Non Profit Daycare Board Of Directors? 102 Most Correct Answers

How to Buy a Daycare We take a look at the profitable and rewarding childcare sector in Canada

Currently, there is a shortage of child care services in Canada as more families rely on day care services as female employment rates increase. Now is a perfect time for entrepreneurs to buy a nursery, but it’s certainly not a business for the faint of heart.

Please investigate

There are more than 39,000 day care centers in Canada, including around 4,000 in Quebec; 2,085 in Ontario; and 1,305 in British Columbia. Total sales can range from $30,000 to $5,000,000 with average sales of around $168,200.

Many daycare centers are profitable, with more than 93% of SMEs running a lucrative childcare business.

While this is a lucrative business, you should have other reasons for wanting to work in the industry such as: B. the desire to educate and care for children and young children.

It is important to know what competition there is in the area, pay attention to other kindergartens and find out what services they offer.

Before purchasing a nursery, make sure there is a demand in the area and research local demographic and family trends.

You should also determine what type of child care business you want to run. The size of the company determines how many children you can take care of. You should have an idea of ​​what age groups you want to cater to; how many hours are you willing to work each day; Do you have the facilities to look after children with special needs?

industry regulations

Finding out what licenses and regulations apply to your business is important. every state will have

their own policies and permitting requirements at the federal, provincial, and local levels.

There are some common licenses, permits, and regulations for starting a day care service that apply to all day care settings, including home based work. All childcare entrepreneurs require a license if they are caring for more than two children under the age of two, including your own children.

Business owners also need a license if they are caring for more than five children over the age of two, including your own children under the age of six. It is also important that childcare workers meet the health, safety and education standards for caregivers for each province.

The Department of Education and the Childcare Quality Assurance and Licensing Department will have regional offices that entrepreneurs can contact to ensure they meet all the correct licensing requirements before starting a daycare business.

Franchise vs. Independent Business

When considering which child care business to buy, you should first decide whether you want to go the franchise route or buy an independent business. Each option has pros and cons that all entrepreneurs should seriously consider before making a decision.

If you choose to purchase a franchise, you can operate under a recognized brand that has a proven track record, reducing risk and initial investment costs. Reputation is key to encouraging new parents to use your childcare services, and owning a franchise means people know what level of care to expect from your business. If customers already know the brand, gaining their trust can be easier.

However, when operating as a franchisee, you must follow the infrastructure and procedures put in place by the parent company, which can limit the more creative entrepreneur. You have less control over the services you provide in your nursery business, and franchisees also have to pay a percentage of their total earnings to the parent company.

Operating as an independent company gives entrepreneurs full freedom and control to set their own rules and services. However, you should ensure that these meet educational and childcare standards set by industry regulators.

There may be more risk involved in buying an independent business, but you don’t have to pay any fees or royalties when running your business.

If you’re looking to buy a company, you should check the latest numbers and financials for the last three years to find out how the company is doing.

You should also research what the nursery’s reputation is in the area if the business has run down, and then be prepared to spend money on rebranding and remarketing their business once you’ve taken it over.

Financial support

How do you intend to buy your nursery business; Do you have the funds to buy the company outright? Or are you using money from the sale of another asset to fund your new business venture?

For those entrepreneurs who do not have the full capital to buy a business, there are government funding options that you may be eligible for. However, it is important to note that there are not many grants or programs specifically for people in the childcare sector.

Contact your local admissions office or the Small Business Association (SBA) for more detailed information on how best to fund your business opportunity. There may also be initiatives by local women’s organizations to help women entrepreneurs, or Aboriginal business development programs for entrepreneurs with Canadian Aboriginal heritage.

For entrepreneurs who do not qualify for these government initiatives, some states offer special loan programs designed to help children’s careers gain immediate access to funds at an affordable rate, such as: B. the Cascadia Child Care Fund in Washington and Oregon.

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Unless you have young children, you probably don’t think much about the childcare business. Despite the presence of some national and regional chains, childcare is mostly a cottage industry that goes about its business quietly – except when the children are playing outside. The typical daycare center is an independently run neighborhood center with 20 to 30 children or a private home, distinguished from its neighbors only by all the play equipment in the back.

Nonetheless, childcare plays an important role in the economy because without it, many parents of young children or preschool children would not be able to go to work. In South Dakota, according to the U.S. Census Bureau finds four out of five mothers with children under the age of six are employed. As a result, the licensed childcare industry in the ninth precinct is quite large; A 2003 study in Minnesota estimated that child care revenues exceeded clothing stores.

And despite its gentle, finger-painted and smiley image, childcare is a tough business, tightly regulated and with high costs that the modest incomes of parents with young children make it difficult to cover. Infant care at a daycare center can cost as much as college tuition.

Parents are sensitive to increases in child care prices, observes Tim Moore, a North Dakota state economic development official. Care, or do I not work and stay at home?'”

Like pizzerias and computer repair shops, day care centers open and close frequently, and low average wages in the industry contribute to high staff turnover.

The past few years have been particularly challenging for the industry. The Great Recession and, in some states, cuts in government subsidies for low-income families have made it difficult for daycare providers to compete. In many district communities, vacancy rates in childcare have risen, prices have stalled and more providers than usual have shut down operations.

Honey, can you bring the kids over?

The parents’ economic performance would be lost if their children were not looked after during working hours. According to the Census Bureau, demand for childcare is greater in the district than in the country as a whole. Compared to the national average, the district states have a high proportion of employed children under the age of 6 with parents (see chart 1). South Dakota leads the nation for the proportion of children with both parents working, and Minnesota ranks second nationally for the proportion of children with a single working parent.

In the last 15 years, childcare has increasingly taken on a different, supportive role to childcare – preparing children for school entry. Some state governments and private organizations have pushed to improve the learning environment in childcare settings (see “Quest for quality”).

The day care industry exists to meet these parental and societal needs. Informal childcare—children supervised by family members, friends, or neighbors—represents at least half of the total childcare capacity in the district and nationwide. That still leaves a sizeable formal or licensed industry – the focus of this article.

Nationally, day care centers that care for children under the age of 5 are estimated to have revenues of US$50 billion – about a third of 1 percent of GDP – and one in 100 workers makes a living looking after children.

According to various studies, childcare has roughly the same proportional economic impact across county states. A 2003 analysis put childcare revenue in Minnesota at $1.1 billion in today’s dollars – more than sales of men’s and women’s clothing. Day care centers in North Dakota employed 6,000 people in 2002, about as many as registered nurses in the state.

Government regulations and average household income have a strong impact on the type, quality and price of childcare in a given community. So does consumer preference, notes Jamie Palagi, director of the Office of Early Childhood Services for the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services. “Not all families want the same thing,” she said.

Approved child care facilities fall into two broad classes: family children’s homes and child care centers. Typically, day care center operators look after about a dozen children in their own homes. Some of the children may be their own or the children of family members. Day care centers tend to serve larger numbers of children in larger settings and put more emphasis on school readiness (although some family homes also offer such classes).

There are more child care family homes than centers in every county state, according to data compiled by state Child Care Resource & Referral Agencies (CCR&Rs), support organizations for childcare workers and parents. For example, only about 10 percent of North Dakota’s 1,370 licensed child care facilities are centers. Centers are particularly scarce in rural areas, where the population is thin and average incomes are lower than in cities.

