child start march april 2012 newsletter

8/3/2019 Child Start March April 2012 Newsletter

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/child-start-march-april-2012-newsletter 1/6

A publication for Child Care Professionals

MARKETING

Child Care Aware®

March/April 2012

NEWS

By Tom C opeland

You can use your Facebook page asa tool to help spread the word aboutyour business.

Identify yourself as a family childcare provider in your “Prole” and

under theheading“AboutYou.” Listwhatever

openings you have now or willhave in the future. Post youremail address under “ContactInformation.”

Inform your current families about

what is happening in your program

on a daily basis by posting notesabout children’s activities, arts

and craft projects, meals, new

equipment, and so on. Describe

daily learning activities with a

photo or short note. This is a

good way to continually educate

parents about the benets of your

program.

Look for other family child careproviders on Facebook to see howthey present themselves.

Privacy/confdentiality issuesFacebook is a wonderfulcommunications tool, but it canalso be misused. Be careful not topost pictures or comments that willoffend parents and other visitors.You can limit who has access to yourprole, pictures, and comments byusing the various privacy settings.Use your common sense beforesharing on Facebook.

Posting pictures on Facebook is

ubiquitous. Once photos are sharedwith the public on the Internet theycan remain there for anyone tosee forever. Therefore, think aheadbefore sharing photos of yourself,your family, and in particular, of thechildren in your care. Getting writtenparent permission that specicallymentions photos of the children willbe posted on Facebook is essential.

For more marketing ideas, seewww.tomcopelandblog.com .

Inform your current familiesabout what is happening in your program on a daily basis...

Use Facebook to Promote Your Business

Child Care Aware® o South Central Kansasa Program of Child Start, Inc.Wichita682-3962 or Toll free 800-684-3962www.childstart.org

Counties Served: Butler, Cowley, Harper, Harvey,

Kingman, Marion, McPherson, Reno, Rice,

Sedgwick and Sumner

Staf DirectoryCHERYL DUNNProgram Director, CCR&R

MARILEE HANEY Senior Manager, Resource Services

CLAIRISSA MADDY Senior Manager, Call Center

MARCY CONESenior Manager, Early Childhood

POLLY BANKSInfant/Toddler Specialist

KIMBERLY GARCIAInfant/Toddler Specialist

TANYA HUSSLEMANInfant/Toddler Specialist

AMBER IVESInfant Recruitment Specialist

JACQUETTE THOMPSONProfessional Development Specialist

SIOPHI SHEPHERDScheduling Specialist

LYNDA DEMELCall Center Counselor

LORENA ENGLANDCall Center Counselor

SHIRLEY LEWISCall Center Counselor

JACKIE TANNERKQRIS Coach

MELISSA BUCHEData Specialist

AMITAI DELGADOProgram Management Specialist

Mark your calendar for the

Growing With Children ConferenceMarch 3rd in Wichita!



Reprinted with permission from www.rstchildrensnance.org

Many family child care providers think that marketing

is just advertising. They assume that if they are doingadvertising, they know all about marketing. Marketing,

however, is muchmore than advertising.Marketing is aboutstrategically positioningthe family provider inthe marketplace.

Marketing is part science and part art. Two child careproviders located in the same geographic area may havevery different marketing strategies. In fact, a familyprovider wants her business to be different to create a

“unique market niche.”The purpose of creating a unique market niche is tomake the family child care home stand apart from thecompetition. Customers will view the home as offeringmore perceived added value than competitors and theyprefer to purchase child care where they get more value.

Often that perceived added value may only exist inthe mind of the customer. It can be a real differencein quality child care or it can be just the feeling thecustomer has that the way the family child care homepresents itself and provides service is different andbetter.

A marketing plan is a written document that detailsthe actions needed to achieve one or more objectives.When it is part of the overall business plan, it is one ofthe most important sections and the one in which youshould spend the most time and energy. Visitwww.

rstchildrensnance.org to nd the resources you needto start drafting your family child care home’s marketingplan. (Center-based resources also available.)

When the shoe fts...By Julie Hess, Director of Marketing and Communication

Child Care Aware® of Kansas

In the eld of early education, Child Care Aware® of Kansas strives to ensure high-quality child careis available to all Kansas children. But does that

mean that all programs shouldlook the same? Absolutelynot! Each family, whetherconsciously or not, is looking

for specic features in the care they choose for theirchildren. These qualities range from small groupsettings to high-energy environments, from home-like atmospheres to programs that offer plenty ofscheduled outings and trips.

