Like most business folk, childcare owners are looking to get organized and ready for next year. So how do we do that alongside running our day to day biz?
Here’s my 7 tips to help you get organized this winter!
Let’s do this, Ninja!
1. Brain Dump your To Dos
I highly recommend taking 5 or 10 minutes just to simply write down all the things you need to do. Get it all out if your head! Then organize everything into categories and prioritize them as high or low urgency.
This is a fabulous way to get a plan in place for your “get organized” day.
2. Say no to multitasking
Guilty of trying to do all the things?!
However, when you decide you want to declutter a room, it’s best to set a concrete goal, outline a timeframe and stick to it. Only do things that help you finish what you set out to do, rather than getting distracted with other side projects that can come up while decluttering.
3. Let go of old stuff!
Now you’re in the right headspace, one of the things you can do to get organized is throw away everything you don’t need to keep.
Because I’ve always believed the less stuff you have to organize, the easier it gets! So that’s why the first step of organization project is to reduce (and then recycle!).
Make sure you include all those old printouts of documents that you’ve got digital versions of! Then tackle stacked up piles of mail, ancient dried-out pens (you know you’ve got ‘em!) and put the curled up post-it notes into the recycling bin!
4. Organize Your Workspace
Now that you’ve thrown out the unnecessary clutter, it’s time to organize your workspace! Doing this drives you to a more productive 2023 and help you feel much happier while working on growing your childcare business.
First, grab a dust cloth and wipe down your desk and any surfaces. A clean space helps you get organized.
Use a specific container for your stationery. Put all your pens, pencils, scissors, tape, paper clips, etc. all in one place! No need to scrabble for something to write with when that client or supplier rings you with info! I love this rose gold desk tidier.
Get yourself an in tray for papers, bills, and other mail, and dedicate time twice a week to clear it. File things appropriately to avoid getting disorganized again!
5. Declutter Digitally!
Hands up if you’re guilty of putting files on your Mac or laptop desktop so you don’t have to search for things?! Now is the perfect time of year to sort it out.
Delete any unused apps, old photos, and files, but don’t forget to refresh your playlists and contacts. Also take time to uninstall programs you’ve not used in the last year on your computer.
Of course, your social media needs a declutter too! Unfollow any people you don’t align with any more. Remove or block users who don’t bring you joy or serve you well.
While you’re in the zone, delete all non-essential emails. Unsubscribe to newsletters you never open!
6. Create a Life Map or Vision Board
I’m talking about this again, but visualizing your life is powerful! Sit down and see if you can picture it in your head. Where will you be this time next year? How do you want to feel? Use old magazines to create a visual representation of it! Write it down as if it’s already taken place.
7. Work Faster and More Efficiently With Great Tools
It’s super essential to have the right organizational tools to help you stay on top of things throughout the year. And remember, mental organization is important, too: A planner gives you a place to write down your daily or weekly to-do list so you can stay focused and on task.
With this in mind, we created an AMAZING tool especially for you, Ninjas!
Our Digital Planner transforms getting organized! Instead of carting round a heavy bound planner, you can access your organizational tool from your device! A much more streamlined process and so easy to use!
Enhance your productivity RIGHT NOW by effectively organizing your day and streamlining your workflows. Take notes, keep track of meetings, set your priorities, and quickly accomplish your goals like the Childcare Ninja you are! Unleash the tools you need to plan ahead easily and effectively with our new digital planner.
Our exclusive planning system is designed with you in mind. I want to help fellow childcare professionals get organized! It’s time to take the faff out of planning. Quickly and easily plan curriculum, menus, social media scheduling and so much more. Create your vision for next year with the awesome vision board section! This will inspire you to take daily action to grow!
Let’s get you all set up for 2023!
So if you’re looking to reduce overwhelm, get organized and achieve your goals next year this is EXACTLY what you need! It’s time for your action! Get your 2023 CHILDCARE BUSINESS PLANNING SYSTEM!!
Find cheerleaders and support to get organized 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! Hang out with like-minded and aspirational day care owners in there. Plus I go live regularly to talk about topics that 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!