State health and safety regulations, frequency of inspections, provider-to-child ratio, and required staff training vary from state to state. In general, facilities must meet stricter standards than family children’s homes.

Child care centers in North Dakota, Minnesota, and Wisconsin are among the most regulated in the country (see Table 1), and this level of oversight extends to family children’s homes. In Minnesota, any provider who cares for at least two children must be licensed; In contrast, South Dakota does not license its family children’s homes.

We’re starting at a higher point in our licensing compared to at least some states,” said Ann McCully, executive director of Minnesota’s CCR&R, a nonprofit organization funded in part by the state Department of Human Services (DHS).

Many helping hands

Most daycare operators don’t make much money; Industry margins are razor thin – typically less than 1 percent. Childcare costs are high, and many parents with young children struggle to pay for the service.

High costs result in large part from the labor intensity of childcare—all the hands and minds it takes to look after young children. It is estimated that labor costs in day-care centers account for between 60 and over 70 percent of total expenditure.

State regulations prescribe maximum provider-child ratios for childcare facilities. In several county states, including Montana and North Dakota, daycare centers are required to employ at least one childcare worker for every four infants enrolled. Higher ratios are allowed for older children – North Dakota specifies a 7:1 ratio for children ages 3 to 4 in large family children’s homes.

A high staffing level can be a matter of choice as well as of the legislature. Some day care centers accredited by industry organizations adhere to provider-to-child ratios that are even lower than those required for licensing in most states.

To cover workers’ salaries and benefits, as well as other expenses such as rent, food, and teaching materials, childcare providers charge fees that are equivalent to tuition fees at public universities (see Table 2). According to a report by the National Association of Child Care Resource & Referral Agencies, the average annual fee for infant care at a center in 2009 ranged from about $7,100 in North Dakota to $13,650 in Minnesota.

Prices were, on average, lower in family children’s homes, which tend to have lower overheads and regulatory burdens than centers. And at both facilities, fees for 4-year-olds are about 7 to 15 percent lower than for toddlers (preschool-aged children require less hands-on care).

Differences between states arise primarily from regional economic factors such as rents, wages, and demand for child care, although regulations also affect prices. In cities and suburbs, where rents, wages and household incomes are higher, day care tends to be more expensive than in the countryside. In Minnesota, centers are concentrated in the Twin Cities metropolitan area — which may explain the relatively high cost of center care across the state.

Oh, don’t forget the mortgage

Paying the childcare bill can be a problem for parents. On average, young adults — who are more likely to have preschool children — earn less than those further down in their careers, and they may have to pay off student loans.

Annual childcare fees in excess of $10,000 “can be daunting for a young family with both parents in their 20s and fresh out of college — it can be a bigger expense than your mortgage,” said Chad Dunkley, CEO of New Horizon Academy. a company that operates over 40 child care centers in Minnesota.

Low-income parents are eligible for childcare assistance grants, which are provided by the federal government and adjusted by most states at varying levels based on average federal income. State governments can also designate federal funds for Temporary Assistance to Families in Need to help poor families fund child care.

A significant portion of daycare revenue comes from government grants, although the proportion varies by state and locality. In Minnesota, according to a 2006 financial study by the state DHS, 23 percent of average daycare revenue came from childcare support. 14 percent of the facilities generated more than half of their income from childcare.

However, child care grant programs only reach a minority of qualified low-income families, mainly due to lack of funds; The US Department of Health and Human Services estimates that child care spending in 2006 was sufficient to cover only 17 percent of eligible families nationwide.

A number of sources said many daycare centers, particularly those in low-income areas, are reluctant to raise fees for fear of losing customers. Therefore, the bottom line is caught between the rock of high costs and the hard seat of tight family budgets. The Minnesota DHS study found that, on average, daycare centers in the Twin Cities made a slight profit while those outside the metropolitan area operated at a loss.

At the national level and in the county states, childcare workers make much less than the average worker. In 2009, the median annual wage for child care workers in Montana was $16,000, according to federal labor statistics. That’s about half the average annual wage for all industries in the state. Day care workers in Wisconsin were the highest-paid in the district — but made less than $20,000 a year on average.

“As a market, as an industry, we’re not at the point where profit margin allows you to [pay higher wages],” McCully said. Low wages contribute to high staff turnover in the industry – industry studies show that day care worker turnover rates range from 30 to 40 percent annually.

Elusive profits also contribute to too much revenue or churn from the day care providers themselves, although facilities come and go for other reasons — for example, mothers may open home day care services when their own children are young and then close them when their own children are small children reach school age. In North Dakota, 17 percent of in-home childcare programs close annually to be replaced by a similar proportion of new operations, according to North Dakota CCR&R.

no more child

Daycare providers may serve the young, but the industry is mature in terms of its growth. The nation and most county states (North Dakota being the exception) have seen only modest increases in childcare firms and employment over the past decade (see Charts 2 and 3). In Montana, the number of child care facilities declined between 2001 and 2009. Childcare employment grew at a slightly faster rate in most county states.

This data from the U.S. The Bureau of Labor Statistics likely overstates growth in the child care industry because they only count facilities with paid staff — mostly child care centers. Other data collected by state CCR&Rs shows that care provided by family children’s homes is increasing at a slower rate and has been declining in some county states over the past 10 years.

Demographics partially explain the industry’s overall measured growth. After steadily increasing for half a century, the proportion of women in the United States stagnated in the mid-1990s and remained at around 60 percent.

This change, combined with lower birth rates in many states, has slowed growth in the number of children requiring formal day care. Between 2000 and 2009, the number of working children with either two parents or a single parent grew less than 1.5 percent annually in all county states except South Dakota, according to the Census Bureau.

But the childcare industry has also felt the effects of the last recession and a decade-long decline in government subsidies for childcare.

The Great Recession reduced demand for child care; Parents who lost their jobs or saw their real income shrink, withdrew their children from licensed daycare or reduced their hours of care. Minnesota’s CCR&R data clearly show signs of recession. As the unemployment rate rose, so did the average vacancy rate in licensed childcare facilities (see Chart 4). The downturn also had an impact on key interest rates. Prices rose on average between 2003 and 2007 and then fell as the recession tightened its grip.

However, the recession had little impact on North Dakota’s childcare industry, which has seen steady growth in daycare and childcare employment due to strong farm prices and an oil boom in the Williston Basin. State officials would like to see even faster growth in formal child care to support the expansion of the workforce.

Many parents, including newcomers to the state who can’t turn to relatives or neighbors, are having trouble finding a licensed daycare, said Moore, U.S. Senator Kent Conrad’s state director for economic development. Community leaders have told Moore that “this is a statewide problem that we’re not seeing enough childcare workers and not enough quality childcare workers.”

Reduced childcare benefits threaten the livelihoods of childminders in areas with high proportions of low-income families. Even before the recession, childcare allowances were falling. After a spike in the early 2000s, inflation-adjusted subsidy spending declined nationally and in every county state, according to an analysis by the Center for Law and Social Policy, a Washington, D.C. resident advocate for the poor (see Figure 5).