Implementing a well-designed marketing plan canposition your business in the child care market in yourarea. It can keep your program full, build a reputationfor future placements, and ensure that thoserelationships are the best t possible for the child, theparent, AND YOU!

Know your strengthsIt goes without saying, every program has uniquequalities, but do you really know what your programstrengths are? Are you using these differences toset yourself apart from others? It is not only the costof the care that is important, but the value of thecare provided that will make the difference when aparent is looking for child care. Your unique programqualities are valuable assets to those who are lookingfor them specically , be sure to market them well so

that parents know why your program is the betterchoice for them.

Create a marketing planMarketing is not only about getting your nameand services out there, it’s about meeting theexpectations of the consumer... and even surpassingit. When a child care program can meet all of theneeds and expectations of the parent, a positive, long-lasting relationship is sure to follow.

Your marketing plan can be as basic or elaborate asyou choose to make it. Simply put, it is a written list

of business goals, and the steps you are going to taketo meet them. Look through this issue ofChild Care

Aware® News for resources that can help you build amarketing plan that ts your program needs.

And remember, the qualities that one parent islooking for in child care may not be as important toanother parent, but that doesn’t mean they are anyless valuable. Put your program strengths front andcenter in your marketing efforts so parents can moreeasily nd the care they are looking for. The rightt of child, parent, and provider will create the bestoutcomes for everyone.

Join today and help make a dierence!Join the nationwide call-to-action that empowers child

care providers, like you, to make positive health changes

in children, early on, that could last a lifetime.

Signing up and participating areFREE . Best of all,you can work at your own pace. Visit http://www.healthykidshealthyfuture.org to learn more.

Developing a MarketingPlan or Your FamilyChild Care Business

OVERVIEW



Reprinted with permission from

www.rstchildrensnance.org

If you don’t have the time orresources to write a full blown

marketing plan,use this quickchecklist tomake sure you

are covering the most importantmarketing tasks.

■ Your mission and vision arerelevant and known by all staff.■ You visit other centers to comparehow you are doing and to get newideas at least twice a year.■ You review your center’s benets

twice a year to make sure they arestill relevant.

■ You complete an annual SWOTanalysis.

■ You train all staff regularly on howto answer the phone and greetprospective parents.■ You keep your key benets nearthe phone and make sure staffknows what they are.■ You register with your local ChildCare Resource & Referral Agency.■ You review your brochures andother communications material atleast once a year to make sure theyare consistent with your image,updated, and in good condition.■

You inspect your center regularlyto make sure it is well maintained.

The Family Child CareMarketing GuideBy Tom Copeland(Paperback) ISBN 10: 1884834752 / ISBN13: 9781884834752

This book will teach you the basicsof marketing and help you maximizeenrollment and income for yourbusiness. With dozens of tips andinexpensive ways to promote yourfamily childcare business,you will learnhow to marketyour high-quality programso parentswill want topurchase yourservices. Learn

how to promoteyour programto parents byidentifying andcommunicating yourprogram’s benets. Includes chapterson using social media, setting rates,and competing with child care centersand informal caregivers.

The Ultimate Child CareMarketing Guide: Tactics,Tools, and Strategies or

SuccessBy Kris Murray(Paperback) ISBN1605540838

Built aroundthe four pillarsof marketing—metrics, market,message, andmedia—thiscomprehensiveresource is lledwith guidance andadvice from an

experienced childcare business coach and marketingconsultant. The Ultimate Child Care

Marketing Guide helps child carecenter directors and family childcare owners manage and grow theirchild care business, nd and retainthe best customers, and keep theirprogram fully enrolled. Filled withtools, exercises, and case studies,this resource will help early childhoodprofessionals create a marketing plan,analyze strategies, improve customerand staff retention, and more.

BESTPRACTICEIN ACTION

BOOK NOOKThe Busy Director’s

Quick Marketing Checklist

A Dozen Low-Cost Marketing TipsReprinted with permission from www.rstchildrensnance.org

Here are a dozen easy ways to build and maintain enrollment.

1. Become listed on your local Child Care Resource and Referral Agency’sreferral service. Update your information regularly. Make sure theinformation is complete and reects the benets of your program.

2. Select a name for your business that ts with your child care image andphilosophy and register the name with your state.

