by admin | Oct 7, 2022 | Blog, Uncategorized
It might only be October, but I’m already prepping for 2023! You are perhaps thinking that I’m getting ahead of myself, but this is how I like to plan and it’s what helps me succeed and continue to grow every year. And that’s exactly what I want for you too!
I’m not suggesting for a second that we write-off 2022. Nope, I know that you’ve got plans to end the year way ahead of where you were in January. Me too! Currently, I’m waiting on permits for two of three new daycares I’m opening. But that doesn’t mean I’m not going to set aside time to plan what I want from 2023 and start prepping to get ahead of the game.
Read on for my tips on how to prepare for the coming year like the ninja you are!
Finish Q4 strong and ready
As the year is drawing to a close, ensure that you are taking time each week to reflect on how far you’ve come. It’s important that you really look at the progress you’ve made as a childcare business owner and then start to think about “what next”?
Remember that you’ve got systems in place now for staying on top of things. Also allowing you to make room in your schedule for planning time. Make sure you allocate time to analyze data – not just your profits but other information that gives you clues for what needs to happen in 2023.
Why you should start prepping for 2023 NOW!
If you don’t make time to prep before the holiday season, you’re going to run out of it! We all know that by the time the festivities begin childcare business owners are exhausted from weeks of working without a break. And often this means our bodies suddenly get ill. So don’t leave planning until you’re officially off work.
Get ahead of the game and block out a little time each week from now. This will give you plenty of time to think about your goals for 2023 (having looked at your data). Look at what’s worked well and where things need some support. You can then plan out how you’re going to achieve these goals in a SMART way.
SMART planning
If you’re wondering what I’m capitalizing the word for, it’s because it’s an acronym: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Timely. It’s a dynamite way of setting targets for your childcare biz.
Setting super specific goals, like “Find 2 team members for the new day care” or “create new play area on a smaller budget”, will mean you can easily see if you’re making progress. Just be sure to write down detailed plans, to chunk big goals down into bite-size ones. Then make a timeline for achieving your goals.
Prepping like a ninja
It’s not just about goal planning when I’m talking about prep. I know you’ve got to plan your curriculum, figure out menus, get ahead on your social media scheduling…there’s a lot to do.
So that’s why it’s good to start early when you’re prepping for the year ahead. Over the last 3 years we’ve seen a global pandemic, bizarre weather patterns causing chaos, and an economic disaster…who knows what this year will throw at us?! Which is why we need to be prepared.
Sit down and look at all the areas in your business and break them down into categories. This will make it easier to see gaps in your preparations.
And I’ve got something coming VERY SOON that’ll help you do this!
Get on the waitlist for my new Childcare Business Planner
Want to be inspired to take action every day? Have the tools you need to plan ahead and a customized planning system for Childcare Ninjas looking to take their business to the next level?! It’s more than a planner…it’s a whole system created with resources and tools to help you level up and grow your childcare business to maximum success in 2023.
BUT it’s important that we plan in a way that works for us. So that’s why this year I’m bringing you two versions for my new 2023 CHILDCARE BUSINESS PLANNING SYSTEM – traditional AND digital!!
This exclusive planning system is specifically set up to help today’s childcare professionals! You can easily and quickly plan curriculum, menus, social media scheduling and so much more. Let’s get you organized and systematized in 2023!
So if you’re looking to reduce overwhelm, get organized and achieve your goals this year, WATCH THIS SPACE! Soon you’ll be able to get your 2023 CHILDCARE BUSINESS PLANNING SYSTEM!
Find cheerleaders and support in prepping for 2023
Even with the best planning system in the world, being a home daycare provider can sometimes feel lonely and overwhelming. Don’t forget that you can find strategies and tips to move your childcare business forward by joining our community! You can hang out with like-minded and aspirational day care owners in there. Plus I go live regularly to talk about topics that’ll help you grow.
If you prefer Instagram, we share ideas and tips there too. Or maybe email is your thang…JOIN OUR 
MAILING LIST HERE. We’re an army of childcare professionals who are sharing ninja-sharp skills to transform our businesses into childcare empires! This is Childcare Ownership all Grownup! Join us for more tips on how to make your childcare business the success it deserves to be!
by admin | Sep 30, 2022 | Blog, Uncategorized
If you’ve been wondering when to start your marketing, the time is RIGHT NOW! Don’t wait until you’ve got everything in place to begin telling people about your new venture.
It’s vital that you start spreading the news about your opening and let parents know who you are and why your day care will be awesome.
The time to start marketing is NOW!