In response to the fiscal fallout from the 2001-02 recession, some states reduced support for social programs. In 2003, the Minnesota legislature lowered the income ceiling for child care, increased co-payments, and froze provider reimbursement rates.

Erosion of subsidies combines with the recession to create a “perfect storm” for the daycare industry, McCully said. Noting that the state has lost about 2,000 family daycare centers over the past eight years, she said many daycare centers in low-income areas are beginning to be pushed to the wall by the cuts.

When walking is difficult…

The financial pressures parents and state governments face in a still-struggling economy has made a tough deal even harder. Many daycare providers will continue to struggle with high operating costs and limited funding for childcare.

But childcare workers are resilient, and working parents always need someone to look after and tutor their children during the day. As the district economy recovers, demand for formal childcare should increase as unemployment falls and household incomes rise.

There is anecdotal evidence that such a recovery is already underway. In the small town of Victor, Montana, a daycare center that serves about a dozen children in a converted garage planned to open a new facility for up to 50 children this fall.

And in Minnesota, enrollment at New Horizon daycares has risen after falling sharply during the recession. This past fall and winter was “one of our strongest signup periods in many years,” Dunkley said. As of March, 150 more children were enrolled in New Horizon facilities nationwide than they were before the 2007 recession.

– Phil Davies and Rob Grunewald

The past few years have seen many changes in the childcare industry, many of them due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Many daycare centers have had to fundamentally change the way they operate in order to provide the safest possible environment while still providing the fun and learning experiences that make childcare so important. Trends in the childcare industry are constantly evolving and it is important to stay up to date.

We turn our thoughts to what is to come in 2022. It promises to be an exciting year with growth forecast for the entire childcare industry. If you run a childcare business or are considering what to expect when starting a business in the future, here are five key childcare industry trends for 2022 you need to know.

1. Increase in demand for child care services

Parents from all over the world are still experiencing changes in their working hours and employment conditions. And while many companies are encouraging their employees to come back to the office, many parents continue to work from home. Whatever the situation of a family, the demand for childcare is increasing.

As of 2020, nearly 20% of working adults have left their jobs because they could not find a viable childcare option amid work and school closures. The demand for babysitters, tutors, nannies and visiting teachers was more than ever. Many public daycares have seen devastating business losses despite the need for childcare services, with the COVID-19 pandemic being the main driver.

But now that our economy is opening up further and more parents are going back to work, the centers are seeing high demand. The Build Back Better Bill may give eligible families an opportunity to receive more affordable, quality child care. This law plans to provide childcare to nearly 20 million children in the United States while creating even more jobs for new and aspiring childcare professionals. If it survives, it will be a huge boost for the child care industry. This is one of the most important key trends in the childcare industry and points to a bright future.

Is your daycare ready for this increasing demand? With the right approach, 2022 could be a great time to run a daycare, with lots of new enrollments and all sorts of opportunities to grow your business.

Would you like to find out more? Read this article: 7 tips for a successful day-to-day business

2. Focus on flexibility

Flexibility will be key for childcare facilities in 2022. So much has changed in the past few years and with government policies, childcare best practices and further developments, it is crucial that childcare providers remain flexible.

Social and safety routines are not what they used to be as social distancing practices must be observed at gatherings. Daycare centers are developing new and creative ways to engage young children in activities without risking risks of illness, and instruct classrooms to interact in ways that promote safety.

Another way public daycares are staying flexible is by giving parents more clemency than they have in recent years. Consider giving families more flexible options, like the ability to schedule childcare three days a week instead of five. It’s a challenging time as everyone is doing their best to maintain their schedules and livelihoods, but if you can provide the level of flexibility parents demand, you will develop a high level of loyalty to the families you work with .

To continue to operate a child care center effectively in 2022, centers across the US will also need to stay current with changing health advice from the CDC regarding children. Regulations are always changing and it is important that you comply with them to ensure you create a safe environment for families.

3. Technological advances inside and outside the classroom

The use of technology in the classroom will evolve throughout 2022. The use of online communication, cloud document storage and digital tools is no longer limited to higher-level learners: they are increasingly being taken over by daycares. Technological platforms can help students and early childhood education (ECE) teachers alike.

In addition to changes in the physical childcare environment, advances are also being made in the online classroom. Some day care centers now enable hybrid care, where children can continue learning at home with their caregivers via Zoom. Online activities are used in addition to hands-on learning, and interactive lessons help to fill development gaps.

Kids aren’t the only ones benefiting from technology – parents are increasingly expecting more consistent communication between teachers and staff thanks to parent communication apps. Instead of brief interactions when picking up the child, parents can receive direct videos, online messages and notification reminders about their child’s activity at the daycare.

4. Analytics in learning assessments in early childhood education

Digital tools are not the only technological development contributing to the upcoming trends in childcare – the use of data and analytics is also playing an increasing role. Leveraging online platforms dedicated to daycare, teachers and directors can gain useful insights that help improve the learning experience.

Daycare management apps can log each child’s development and learning progress, making it easier for teachers to communicate with each other. Online documents from the entire learning year are helpful for a learning assessment. In addition, teachers can provide parents with detailed progress reports, supported by daily observations of their children’s development.

Comparing a child’s progress against the established learning and assessment framework for your region can help teachers track each child’s development. Center-wide data can uncover pain points and shed light on how teachers can adjust lesson plans to fill gaps and ensure a quality learning experience.

5. Health and Safety Regulations

In accordance with health regulations, parents and teachers limit direct contact with each other in many circumstances to prevent the spread of COVID and other diseases. New options such as contactless check-in and check-out can be carried out simply by pressing a button. Daily health requirements like temperature checks and student health questionnaires are another way to catch problems early.

Teachers now have another safety protocol to tick off their do-to-list: disinfecting the classroom. The CDC recommends cleaning and disinfecting surfaces, eating areas, play areas, and surfaces at least once a day.

Parents play an essential role in the health and safety not only of their child but also of others in the childcare setting. It’s important to stay honest about any symptoms your child or household members may be having.

With online parent surveys available at check-in, child care staff can keep in touch with a parent when warning signs arise. This is an excellent way to take precautions in case anyone at the facility contracts the COVID-19 virus.

How to Grow with Childcare Industry Trends 2022

It’s still possible to grow your childcare business during tough times. While many day care centers have experienced budget cuts and closures over the past two years, many are now well positioned for the next year and beyond. The trends in the child care industry that we will see this year are going in a positive direction.

One way to ensure your childcare business thrives in 2022 is to use a digital daycare management platform. Software like Daily Connect can help you find faster, more cost-effective solutions to your childcare business’s day-to-day problems.

From tracking children’s health to improving student assessment and communication between parents and teachers, Daily Connect is designed to help childcare professionals focus on what really matters: the children.

Organize and automate administrative tasks with the app so you can spend more time teaching and protecting your students. Whether you want to focus on being compliant or you simply need help providing the type of childcare your community needs, it’s time to adapt to the growing trends in technology.

Take the first step towards a successful 2022 and start today with Daily Connect.

If you’re thinking about starting a childcare business, you probably have a lot of questions. The most important is: “How do I attract parents and new families?”

It makes sense — you can’t really call yourself a nanny if you don’t have kids to look after. To be successful in this area, you must reach out to parents and convince them that you are the best day care option available.

