues, developmental stages, parenting pointers or child care operations (like those policies they keep forgetting).
Don’t want to be that deep?
Well, you could use the blog to share with parents a recipe that you serve the children. You could talk about your childcare philosophy, upcoming holiday events, projects, etc. The list of blog topics is endless!
By the way, if you have been putting off setting up your website, click here for the easiest way to get it up and running TODAY!
10. Testimonials
Finally, testimonials from current and former clients can be a great way of connecting with prospective clients. In the online world of today, people are Yelp review hungry. They will go looking to see what someone has said about your business even before calling.
Why not help them out?
If you don’t have a Yelp account maybe consider starting one. Another option would be to ask clients for testimonials that you could add to your website and/or your marketing material.