A mistake I often see with new childcare business owners is that they are cautious to market their day care. But waiting until you’ve got a license in place is too late! Start right now before all the i’s are dotted and the t’s are crossed.
It’s key that you get your messaging spot on, and that you communicate your unique selling point to potential families. Make a plan and focus your marketing on the places your new clients might be hanging out. Are they spending time online – where? Instagram, TikTok, Facebook or LinkedIn…
So how are you going to start marketing your new childcare biz? Will you create some flyers to drop in your local area and put up posters in local coffee shops and libraries? How about starting to collect email addresses? Have you thought about how you can use email marketing?
Start your email list ASAP
One thing I’ve learned over the last few years is the importance of using the tools at our fingertips to our advantage. And email marketing is a low cost, high return way of communicating with your prospective new clients.
Building an email list is the best way to build a relationship with potential customers in a truly intimate and genuine way. It’s a vital way of connecting because you’re not just a temporary status update on social media; instead you’re landing in their inbox. That’s a special place, Ninja! It’s where their nearest and dearest communicate with them (as well as work!) – so it’s a fairly sacred space to hang out. You just need the key – their email addresses and permission to show up there.
So how do you get people’s email addresses?
Getting an email list started…
You could just ask people for their email addresses and have an “opt-in” for your newsletter. But in my experience, I’ve found that the best way to collect those precious email addresses is to offer something really helpful in return. Because that’s what it is – it’s an exchange.
Create something that they’ll want and they’ll sign up with their email address in order to download it. Once they’ve signed up, you can connect deeper with a fantastic nurture sequence. And you can get started on creating your waitlist right away, telling them all your news!
Bring them on the journey with you
You can send out regular emails keeping your potential parents informed about where you’re at. By bringing them on the journey with you, you’ll make them feel part of something special. Share the milestones of your path to opening, like renting your space, or getting approval. Show them your designs for the space and let them watch as it comes to life.
Talk about how excited you are for what’s to come and your plans for the future. Keep them in the loop so they know when you’re likely to open your doors.
Keep it fresh
Something that many businesses forget – not just childcare ones! – is to send out a kinda “Hey! Are you still interested in hearing from us?” message on the regular. This is an opportunity to refresh your list and encourage unsubscribes. Because you don’t want hundreds of people on there who’ve got no interest in your daycare and are negatively impacting your open rate. You want a list – no matter how small! – of engaged people eagerly waiting in anticipation of you opening up!
Keep communicating
I’d recommend sending out an email at least once a month to your subscribers. That way you are keeping them up to date and be well on the way to start your marketing properly once you get your license!
Don’t be afraid to tell them about challenges or share frustrations as well as the exciting bits. Being open and honest in your initial emails demonstrates what you will be like to work with. It shows your values!
A really great way of building your relationships with these potential future clients is asking their opinion on things. What would they like to see in your space? What extra services might they be interested in? Have they got any food preferences? Of course you can’t accommodate everything but it’s a way of engaging them and making them feel part of the process.
Start your marketing with the right mindset
Mindset is something that comes up all the time with my childcare coachees. Often they tell me they don’t feel ready to market – even when everything seems like it’s in place. So I encourage them to start before they’re ready!
I believe that language matters so I correct them when they tell me “if I get my license…” or “if I’m able to get clients”. I remind them about how important it is to use positive language to help adjust our mindsets. So I explain that they need to replace “if” with “when”. “When I get my license” and “When I get my clients” sounds so much more affirming. I’ve written more about mindset here.
The Childcare Flip Business Marketing Bundle has everything for you to use to start your marketing to get more clients ready and waiting for you when you open.
In the bundle you’ll find copy you can swipe for your funnel and templates for the lead magnet itself!! Plus videos that demonstrate how to do it all in an easy and accessible way. I’ll show you everything you need to start your marketing RIGHT NOW so you’re ready for WHEN you open!
And if you want MORE, marketing is one of the trainings we cover in detail inside
The Childcare Flip Course. I’ll be teaching you how to formulate your PMM (Premier Marketing Message) to set yourself apart in the childcare industry and become irreplaceable. As well as harnessing your passion, skills and expertise to create your Premier Marketing Message. You’ll learn how to strategically build your network and get free marketing. Want in?!
We’ll be opening up for the next cohort next week! So I’m sharing the link here for you to take a look and get ready to learn how to BUY BACK YOUR TIME Ninja! 