In this article, we share 10 marketing tips to help you attract parents and other caregivers and grow your business.

1. Understand your worth

First things first: Take an honest look at your business.

What makes your daycare special? Do you offer something that other day care centers don’t offer? What do you want your childcare business to be known for in your community?

The answers to these questions represent the unique value you offer. You should use them in all your advertising and marketing efforts.

For example, your center may have committed to sending parents photos and videos of their children throughout the day—something other centers in your area don’t do.

What parent or guardian doesn’t want to look at their phone and see their child’s smiling face in the middle of a hard day’s work? By promoting that your daycare regularly sends photos and videos, you may be able to attract more customers.

Take a moment to brainstorm your center’s unique value. Then keep these things in mind when hosting an open house, posting on social media, or using any of the other tips below.

Free Daycare Application Form Templates Looking for printable childcare forms to use in your daycare, preschool, or similar child-centric business? Request your PDF copy of the application and registration form for free! Get your copy

2. Host an open house

Invite the community to your childcare center for free food, family games, and an up-close and personal look at the services you offer your customers.

Open houses are great marketing tools as they give parents and families the opportunity to experience your child care business first hand without making a serious commitment.

Just make sure you promote your open house before hosting it. Free food almost always attracts a lot of people, but parents still need to know about your event to benefit from it. You can ask your friends and family to spread the word, print and distribute flyers, place ads online, etc.

3. Invest in physical signs

Did you know billboards and outdoor advertising is a $6.5 billion industry (that’s billions with a “B”)? With the advent of social media and online marketing, you wouldn’t expect so many people to advertise with physical signs, but they do. Why? Because it works!

One billboard might be a little too much for your child care business. On the other hand, it might not be – your call. But every day care center can invest in business cards, flyers, lawn signs and snack boards.

Place your signs in strategic locations, anywhere your target customers are. This could be a bulletin board at your local pediatrician’s office. Or lawns in the general area around your center. Or the sidewalk at the corner of your street.

Note: Always get permission from the property owner before hanging your sign or flyer.

4. Create an SEO strategy

Where can you find restaurant reviews, a plumber to fix the sink, or the hours of operation for a new gym? The internet because it has ALL the ANSWERS.

Parents and carers also use the Internet to find childcare for their children. When your center’s website appears at the top of Google search results, you’ll attract more parents to your daycare.

The question is how to skip the thousands of other websites out there and claim Google’s top spot. You create an SEO strategy.

SEO is a BIG topic that we’ve already covered on the blog. But here are a few basics:

Keyword Research: Keywords are words and phrases that people type into search engines like Google. “Best daycare in [your city]” is an example. Add the keywords your customers are using to your website pages, blog posts, etc.

Keywords are words and phrases that people type into search engines like Google. “Best daycare in [your city]” is an example. Add the keywords your customers are using to your website pages, blog posts, etc. Great Content: Keywords alone are not enough. Google uses backlinks (when a third-party website links to yours) to determine how websites with similar keywords rank. Create great content that generates backlinks.

Keywords alone are not enough. Google uses backlinks (when a third-party website links to yours) to determine how websites with similar keywords rank. Create great content that generates backlinks. Google My Business: Don’t Forget Google My Business! This free tool allows childcare professionals to create Google listings that are easy to find and include physical location, hours of operation, email and phone number, images and more.

One of the best things about SEO is that it’s free. But be warned, it usually takes a significant amount of time to climb up the leaderboard and be successful with this strategy.

5. Get on social media

Sites like Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn are amazing business tools. They allow your childcare business to reach and build a relationship with their target audience for free.

The key to an effective social media presence is engagement.

Do not use these platforms as single-use notice boards. Interact with your followers by asking them questions and replying to their comments. We also recommend posting fun content like the artwork your kids are creating from time to time.

Pro tip: Never post a photo of the kids you care about on social media without first getting parental or guardian consent. This is a surefire way to lose customers.

6. Boost your online ratings

You probably wouldn’t try a new restaurant without reading reviews, would you? You want to make sure the food is good and the ambiance is right before committing.

The same applies to parents who are looking for childcare. You can bet they’ll read Google, Yelp, and Facebook reviews of your business before they let you interact with their kids.

That’s great because reviews are a great way to attract parents to your daycare!

The more positive reviews you get, the more trust famleis will place in your business. Google also uses reviews to determine its search engine rankings.

To get ratings, take care of the kids you are watching. Then ask happy parents to share their experiences on review sites. Many of them will be happy to help you.

7. Place paid advertising

You’re wondering, “How can I get parents on my childcare business fast?” Try running paid ads.

Platforms like Google, Bing, Facebook and Instagram enable childcare providers to target specific individuals (e.g. parents of young children), build brand awareness and attract new customers. Plus, you can get started with them for just a few dollars a day.

Paid advertising may seem daunting, but there are countless resources online that can help you. If you’re looking to get more customers now rather than later, this is definitely a strategy to consider.

8. Offer new customer offers

We all love a good deal. Attract parents to your daycare by offering a break in the first month of enrollment. A 10% discount might be just the push a parent needs to champion your services.

Of course, new customer deals aren’t the only ones you can offer. Time-limited promotions, sibling discounts and price reductions for long-term relationships are also available to you.

But tread carefully. You don’t want to offer discounts that cut into your profits so much that you devalue your services. You also want to avoid having to limit your offerings to allow for less cash flow — even if it’s just for a few months.

9. Encourage word of mouth

It’s the 21st century, but word of mouth still reigns supreme.

Connect with everyone you meet and tell them about your child care business. Ask your friends and family to spread the word, especially if they know parents with young children.

We suggest networking with other day-care centers as well. Who knows? If you develop a good relationship with them, they can send prospects to you when they reach their full capacity. You can always return the favor later.

10. Use a childcare app

Finally, consider using a childcare app to better manage your center.

While this type of tool won’t help you attract more parents to your daycare, it will help you retain more of the families you already have. Studies show that it costs 5x more to acquire new customers than it does to keep existing ones, so this is important.

Childcare apps are beneficial because they allow for streamlined check-in and check-out processes, easy parent engagement tools, easy billing software, and more — all things that make childcare easier for both providers and the parents who use them take care of, make comfortable.

When it comes to childcare apps, think Procare. Our all-in-one software is modern, easy to use and used by thousands of daycare centers across the country.

Request a free Procare demo today to see if it’s the right tool for your business.

Wrap up

The main question new childcare providers ask is, “How do I attract parents to my daycare?”

The 10 marketing ideas above will help! We recommend experimenting with a few of these, finding what works for you, and then doubling down on the strategy.

Marketing for your daycare business

It’s a bit difficult to run a day care center without children to look after. Childcare marketing can be frustrating and time-consuming, but it’s an important part of running a business. It can’t always be arts and crafts (no matter how much you’d like to admit it). Your competitors will probably advertise – and you should too. That’s why we’ve rounded up eight practical tips to help you inspire the daycare marketing ideas that could work for you.

