Get noticed on summer field trips

Are you planning field trips or community activities for the summer? If so, consider how you can use those events to draw attention to your program. The idea is to be seen when you’re out and about.

Use the following ideas to help you plan your next field trip:

1. Dress all children, staff, and parent volunteers in brightly colored (unwrinkled) t-shirts. Red, yellow, and orange are sure to attract attention. Remember to have your logo/name, phone number, and Web address printed on each one.
2. Invite your local newspaper reporter. If you are planning an interesting or newsworthy event, call the reporter who covers these types of articles and invite her or him to attend. (Be prepared to answer questions about the event and your business if the reporter shows up.)
3. Attach auto magnets to the sides of each car you take on the trip. Just like the t-shirts, these should have your logo/name, phone number, and Web address printed on them.
4. Spread the word. Carry a few business cards and brochures in your pocket to hand out to interested parents.
5. Get your name on their reader board. Attending a sporting event? Ask them to announce your group at the game or display it on their scoreboard. Many organizations are willing to announce your presence and support, just ask about the options.
6. After the event, email photos and a brief summary of the outing to your families. (Make sure you have photo release forms for everyone and don’t forget the camera when you head out the door.)

Additional online resources for field trips

Field Trip Safety – article on ways to ensure a safe outing

Tons of field trip ideas

Archived newsletters with field trip topics from Educational Training Partners

Are you ready for school-agers?

Summer is just around the corner and many of you have expressed an interest in marketing for your school-age program. Time is running short, but you can fill those openings if you commit all efforts to it.

Once you know exactly what your program offers and how it is different from the others in your community, train your staff on the subject. They should be able (and encouraged) to discuss it with the parents and caregivers who pick up and drop off their children every day. You may also consider sending your faculty to specialized school-age training and market their training as discussed in the post on conferences.

An incentive or referral promotion can also have a positive effect on enrollment in times of great need. Time off for staff or tuition discount for families are motivating rewards.

The key is to get the message about your quality service out as quickly as possible and make your program irresistible to parents and kids.

Here are a few additional ideas to get you started:

• Develop a relationship with the elementary schools in your surrounding area. Ask to meet with the principal and explain your afterschool program to her or him. Make sure you leave plenty of brochures for them to send home with students.
• Put the information about your school-age program on your brochure, website, newsletter, sign, bulletin board, etc.
• Consider partnering with other school-age programs to provide services that may be too expensive or unrealistic on your own.
• Remember that school-agers talk to their friends about what’s going on in your program. If they have fun at your school, they most likely want their friends there with them. (Of course, parents make the decision, but a referral from their child’s friend may influence them to take a look.)
• Obtain accreditation for your school-age program.
• Hold an event that attracts people from the community (free parent education night, a carnival, an open house, an art exhibit, a cultural event). Highlight your school-age program in materials and offer a tuition discount for anyone who attends.
• Offer a tuition discount to employees of local businesses.
• Send an email to your current families and others who might help spread the word highlighting the fun your students had last summer. If you use photos, be certain you have the signed release forms.
• Participate in a community parade and pass out flyers to parents. Wear t-shirts with your name, logo and website URL. Include school-age children in the mix.

Word-of-mouth is a powerful marketing tool — happy parents (and school-agers) recommend your program to others, who do the same, and so on.

Additional online resources for school-age programs

School-Age Notes – resources for after school professionals

There are School-Age organizations that vary by state. Search on Google.

Check with your professional organization for additional ideas. (NAEYC, NCCA, NAFCC)

Educational Training Partners – archived newsletters with school-age topics

Don’t forget to buy yourself a copy of 100 Ideas to Market Your Childcare Business

Get creative at bedtime (or anytime!)

Take a look at the latest video for Tuck Me In Cards from Five Threads. It shows how the cards can be used as a fun and creative alternative to the standard bedtime story.

10-minute paper heart wreath

10-minute paper heart wreath.

via 10-minute paper heart wreath.

What are your preschool colors?

We cover a bit on using color in our series Design It So They’ll Read It.

But you can continue your research here:

http://www.color-wheel-pro.com/color-schemes.html

http://www.color-wheel-pro.com/color-meaning.html

Can I add a day?

Here’s a little excerpt from an interaction with the Program Supervisor at my child’s center:

Me (with my son listening): Did you get my note about adding two days at the end of the month?

PS: Yes. You’re on my list to call.

Me: So you have room?

PS: We do! We’d love to have [my son's name] all of the extra days we can.

This is a small interaction that I can drop in a bucket of thousands I’ve had with staff, teachers, and management at the school. What makes this one important is the following:

1. I needed the school to adjust their schedule to accommodate mine, although our schedule was due two weeks prior.
2. Management responded with a positive attitude and a smile.
3. My child and I were both made to feel welcome and liked with just a few words.

 

This post (and other posts in this category) are here to provide you with a small insight into the interactions I have with two early learning programs.

Fun with fonts

Interested in fonts? Check out the MyFonts newsletter and website.