Did you know you can also catch my live trainings on Thursday nights over in my free
Facebook group?! Join us in there and get connected with other childcare owners. Every week we’ll move your childcare
business forward by with tips and ideas! Hang out with like-minded and aspirational day care owners as well as resources and tips for success from me! Or if you prefer
Instagram, we share ideas and tonnes of other stuff there too.
We’re an army of childcare professionals who are sharing ninja-sharp skills to transform our businesses into childcare empires! This is Childcare Ownership all Grownup!
by admin | Sep 16, 2022 | Blog, Uncategorized
It’s that back-to-school vibe here at Childcare Ninjas and right now we’ve got a focus on systems. And you KNOW I am all about using systems to bring bigger and better success into our childcare businesses. So how can we use systems to get more clients?
In this blog post I’m going to share with you how it’s possible and tell you exactly why you need to get systems in place right now!
What do you mean by “systems”, Nyckie?!
Systems are the things you put in place to keep you organized! Whether that’s automations or just a paper process, it’s important that you have something in place. Particularly if you need to have time off at any point. And systems are a huge reason why I’ve been able to grow my business over the years.
Your Daily operations, Vendor and Supplier management, Billing, Marketing, Curriculum and teaching roster, Profit and finance, Taxes, and managing your space all require some sort of system. Not to mention why we’re here today: Client onboarding & Client management!
Do systems really save you time?
I can hear you questioning whether this whole “systems” malarkey is any good! But I’d ask you another question in return – how long are things taking you right now?
After 15 years of running a home day care and multiple childcare businesses, I can say with all my heart that they reaaaaaaaaaaaallllly do! Having systems in your childcare saves you time and money and I’m so aware of how precious a commodity time is to us as business owners. We don’t have much of it, do we?! So why spend hours on something manual and stressful when you can get a system in place to speed things up and take it off your To Do list?
How can I use systems to get more clients?
You should be bearing enrollment in mind all year round. You shouldn’t just be on the hunt for clients when you find a family is moving away taking 4 of your 6 kiddos with them, or when 2 or 3 families have kids reaching school age and no longer need you…leaving you with no kids in your care. It’s time to get systems in place!
You can have an active waitlist of families who are looking for childcare set up. Let me show you how! No more freaking out when someone leaves! Have a family ready and waiting…
Use a marketing funnel to grow a waitlist
Don’t panic – it sounds much more complex than it actually is! Building a waitlist for those quieter times by setting up a funnel just means having an email list that you can then filter to separate out people who want and need a place in your day care.
You can offer tips and resources in exchange for the emails of potential clients. These are usually really handy things they’ve been on the look out for. They sign up for their freebie, agreeing that they want to keep in touch with you. And then you add their email to your list, opening up a super valuable line of communication.
Then you can send emails out to your list informing them of upcoming open day events, availability of spaces and keep them in the loop about your childcare facilities and any news. Ultimately, you want to stay relevant and in the forefront of the minds of your local families.
And I’ve got just the thing you need because…
…Childcare Ninjas have kickass systems to get more clients they’ll love!
What if you could create and implement systems into your business which free you up not just to work but to give you more time for your other passions?! When done properly, using systems can help you buy back your time and give you freedom to make more of those cherished memories you spent all summer making – but year round!
You can get access to incredible resources that’ll help you get systems started RIGHT NOW!
There’s even copy you can swipe for your funnel and templates for the lead magnet itself!! Plus videos to show you how to do it all.
And if you want MORE, creating systems that work is one of the trainings we cover in detail inside
The Childcare Flip Course. We’ll be opening up for the next cohort in a few weeks! So I’m sharing the link here for you to take a look and get ready to learn how to BUY BACK YOUR TIME Ninja!
Catch my live trainings on Thursday nights over in my free
Facebook group.
Join us in there and get connected with other childcare owners. Every week we’ll move your childcare
business forward by with tips and ideas! Hang out with like-minded and aspirational day care owners as well as resources and tips for success from me! Or if you prefer
Instagram, we share ideas and tonnes of other stuff there too.
We’re an army of childcare professionals who are sharing ninja-sharp skills to transform our businesses into childcare empires! This is Childcare Ownership all Grownup!
by admin | Jun 18, 2022 | Blog, Uncategorized
One of the issues I hear all the time from childcare business owners is that they’re tired of being treated like a babysitter. Not just by the kids but by the parents they serve in the community. It’s a tale as old as time.
But there’s a few things to consider here.
Why are they treating you like a babysitter? Is it your behavior or theirs that’s the issue? And how can we change things up to stop these behaviors?
After 15 years of being a childcare boss, I’ve got A LOT to say about this! Read on to find out what you can do!