1. Social media is your best friend

Social media has become a must for almost all daycares to attract new customers. Parents want to make sure they are leaving their children with someone they trust. Maintaining a strong online presence helps potential parents get an idea of ​​what services your daycare offers and a behind-the-scenes look at what happens when they drop off their children at your daycare. A good Facebook page gives you the opportunity to interact with parents by posting fun and engaging content. The posts don’t have to be too complex – here are a few ideas for daycare posts:

A post asking parents to comment on possible future activities at the daycare. Advertisement for a future event such as an open house

If you post something with the children in the photo, make sure you have parental permission to do so.

2. They never fail to network

If you thought your networking days were over now that you spend most of your day with toddlers, you were wrong. Socialize with parents in your neighborhood, other nearby childcare providers, or your local community center. You never know who is looking for your services.

Local Facebook groups are a great resource for finding potential clients and staying up to date with news and issues important to your community. Sharing relevant and helpful information with parents will help cement you as someone they can trust and therefore their children can trust. Be careful not to be too promotional as many groups will kick you out if you are just there to promote your business.

You should also consider creating a business card to give people at these impromptu networking opportunities.

3. Old school marketing still lives on

Remember your babysitting days, when all it took to find clients was a few flyers taped up in grocery stores, city halls, or other downtown areas — attracting clients can still be just as easy today. Don’t underestimate the benefits of beautifully designed posters and flyers. They can have a huge impact on your company’s brand awareness in your region.

If your area hosts large events such as fairs or festivals, consider setting up a booth to promote your services to parents. Bring your business cards and make sure you also have fun toys and prizes for the kids.

4. Don’t forget Google Reviews

Pay attention to online reviews of your daycare center. Google reviews are a great way to get feedback on your business while attracting new customers. Many people read reviews before visiting a business. By regularly checking the reviews parents leave, you’ll know what aspects of your business they like, don’t like, and what changes you should make.

Many childcare professionals fail to see the value of a well-established Google Business Profile. One of the great things about Google reviews is that the more reviews your business has, the higher Google ranks you when people search for your services. Try asking parents if they would mind leaving a short, positive review of your business on Google. It’s easy for them and helps your business gain authority on Google.

In order to receive these reviews, you must set up your Google My Business profile. There you can optimize your profile to make it easier for potential parents and clients to find you.

5. Put together a community open house

Never underestimate the power that free food has in getting people to come to an event. Host an informal get-together with parents and other members of your community where they have the opportunity to network, explore your space, and ask you questions. Parents need to feel reassured that they are leaving their children in a safe place – making sure they are comfortable is a big part of their decision to enroll in your daycare.

6. Experiment with paid ads

Paid ads on Google and Bing, as well as social platforms like Facebook and Instagram, have an uncanny ability to engage potential customers, build brand awareness, and grow your customer base. It might seem daunting to start running ads online, but the platforms have made it easier than ever to get started.

The best part is that you don’t have to have a huge budget to start seeing paid ads payout. You can invest just a few dollars each day and still bring more customers and more traffic to your website. Ad options will depend on which search engines or social platforms you’ll be focusing on, but this guide is a good place to start when figuring out your social ad strategy.

7. Start a parent referral program

Word of mouth recommendations carry a lot of weight in parenting. When someone you trust feels comfortable enough to recommend a service, go into the experience with confidence already built. Let the parents know they’ll get a reward if they help attract another customer.

The reward could be anything you think would resonate with your customers. Some possible referral rewards could be a discount on your daycare rate, an Amazon gift card, or gift cards to a local restaurant. Plus, no parent will say no to cash either.

8. Invest in a parent-friendly management platform

Although you will most likely spend the majority of your time with children, remember that your main customers are their parents. Keeping them happy with your business operations will ensure they remain customers and increase the likelihood that they will refer other potential customers. Childcare software like Smartcare provides parents with an easy-to-use app that they can use to manage payments and ensure their child is safe while they’re away. This reassurance for parents will give them an excellent view of your daycare and will become a selling point for future customers.

9. Bonus Tip – Access the free eBook, Daycare Advertising and Marketing

The Daycare Advertising & Marketing eBook is a comprehensive guide that tells you everything you need to know to promote your daycare, including…

How to advertise a daycare center for free.

Where to Promote Daycare for Instant Rewards?

How to master traditional daycare advertising channels.

How to advertise with events for the day care center.

Tips on paying someone to manage daycare advertising.

Here’s how to track your childcare marketing campaigns for free.

This gives you more time to advertise your day care center.

[activecampaign form=27]

The City of Toronto announced that on Thursday it will begin an opt-in process for licensed daycare operators wishing to participate in the $10-a-day childcare program recently announced by the Ontario and federal governments.

As part of Canada’s Early Learning and Child Care grant program, the province has committed to providing an average of $10 per day of child care to eligible children by September 2025.

“The City of Toronto supports all efforts to keep childcare fees affordable for families, and we are proud to work with the federal and provincial governments to help make licensed childcare accessible to families in this city,” said Mayor John Tory in a press release on Wednesday.

The deadline for childcare workers to participate in the program is Thursday, September 1, the city said in the release. Once a childcare program has been applied for and approved, eligible families can expect refunds for childcare fees retroactive to April 1, according to the city.

All licensed programs in Toronto that serve children under the age of six or who turn six before Thursday, June 30 may apply to participate in the program to support fee reductions for eligible families, provided they meet the established requirements and Terms of funding approved by the province and city, the city said.

In addition, all licensed child care programs for eligible employees can apply for labor compensation assistance under the program, the city said.

On March 28, the state and federal governments announced that they had agreed on the program. Since then, the city says it has been working on the application process and has communicated with more than 1,000 childcare providers and childcare facilities at home.

On March 28, the provincial and federal governments announced that they had reached an agreement on the $10-a-day child care program. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press)

The city said it plans to send out information this summer to operators it plans to organize via email, its website and informational events.

The province has said it will take a phased approach over five years to achieve the program’s goals, including affordability, accessibility, a valued workforce, inclusion and an improved data and reporting process.

A new program website provides information on admissions requirements and details of upcoming childcare awareness sessions. On Thursday, it will include an online application for licensed operators to sign up for the program.

“Canada’s early education and child care system … will support quality, accessibility, affordability and inclusiveness in licensed early childhood education child care services serving eligible children,” the city says on the new website.

“Key goals include reducing childcare fees for eligible children, improving wages and increasing access to quality childcare programs.”

Thinking of opening a daycare in Ontario, Canada? There is a better option, especially for busy moms and entrepreneurs just beginning their journey. Home day care comes at a lower cost compared to day care, making it easier to get started. You can also work from the comfort of your own home.

Tip The first step to starting a home day care in Ontario is to research the local market and create a business plan. Next, decide on a legal form, register your business name, and apply for a day care license if you plan to place more than five children, including your own.

Make a business plan

About 1.4 million children under the age of six were enrolled in childcare in Canada in the first three months of 2019, Statistics Canada reports. About 20 percent of them were cared for in family children’s homes. The same source notes that one in 10 parents changed their hours and 7 percent worked fewer hours because they were finding it difficult to find someone to look after their children.

As an entrepreneur, you can help families and make a difference in your community by opening home day care. The first step is to create a business plan. Consider your budget and how much space you have available, as well as the number of children you can care for at any given time.

Decide if you want to start your own business or buy a daycare franchise in Ontario. With a franchise, you follow a proven business model and receive ongoing support while promoting your services under a recognized brand name. The downside is that you have to pay recurring fees and share your profits with the franchisor.