3. Print up a box of business cards with your name, your businessname,address,and telephone number. Hand these out to friends,relatives, and others.

4. Create and print a one-page yer about your business that describesthree or four things that are unique or special about your child careprogram. Distribute these at local businesses, churches, nonprotorganizations, community bulletin boards, and schools.

5. Put an attractive sign in front of your home or center with your businessname and telephone number.

6. Place a small classied ad in your local community or neighborhoodnewspaper.

7. Record a professional yet friendly greeting on your voicemail thatidenties your business.

8. Make sure each person who will answer the phone is trained to answer ina courteous and businesslike manner. Keep Parent Call Tracking Formsand pens or pencils next to the phone. Teach each person on how tohandle all inquiry calls from parents.

9. Always try to schedule an interview with parents who call about yourprogram. Follow up interviews with a thank you card.

10. Offer a nder’s fee to anyone who refers a parent to you who enrolls andstays at least two to three months.

11. Create an inviting and safe rst impression. Make sure your home orchild care facility is clean, attractive and well maintained. Make sure yourplayground equipment is in good condition.

12. Keep track of how your new parents nd you. Put more of your marketingefforts into what’s working.



Child Start1002 S. OliverWichita, KS 67218316-682-1853800-684-3962www.childstart.org March/April 2

Child Start’s Child Care Aware Ca

Center advertises your business

to thousands of parents that cal

and visit us online... for FREE!

Take full advantage of this

services by making sure your

information is up to date!

Call 1-800-684-3962 or visit

www.childstart.org

Please return

your profiles!

3 12

Wichita, KS

Save the date!

Child Care Aware of South Central Kan

We have moved! Ok, to be honest, I am typing this while sitting in a dizzying array of boxes in preparation for t

move… but I’m writing for the future! February 6th is the first official day at our new office. We are still located

Parklane Shopping Center, but we have migrated north this winter to a much better space!

For those of you that have attended our trainings lately, we apologize for the shuffling around during the

transition. By the time you are reading this, we will have our beautiful new conference rooms and will be allow

all participants to enter right next to the rooms. These are located downstairs on the side that faces Glendale.

When visiting our location during the day hours between 8:00am-5:00pm, visitors will be welcomed on the uplevel that faces Oliver.

All of this may sound pretty confusing. We have a solution: You are invited to attend our Open House on

Wednesday, March 28th 4:00–5:00 pm. This open house will allow to you to come in and check out our new

facility, learn more about what we do, and interact with Child Start staff. We hope to see you there!

Child Start has Moved!



Professional Development Events

March 2012

April 2012 workshops will be listed in the newest CRIB Notesset to come out in March!

ve The Date - Growing With Children 2011!

Date Time Session Title County

3/3 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM Adult, Child & Infant CPR/Choking, First Aid & Safety Sedgwick

3/5 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM Child Abuse Recognition & Reporting/Signs & Symptoms Sedgwick

3/8 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM Basic Knowledge Curriculum: Professionalism Sedgwick

3/10 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM Basic Knowledge Curriculum: Routines: Sleeping,

Hand washing and Diapering Sedgwick 3/12 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM Basic Knowledge Curriculum: Program Planning:

Discover, Create and Explore McPherson

3/13 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM Money Matters: Make Every Dollar Count in Business Harvey

3/13 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM Pediatric First Aid Introduction And Refresher Sedgwick

3/13 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM Basic Knowledge Curriculum: Guiding

Children - Interactions Marion

3/15 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM Creative Curriculum Preschool: Sand and Water Cowley


3/19 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM Child Abuse Recognition & Reporting/Signs & Symptoms Sedgwick

3/20 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM Cavity Free Kids: Oral Health For Children in Child Care Reno

3/22 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM Safe Slumber: Creating a Safe Sleep & Play Environment Harper3/22 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM How to Act With Acting Out Kids Sedgwick

3/24 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Second Helping - Module 3 The Family Sedgwick

3/24 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM Basic Knowledge Curriculum: Routines: Creating Daily

Routines Butler

3/26 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM Sand, Water, Slime, Dough Kingman

3/27 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM Creative Classrooms Reno

3/27 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM Pediatric First Aid Introduction And Refresher Sedgwick


MembershipProfessionalFind more informaton at:

hp://www.childstart.org/Outreach/membership.html

Save up to 50% off Child Start trainings!

child start march april 2012 newsletter

Documents