Why is being treated like a babysitter a bad thing?
It’s not that being a babysitter is a bad thing, not at all! It’s more that it’s not seen as a profession in its own right. When you hear the word babysitter what do you picture? I have an image in my head of a teenage girl, school files under one arm and a neighbour’s child in the other. And I’d bet yours is similar!
Babysitters are generally older kids looking to earn some pocket money while watching your small kids so you can go on a date or head to a PTA meeting. On top of that it’s usually seen as a job that requires minimal effort – the kids are mostly asleep already. And as such it’s not deemed necessary to have a “qualified” person doing the job. This in itself means that these willing teens are often underpaid and taken for granted.
So when you’re made to feel like a teenage girl despite being a grown-up running an entire daycare center (or more!), it can hurt!
Working on your mindset is where the change is going to come from. Trust me. So here’s some tips!
Think about how you present yourself
Hard truth: If you look like a babysitter you’re probably going to get treated like one. Take a look at your current work attire. Do you just wear athleisure outfits or have you got a set of plain black pants and polo shirts you reserve for daycare hours? I know it’s not practical to go for silk blouses and high heels like you might as a bank clerk! Opt for outfits that communicate to parents, “I’m the boss” and “take me seriously”.
However, this isn’t just about clothes, it’s also about how you carry yourself too. Take pride in your appearance and show it in your posture. Read this blog about boss mindset to help you.
Don’t treat your childcare business like a hobby!
It should really go without saying, but if you want your clients to respect your work and what you do, then you ought to respect it yourself.
Answer these questions:
- Are you opening up on time?
- How do you greet your families?
- How are payments set up?
- Is everything up-to-date?
- Is your space clean and tidy?
- How are you dressing to go to work?
- Do you expect parents to pick up on time?
And if your answers to these don’t sound professional you need to keep reading!
This might sound harsh, but…
If you don’t want your clients thinking of you as a babysitter who plays all day with their children then you shouldn’t run it like a babysitting service.
Run it in a professional way so your clients will treat you with the respect you deserve. It’s all about keeping your boundaries strong.
Lay down those boundaries!
Boundaries are so important. You need to be friendly and approachable but still hold a professional boundary.
Think about it. If you’re opening the gate a few minutes late, dishevelled, and high-fiving all the parents and chatting about personal stuff, what’s that saying about you? When you’re letting them hang around till your snack time starts then you’re allowing them to see you as a kind of babysitter.
Instead, show them that you can keep time by opening up accordingly. Demonstrate that their children’s education is important and has to start on time. Use a group activity to start the day and say, “Right everyone, it’s time for a story – say goodbye to the moms and dads”. Close the door/gate and crack on! If you don’t do that then they are going to treat you as the babysitter where they can bring their kids to you anytime, pick them up anytime.
Start the way you mean to go on
Don’t wait till you resent being treated like a babysitter to make a change. If you don’t do something about your behaviors, you will end up making you feel resentful of how the parents treat you. You might end up feeling upset and this could stop you from fully enjoying your work. Which in turn will trickle down to the children you serve. No one wants that!
Treating your daycare as a business is largely down to mindset. It’s about holding that boundary with yourself as much as the parents. If you don’t start now, your client may switch on you to go and find themselves someone they consider ‘professional’ as their perception of you has been that you just play with the kids and aren’t a proper business.
Don’t go into this thinking you will do it later, as one of the things you may find is when you go to make change or raise your prices your clients may get upset then leave. You deserve success and your business deserves to be treated properly!
To sum up, here’s some quick changes you can make right now!
- Take a look at your wardrobe. Does it convey a professional image?
- Show up to work like you mean business.
- Have a parent guidebook! It’s a practical and simple way to set boundaries and show your professional side too. (BTW we’ve got one of these in The Childcare Flip offer!!)
- Join my new course, The Childcare Flip! Learn how to get clients to choose your childcare business over the competition. Get clarity on what you want your childcare business to look like & stop feeling overwhelmed! Start spending less time in your childcare business and more time with your family. And finally get unstuck and start getting the results you need to grow your business to 6 figures and beyond!
So it’s time to stop allowing yourself to be treated like a babysitter and own who you are – a childcare boss!
STARTING JUNE 28TH!!!
Join the Childcare Flip and learn how to grow, manage, market and automate your childcare business WITHOUT massive startup dollars and oversized buildings so you can LIVE the LIFE of FREEDOM, FLEXIBILITY and FINANCIAL SUCCESS!