For example, Wee Watch offers franchising opportunities for those looking to start a home day care business in Ontario or British Columbia. Applicants must pay a $20,000 franchise fee and cover insurance, starting materials, software licensing, and equipment costs.

Your business plan should include information about your target audience, services, funding options, and legal requirements. Also think about your marketing strategy. Find out about the most popular daycare centers in your area and look for ways to differentiate yourself from the competition. Prepare to set up a website and social media pages, advertise in local media, and cross-market with other local businesses. For example, you can exchange flyers and brochures with beauty salons, spa centers, gyms, and other businesses that cater to women with children.

Eligibility requirements for day care

After creating a business plan, take the necessary steps to register your day care with the government. Choose a company name for your day care and decide on a legal form such as partnership or sole proprietorship. Business name registrations are required to be renewed every five years by the Ontario government. Entrepreneurs can search, register and renew company names online.

When you start home day care in Ontario, you will receive a federal business number as part of your registration. Next, you can apply to the Ontario Department of Education for a business license online through the Child Care Licensing System (CCLS) — but first decide if you need one.

According to the Ontario Department of Education, unlicensed daycare centers can accommodate up to five children under the age of 13, including their own children under the age of four, but no more than three children under the age of two. Approved day care providers may accommodate a maximum of six children under the age of 13, including up to three children under the age of two.

Your daycare provider may end your relationship for a variety of reasons. While these reasons are usually centered on the child, in some cases parental behavior is to blame. In such situations, the day care center sometimes has to release your child from the program in order to keep the other children calm and balanced. Find out about the reasons why your child can be excluded from daycare.

Reasons why children are kicked out of daycare

Every situation is unique, but these are the main reasons children are asked to leave daycare.

complaints about your child

Not all young children thrive in a group environment. Day care can be very overwhelming for some and spawn some undesirable behaviors. All parents have the right to have their child in a positive environment that allows children to thrive socially and academically and be free from stress or physical harm. The primary reason for termination is a child who is out of control, consistently exhibits destructive behavior, bites, hits or attacks other children, or refuses to follow the rules.

Daycare and home care facilities have no mandate to care for a child who poses a threat to themselves and others. You have the right to reject or exclude a child for any reason.

Childcare professionals must consider everyone’s needs, happiness, and overall family happiness. Letting go of a child with discipline issues is sometimes the best solution.

Social and academic skills level

Children learn at individual levels, and a rigorous preschool preparation program is not suitable for every youngster. Parents should carefully assess their child’s social and academic awareness before placing them in a prep setting.

Some day care centers and childcare providers focus primarily on fun, social growth, and basic skills. However, others are aimed at parents trying to prepare their child to apply to private school or be at the front of the class from day one.

This means that educators must adhere to a certain standard of academic expectations. If your child is not completing work, sitting at a desk, completing chores and chores, or distracting others, an alternative care location that is better suited for the child should be considered.

parental behavior

Your child may be absolutely adorable, but in some cases, the parent’s behavior can be the problem. Some daycare centers may choose to stop caring for a child because the parents were unable to make their payments on time or with insufficient funds. Or they constantly have friction and disagreements about other aspects of caregiving.

philosophy of child care

There is no one right way to raise children and all parents have their own style. Vendors typically list their requirements, philosophies, expectations, costs and times, certifications, and meal prep ahead of time so parents can make informed decisions.

But sometimes the match that seemed right at the time turns out to be wrong and the arrangement has to end. For example, very specific dietary requirements (beyond food allergies or medical necessity) that do not apply to the other children could be reason enough to terminate care.

going to school sick

Having a sick child is stressful for working parents, but childcare workers usually send sick children home. Some desperate parents may try to hide a child’s illness and then quickly leave so they can still work. This can spread infection to otherwise healthy children and is unfair to all other families.

What can you do?

If you can address the reasons given for the termination, you may be able to negotiate with your provider to reinstate your child on a probationary period. During this time, you should review what other options are available to you that suit your needs.

overview

In Ontario, child carers are required to follow the rules set out in the Child Care and Early Years Act, 2014 (CCEYA) and its regulations. The law helps to ensure the health and safety of children and childcare workers in childcare facilities.

The law applies to:

unlicensed childcare facilities

licensed day care centers

licensed childcare agencies at home

Childcare providers in the home that are overseen by an approved agency

Home service providers overseen by a licensed agency

The law does not apply to:

Nannies or babysitters who are not supervised by a licensed agency and are hired directly by parents to provide care at the children’s home

Relatives caring for children

Camps that only serve children aged four years and older

Programs with a primary purpose of academic or competency-based recreation

Private schools that only take care of children from the age of four

Learn more about the types of child care.

The Ministry of Education licenses child care centers and home child care facilities. Individual childcare providers and home service providers are not licensed by the Department of Education. They are supervised by home childcare facilities licensed by the Ministry.

Rules from March 2021

Extended hours for some authorized recreational programs

Some authorized recreational and skill-building programs may run for:

more than three consecutive or non-consecutive hours per day

full days on non-school days during the school year

Ask your child’s activity provider if they offer longer hours.

Stricter health and safety regulations

For home childcare facilities

Home childcare facilities must:

Keep items that could harm children out of their reach (previously only for toxic and hazardous materials).

that could harm children beyond their reach (previously only for toxic and dangerous substances). Carry out the instructions of a medical officer when it comes to the health or well-being of children in your care. Previously, the Child Care and Early Years Act 2014 only required licensed child care centers to do so.

only required by licensed daycares. Ensure that all volunteers or students on an educational internship are vaccinated and have a health assessment as directed by local health authorities.

Extend their health and safety requirements to childcare providers who provide in-home services. Providers already offering in-home services have until July 1, 2021 to comply with this new requirement.

Ensure that home childcare workers maintain a daily attendance record for each group of children for health officials to consult.

For licensed centers

Licensed centers must:

Keep items that could harm children out of their reach (previously only for toxic and hazardous materials).

that could harm children out of reach (previously only applied to toxic and hazardous substances) ensure volunteers and students in an educational placement are vaccinated and receive a health assessment as directed by local health authorities

keep a daily attendance list for each group of children, which can be viewed by the health authorities

Home child care

There are two types of childcare at home in Ontario:

Home childcare providers overseen by a licensed agency

unauthorized home child care

Home childcare providers overseen by a licensed agency

Number of children allowed

A childcare home provider supervised by a licensed agency can care for up to six children under the age of 13.

All childcare providers at home must:

own children count if they are younger than four years

Care of a maximum of three children under the age of two

Vulnerable sector reviews

Individuals working or living in in-home childcare facilities supervised by an accredited agency are required to undergo a Vulnerable Sector Inspection. That means they need a police background check.

This applies to:

Childcare providers at home

Providers of household services

Agency employees visiting home child care facilities

Students in a pedagogical internship

volunteers

other people living in the household, such as the provider’s spouse

Individuals must:

update their audits for vulnerable sectors every five years

make criminal declarations every year that controls in vulnerable sectors are not required

In some cases, home childcare providers can start working with children before they receive their Vulnerable Sector Screening, so long as:

they apply for it as soon as possible

the time to receive justifies any delay

Until a provider receives its vulnerable sector verification, childcare facilities at home must ensure that additional measures are in place to protect children. For example, the authority may require additional oversight or monitoring of the provider or perform additional reference checks.

