The truth is, sometimes what was working before just doesn’t anymore. And clinging to the old way of doing things can actually keep us stuck.
So today, let’s talk about why we resist change, what it does to our businesses, and how shifting our mindset can open doors to more enrollments, happier families, and even less stress for us!
How a Simple Mindset Shift Changed My Presentations
Last night, I tried something new. I started my presentation with a little mindset ice-breaker. I told the audience how I love watching my favorite movies over and over because I always catch something new—some small but meaningful detail I never noticed before.
I did this because I wanted the providers in the room to open their minds to hearing new ideas. Ideas that might be different from what they’re used to, but just might work even better. I had been thinking about trying this for a while, and honestly, I think I’ll start every presentation this way from now on. It worked. People were more open. They listened differently. And it got me thinking—what if we all did this in our businesses?
Why We Resist Change
If you’ve ever thought, “I never had to do that before,” congratulations, you’re human! Change is uncomfortable. It’s messy. It makes us question things. And let’s be honest—it’s easier to stick to what we know.
But just because something worked before doesn’t mean it’s the best option now. Think about how much childcare has changed over the years. Are we still using cloth diapers and heating bottles on the stove? Nope. Because we found better, more efficient ways to do things.
Yet, when it comes to running our daycare businesses, we sometimes resist new ideas simply because they’re new. We think, “I’ve always done it this way,” or “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” But what if we’re so busy holding onto the old way that we don’t even see a better way right in front of us?
Related Reading:
- How to Start My Childcare Over in 2025
- STARTING A CHILDCARE: What I got wrong and how I fixed it
- How To Jumpstart Your Daycare Mojo: 50 Morning Affirmations for Childcare Providers
I created the Rise & Thrive Club—a community of childcare business owners who support and encourage each other. If you need guidance, accountability, or just someone to remind you that you’ve got this, come join us!
What Resisting New Ideas Does to Us and Our Businesses
Sticking to old ways when better options exist doesn’t just slow us down—it holds us back. Here’s what happens when we resist new ideas:
- We get left behind. The daycare world is changing. Parents are looking for different things. If we don’t evolve, we risk losing enrollments to providers who do.
- We make things harder on ourselves. Sometimes we’re working twice as hard because we refuse to change a system that no longer serves us. Why struggle when there’s an easier way?
We miss out on growth. New ideas can mean new revenue streams, new services, and even a fresh spark of motivation in our work. But if we’re not open to them, we never get those benefits.
How to Be More Open to Adopting New Things
So, how do we break free from our old ways and open ourselves up to new ideas? Here are a few ways to start:
1. Challenge Your Own Thinking
Ask yourself: Why am I resisting this? Is it truly a bad idea, or is it just unfamiliar? Sometimes, just admitting that we’re stuck in our ways is enough to make a shift.
2. Try Small Changes First
You don’t have to overhaul your whole daycare overnight. Start small. Maybe it’s testing a new daily schedule, updating your contract, or tweaking how you communicate with parents. See how it feels.
3. Talk to Providers Who’ve Done It
Find other providers who have made changes and listen to their experiences. What worked? What didn’t? Sometimes, hearing real-life success stories makes new ideas less scary.
4. Learn from Other Industries
We don’t have to reinvent the wheel. Businesses outside of childcare are constantly innovating. Look at what’s working in other industries and think about how it could apply to your daycare.
5. Give Yourself Permission to Pivot
You’re not stuck. If you try something and it doesn’t work, adjust and try again. The key is to keep moving forward, not to stay frozen in “the way it’s always been.”
[FREE DOWNLOAD] Here Are The 10 Must-Have Daycare Templates
Using This Mindset to Grow Your Daycare
Once you embrace the idea of being open to change, you can start thinking about how to use this mindset to grow your business. Here are some ways to apply this to your daycare:
Offer Services That Better Serve Your Community
The needs of parents are always changing. Maybe you used to only offer full-time care, but there’s now a demand for drop-in care or part-time spots. Maybe parents in your area are struggling with flexible work schedules, and offering extended hours could make you stand out.
Explore Different Business Models
Family childcare homes are adapting in so many ways. Some providers are shifting to more niche programs, like nature-based learning, Montessori-inspired care, or after-school programs. Others are transitioning into micro-centers. If what you’re doing isn’t working as well as it used to, maybe it’s time to explore a different approach.
Find New Ways to Market Your Daycare
If you’re still relying only on word-of-mouth, you might be missing families who are searching online. Maybe it’s time to update your website, try social media, or even test a new referral program. The more you experiment, the more you’ll find what works.
BTW: The training I was teaching “Winning the Walkthrough: What Parent’s Are Really Looking For”, is will be AVAILABLE in the Rise & Thrive Club in March 2025.
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The Bottom Line: Growth Comes from Being Open
The best thing you can do for yourself and your daycare business is to stay open to new ideas. It doesn’t mean you have to change everything overnight. It just means allowing yourself the possibility that something better might be out there.
By embracing change, we don’t just keep our businesses thriving—we also keep learning, growing, and finding new ways to make our work more fulfilling. And honestly, isn’t that what it’s all about?
So, here’s your challenge: Try something different. Just one thing. Whether it’s a new routine, a new service, or even just a new way of thinking. You might be surprised at how much better things can get when you’re open to the possibilities.
Your daycare—and your future self—will thank you for it!