If you’re not ready for my course, why not get connected with other childcare owners instead? Get tips every week to move your childcare business forward by joining my FREE Facebook group! Hang out with like-minded and aspirational daycare owners as well as training every other week from me! Or if you prefer Instagram, we share ideas and tips there too. We’re an army of childcare professionals who are sharing ninja-sharp skills to transform our businesses into childcare empires! This is Childcare Ownership all Grownup!
by admin | Jan 27, 2022 | Blog, Uncategorized
These last few months I’ve been thinking about marketing pitfalls that I come across in the Childcare business. There’s so many! Sounds like bad news, right?!
Wrong! These marketing pitfalls are super easy to overcome, so don’t panic!
Have a read of these 4 most common mistakes I see childcare businesses making in their marketing, and then if you know you need a helping hand, I’d love you to register for my FREE upcoming Masterclass “The Childcare Flip MasterClass!”. In that class I’ll be diving deeper into the pitfalls and how to avoid them. I got you, Ninja!
Anyway, here’s some of the things that you need to avoid doing in your childcare business marketing:
Thinking too small
Childcare Ninjas, it’s time to stop thinking your childcare business is too small. Size does not matter when it comes to childcare! Stop believing the lie that you’re too small to contend with the other day cares in your area, especially the larger chain centers.
It is a negative mindset and false belief that tells you: ”Will people really want what I’ve got to offer?”. Stop listening to that voice when it says: “I’m just an in-home daycare! How on earth am I supposed to compete with a massive daycare center?! One that has all the fancy gadgets and latest kit?”
Instead, position it in a way where it will pique your ideal client’s interest! Here’s your permission to brag about what makes your biz unique! Do kids get to eat your home-grown veggies? Do you offer music sessions that enrich your curriculum?! The little touches matter here. It’s time to stop discounting what makes you unique and amazing and start shouting it from the rooftops!
One of the things to start doing so you don’t fall into that pit of ‘marketing or comparison blues’ is look at what you do well and highlight it.
Even if you’re small you can still position and market yourself so you’re set apart and your uniqueness shines bright!
Pretending to be something they’re not
You’d be surprised how many businesses fall into this trap. But it’s all because of the comparisonitis childcare business owners get, as highlighted in my first point! They worry they’re not good enough or big enough and then try to market themselves as something they are not.
I’ve seen it plenty of times where a home daycare biz owner puts out messaging that builds expectations they can’t possibly meet. From stock images on social media posts and leaflets to language that insinuates a huge corporate company – it doesn’t matter how. What’s important is showing your true colors in your marketing.
People love to buy from people, and they want to get to know you. They also love supporting small, so why wouldn’t they want a more intimate experience for their babies?
So stop pretending and start telling the world who you really are!
Not asking for help
Something I witness time and time again is this “I’m a strong independent woman” mantra from Childcare business owners. I am absolutely 100% down for being strong and independent, but not to the detriment of my business and my mental health! And not asking for help is often caused by this need to appear strong and independent all the time. Which is – in my humble opinion – unnecessary!
Being strong doesn’t mean keeping going till you reach breaking point with something. Showing strength can look like saying no to the things that don’t serve you or your business. It might be that you show strength by reaching out to a mentor or your peers.
So don’t end up making this common marketing pitfall! Instead ask for help when you need it.
Not having a marketing plan
Hands up if this is you?! Are you doing your marketing on a wing and a prayer? It’s okay, you’re not alone. Many childcare business owners don’t prioritize their marketing, don’t bother making a plan, and then find themselves in a panic!
So take some time to sit down and figure out your marketing plan. Set some goals for your marketing. If getting a waitlist going is a priority, how can you let people know you’re there? Decide what the purpose is to your marketing and go from there. Create a plan that is manageable and sustainable!
Not sure where to go from here?! Never fear, my blog is full of awesome ideas for marketing your childcare business.
Put a plan in place for your marketing! Even in-home daycares need one!
Have you noticed any other marketing pitfalls in the industry? Share them in the comments below!
If you’re looking to sort out your childcare marketing this year, you’re in the right place! I’m hosting a webinar next week which is going to revolutionize how you’re feeling about marketing your childcare biz.
The Childcare Flip Masterclass is on February 14th at 7pm. REGISTER HERE to nab your FREE place!
Hope to see you there, Ninja!
We’re an army of childcare professionals who are sharing ninja-sharp skills to transform our businesses into childcare empires! This is Childcare Ownership all Grownup! Interested in becoming more involved in the community and to grow your business? Join us for more tips on how to make your childcare business the success it deserves to be! Or if you prefer Instagram, we share ideas and tips there too!