First Aid Training

Childcare home providers who are overseen by a licensed childcare home agency must have valid standard first aid certification, including infant and child cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

Program Requirements

Childcare providers at home that are overseen by a licensed agency must have a program statement that is consistent with the Department of Education’s How Does Learning Happens Framework Program.

Unauthorized childcare at home

Number of children allowed

An unlicensed home childcare provider can care for a maximum of five children under the age of 13.

All childcare providers at home must:

own children count if they are younger than four years

Care of a maximum of three children under the age of two

Unlicensed childcare providers must:

not work in more than one location

Notify them in writing (hard copy or electronically) that they are unlicensed. Your notice must read, “This child care program is not licensed by the Ontario government.”

Keep evidence that they have told you this for two years

Rules for all childcare workers

All childcare workers must:

Provide you with receipts for payment for Services if you request it and without incurring a fee

allow you, with a few exceptions, access to their premises and your child

The rules for nannies apply at all times of the day.

Licensed Day Care Centers

staff-child relationship

Licensed daycares must meet the following minimum staff-to-child ratios. You can opt for more staff, but you cannot have fewer staff than specified below.

Age group Age range Staff to child ratio Maximum number of children in group Infants under 18 months 3 to 10 10 Toddlers 18 to 30 months 1 to 5 15 Preschool 30 months to 6 years 1 to 8 24 Kindergarten 44 months to 7 years 1 to 13 26 Basic – and elementary school age 68 months to 13 years 1 to 15 30 elementary school age 9 to 13 years 1 to 20 20

Vulnerable sector reviews

All staff, volunteers and students working in licensed daycares must have:

a review of criminal credentials, including a vulnerable sector review, which they must update every five years

Criminal declarations in each year that controls in vulnerable sectors are not required

In some cases, staff may begin working with children before they receive their Vulnerable Sector Check, provided they apply for it as soon as possible and the length of time it takes to receive it justifies a delay.

Employers must also take additional measures to protect children until employees receive their Vulnerable Sectors Check. For example, they may require additional supervision or monitoring of the person, or conduct additional reference checks.

First Aid Training

All childcare workers and staff counted as part of the staff-to-child ratio must have valid standard first aid certification, including infant and child cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

At least one first aid certified worker must be on site at all times and close enough to the children so they can respond in the event of an emergency. Other employees have three months to obtain or renew their certification.

When an accident or incident happens

If an accident or incident occurs that could affect the health, safety or well-being of your child, the daycare must:

notify you

Complete an incident or accident report and give them a copy

Program Requirements

Each licensed provider must have a program statement that aligns with the How Does Learning Happens framework program of the Department of Education.

How learning occurs reflects the Province’s understanding that children are competent, capable, curious and rich in potential. It is based on current research on early childhood development and offers a positive framework for the advancement of children and families.

day-care centers in schools

A day-care center located in a school for children from kindergarten age is considered part of the school.

This means that the building standards that apply to the school also apply to the day care center. Separate conditions such as zoning, building regulations, playground regulations and window glazing are not required for these centers.

When a nanny doesn’t follow the rules

If you have concerns about a childcare provider in Ontario, you can make a complaint.

The Department of Education conducts inspections and investigates complaints about licensed and unlicensed childcare.

Providers who fail to comply with the provisions of the Child Care and Early Years Act 2014 and its regulations may face administrative penalties, convictions which may include fines, or both.

An Administrative Penalty is a fine that the Department of Education can impose for breaching some of the provisions of the Childcare and Early Childhood Education Act 2014. It is not the same as a fine related to the conviction of a crime.

If the Department of Education finds that a childcare worker has broken the rules, we will take appropriate action. Typically, we will also take progressive measures such as: B. Issuing a compliance order before we impose an administrative penalty. Administrative penalties could increase due to:

how long the provider has not complied with the law

previous violations

For example, if a provider is caring for more than the allowed number of children, the penalty would start at $2,000 per child per day.

We will also put online a childcare provider that will be issued either:

a performance order

administrative penalty

protective order

interim disposal

Look for licensed and unlicensed childcare violations.

There is no specific guidance on attendance rates for non-educational or early childhood organizations. We’ve put together some best practice guides to help other organizations figure out how many adults are needed to safely supervise children.

We recommend the presence of at least two adults when working with or caring for children and young people. We recommend the following adult to child ratios as a minimum to ensure child safety:

0 – 2 years – one adult to three children

one adult up to three children 2 – 3 years – one adult up to four children

one adult up to four children 4 – 8 years – one adult up to six children

one adult up to six children 9 – 12 years – one adult up to eight children

one adult up to eight children 13 – 18 years – one adult up to ten children

Depending on the children’s needs and abilities and the type of activity, you may need more adults than the minimum.

Even with smaller groups, we recommend the presence of at least two adults.

When young people help supervise younger children, only those aged 18 and over should be included as adults in the adult-to-child ratio calculation.

Children with special needs or disabilities

If you work with children and young people with special educational needs or disabilities (SEND), you may need more supervision than the minimum quotas above.

For each activity, you should conduct a risk assessment to help you decide on oversight rates. The assessment should take into account the behaviour, skills and mobility of children and young people. As far as possible, include input from children and young people and their parents and carers in risk assessments to ensure that children’s needs are met.

> Learn more about protecting deaf and disabled youth

toilet conditions

If the group consists of boys and girls, there should be at least one male and one female responsible adult to supervise toilet visits.

Adults who have not previously volunteered and gone through the necessary security checks should not be left alone with children or take them to the restroom unaccompanied.

In larger groups of children, encourage the group to take a break with a responsible adult while the other adult(s) supervises the remaining children and counts the number of children.

First Aid Ratios

We recommend that at least one adult be trained in first aid.

If you are hosting one-off events, you must conduct a first aid and medical risk assessment. Many organizations offer medical services but ensure that the organization you choose is competent, trained in first aid and able to handle the needs of your event.

Travel Quotas

When traveling with children and teenagers, the recommended adult-to-child ratio may vary depending on:

size of the group

Age of the children, their behavior and their needs

Size of the vehicle you are traveling in.

When traveling in a vehicle, it is recommended that an adult drive and an adult supervise children. Larger groups and vehicles will require more adults to ensure proper supervision. Depending on the size of the group, remember that one adult will drive and at least one adult will supervise the children.

Release date: 04/01/19

Running a daycare isn’t always easy, but the rewards are endless. As you know, access to early childhood education is an important indicator of later success in life.

But when profit margins are tight and the market is fiercely competitive, your daycare needs to operate as efficiently as possible to be successful.

Here are four ways to increase profits and four ways to cut expenses so you can ensure your business is healthy and prosperous.

4 ways to increase profits in your daycare

1 – Registration vs. Capacity

Most day care centers have high fixed costs – costs that you pay no matter how many students you have. So, to make your childcare business profitable, you need to focus on enrollment, as profitability will not start until your enrollment count is close to your center’s capacity.

In general, daycare centers start making profits after enrollment exceeds between 80% and 85% of total capacity. And once you reach that sweet spot, you are sure to make a significant amount of profits in your child care business.

While more enrollments naturally require more staff and supplies, once you reach that threshold you will see numbers increase.

2 – Monetize your establishment

Think about it – you have a brick and mortar plant that sits empty 2 days out of 7 every week. That means your actual asset utilization rate is 71% and you’re missing out on the remaining 21% of potential revenue. How about monetizing your facility by renting it out to companies or organizations that need a facility like yours in the evenings or weekends? Boy Scout groups, church groups, Weight Watchers, and yoga programs are always looking for facilities to rent for their weekend programs. Your school is already designed for kids to have fun and can be the perfect place to host birthday parties. This can also be a great way for employees to earn extra cash if they are interested in managing them. By renting it out to such groups, not only do you earn more per month in revenue, but you actually get 100% use of your facility. 3 – Marketing Parents today research kindergartens and day care centers online before setting foot in one. They usually go to Google to find the best preschools in their area. And for your daycare to be seen by these parents, you not only need to have your own website, but you also need to increase your online presence through SEO. A free way to do this is through directory listings like Paper Pinecone. Paper Pinecone has proven to be the best source for qualified leads for preschool, daycare, and before and after school programs. Registering with Paper Pinecone is free and comes with many benefits, like booking tours online, which can help get more families through the door.

4 – Weekly Billing

There are pros and cons to switching from monthly to weekly billing, but it can increase profits. If you’re currently charging $1000 a month, most people would assume that equates to $250 a week. But many months have five weeks, which means an additional $1000 per year per student if you are a year-round center. This can be a very effective way to increase profits if you’re lucky enough to have families that consistently pay on time. If you have families that are constantly missing out on payments, this can be difficult as it can mean chasing money from currently enrolled families, which is never a fun task. It can also mean more trips to the bank and more data entry on your part.

4 ways to reduce spending at your daycare

1 – Toys, Materials and Equipment

Finding the best prices for materials and gear can be time consuming, but it’s worth it. Buying used saves you significant amounts of money and there are so many websites that give you access to quality, used items. First, check your local Facebook sales groups. Many mom Facebook groups allow sales or have marketplace branches where you can find treasures in mint condition. Goodwill and the Salvation Army are filled to the brim these days, and everyone is returning to a more minimalist lifestyle. Meet her early in the week after the goods have been dropped over the weekend. The bottom line is, stay active in your online hunt for materials and avoid wasting money.

2 – Hiring quality staff

Good employees are the basis for the success of any type of business, and the same is true of childcare businesses. However, many childcare business owners still believe that state-of-the-art facilities, an excellent curriculum, and the occasional field trip are the best way to achieve high enrollments. While these help, the reality is that good and caring teachers are the first thing parents look for when looking for daycare, according to a Preschool Inspirations survey. So put in place proper procedures to ensure you hire qualified staff for your daycare and put programs in place to help them grow and retain them.

3 – Improving business efficiency

Many factors go into running a business efficiently and day care centers require proper systems to run smoothly on a daily basis. These systems generally include a straightforward pricing structure, predefined timelines, detailed processes for submitting paperwork and completing specific tasks. Check out childcare system management platforms like Brightwheel, ProCare and Hi Mama. Paper Pinecone offers waitlist management through our strategic partner Kid Apply as well as online tour booking. These services can help streamline operations and reduce costs over time.

4 – Stay organized

With kids, staff and operations all needing to stay on top of things, organization is critical to your success. As mentioned earlier, childcare software is a good place to start. But not everything can go through them. Social media is a time-consuming but necessary aspect of marketing. Create a content calendar and use free tools to schedule posts in advance.

We’ve been using computers for years, but often don’t take advantage of the many organizational features they offer, like color-coding files and noting emails that need to be tracked.

Conclusion

There are many tools and processes that must be employed to increase efficiency. Updating your procedures will help you reduce costs and maximize your profits by ensuring your daycare or preschool is streamlined and thriving.

Paper Pinecone is the best resource for connecting with thousands of families seeking childcare. Register today for free.

. . . .

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As more families seek dual income and government subsidies make childcare affordable, enrollment continues to rise.

Although the Covid-19 lockdowns impacted enrollment numbers in 2020, numbers are recovering significantly as 44% of Australian children aged 0-5 are enrolled in childcare. According to ABS, 81% of children aged 4 are in preschool, although the numbers are skewed due to the pandemic.

In response to the growing demand for quality childcare, according to the Australian Industry and Skills Committee report, early childhood educator jobs are expected to experience “the largest relative growth in the industry, growing by 22%, or 9,000 jobs by 2023 reach”.

Managerial positions are expected to increase by 20% and jobs in the childcare industry as a whole will increase by 27,000 to accommodate the new facilities needed to meet demand.

Find out how much workers made in your area and elsewhere in Canada last year.

wage methodology

Thinking of opening a daycare in Ontario, Canada? There is a better option, especially for busy moms and entrepreneurs just beginning their journey. Home day care comes at a lower cost compared to day care, making it easier to get started. You can also work from the comfort of your own home.

Tip The first step to starting a home day care in Ontario is to research the local market and create a business plan. Next, decide on a legal form, register your business name, and apply for a day care license if you plan to place more than five children, including your own.

Make a business plan

About 1.4 million children under the age of six were enrolled in childcare in Canada in the first three months of 2019, Statistics Canada reports. About 20 percent of them were cared for in family children’s homes. The same source notes that one in 10 parents changed their hours and 7 percent worked fewer hours because they were finding it difficult to find someone to look after their children.

As an entrepreneur, you can help families and make a difference in your community by opening home day care. The first step is to create a business plan. Consider your budget and how much space you have available, as well as the number of children you can care for at any given time.

Decide if you want to start your own business or buy a daycare franchise in Ontario. With a franchise, you follow a proven business model and receive ongoing support while promoting your services under a recognized brand name. The downside is that you have to pay recurring fees and share your profits with the franchisor.

For example, Wee Watch offers franchising opportunities for those looking to start a home day care business in Ontario or British Columbia. Applicants must pay a $20,000 franchise fee and cover insurance, starting materials, software licensing, and equipment costs.

Your business plan should include information about your target audience, services, funding options, and legal requirements. Also think about your marketing strategy. Find out about the most popular daycare centers in your area and look for ways to differentiate yourself from the competition. Prepare to set up a website and social media pages, advertise in local media, and cross-market with other local businesses. For example, you can exchange flyers and brochures with beauty salons, spa centers, gyms, and other businesses that cater to women with children.

Eligibility requirements for day care

After creating a business plan, take the necessary steps to register your day care with the government. Choose a company name for your day care and decide on a legal form such as partnership or sole proprietorship. Business name registrations are required to be renewed every five years by the Ontario government. Entrepreneurs can search, register and renew company names online.

When you start home day care in Ontario, you will receive a federal business number as part of your registration. Next, you can apply to the Ontario Department of Education for a business license online through the Child Care Licensing System (CCLS) — but first decide if you need one.

According to the Ontario Department of Education, unlicensed daycare centers can accommodate up to five children under the age of 13, including their own children under the age of four, but no more than three children under the age of two. Approved day care providers may accommodate a maximum of six children under the age of 13, including up to three children under the age of two.