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.
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!
When I first set up my home daycare business, I had no idea what was to come. I knew I wanted to have some financial freedom and to be there for my kids. But I could’ve gotten there faster with better support. And this is why I’ve designed a course to help you. It’s called The Childcare Flip Course and it’s going to support you on this incredible journey of yours.
Because who doesn’t want a roadmap to help you fast track your own childcare business? And you should know how you can automate your childcare business on a budget, so you can actually get stuff done! As I believe that YOU TOO can also have a multi-six-figure childcare business like me. Know why? You have the power to become exactly who you always wanted to be!
Not sure what I’m on about yet? No worries at all, Ninja! Read on to find out how…
Where are you now?
After setting up Childcare Ninjas a few years ago, supporting women like you to build sustainable childcare businesses, I know where you’re at right now. You’ve most likely just begun your journey as a home daycare owner to fit work in around your family. Or you’ve invested in a space in your local town because you’ve seen a gap in the market.
I’d bet my bottom dollar that you’re super passionate about the kids you work with and ensuring that they thrive in your care. That you adore the families you serve in your neighbourhood and want to give them the best start ever. Am I right?!
So imagine how it’d feel to go from serving a handful of families from your home to supporting many more!
Well, I’m happy to tell you that it feels AWESOME. And I know because I’ve done it.
Be the change you want to see – flip it!
15 years ago I successfully opened my own childcare business despite all the challenges I came up against. I was a single mother to four gorgeous babies, with limited resources. But nowadays I have multiple centers, with teams of All Stars running them with me!
I’ve gone from a 9-5 job to being a multi six-figure childcare business owner. And I’ve continuously grown my childcare business day-in, day-out. I love it so much that I’ve been teaching other women how to succeed too, using their passion and skills for childcare.
Is it time for you to flip things round? Of course it is! There’s never been a better time…
You’ve got to take action
Want to know how I’ve managed to come so far? It’s quite simple really: I took action. Every single day. If I didn’t take action to become who I am today, I know exactly where I would be. Broke, unfulfilled, & plain ole tired!
Every day, I took another step to reach my goal. Sometimes I’d hit a bump in the road and have to start over, but it never stopped me trying to push forward. And I want to show you how you can do this too.
Action taking is tough
Wait a minute. Before you bite my head off. I KNOW taking action can be hard. We’ve all got things that might get in our way. A difficult family history, circumstances that don’t make it easy. But if I’d let my challenges and negativity get me down, I’d be stuck in that 9-5, I’d never have spent time raising my kids and I’d not be where I am now.
So we’ve got to make a choice. You’ve got to stand up and decide to take action. No more excuses. The time is now.
But I don’t know where to start, Nyckie!!
Hold up! I hear ya! When we feel like we don’t know where to start or even where we are going, we can lack clarity & confidence.
Trust me, I have absolutely been there! And let me tell you, 15 years ago there was NOTHING out there to guide me. Which is why I’m so excited to get The Childcare Flip Course out into the world. This course is where you can begin. Some might say it’s the green light you need to start thinking big.
The doors are NOW OPEN for my brand new Childcare Flip Course. I’m seeking passionate and driven childcare owners to join me. I’ll be guiding you along the journey and sharing the knowledge and tools you need to create your own profitable childcare business with ease.
We love working with children, & it is our dream to be helping families and have the freedom we desire – whether it’s time freedom, financial freedom, or just being our own boss. Let’s admit it to ourselves and declare it to the world!
Stop delaying your dreams!
For so many years I let my inner critic tell me I wasn’t good enough and that I didn’t have the skill or the passion to succeed. When I was able to switch that noise off and focus on the steps I needed to take, everything changed.
If you don’t believe in the power of your dreams, you’ll risk sitting on the sidelines your entire life. You risk never seeing your dreams turn to reality.
Sign up today & start getting the right help to get your business to the next level so you can see your dreams turn into reality.
Before you head off, don’t forget that there’s already some free support available to you. We have an active community of like-minded childcare business owners over on Facebook, because I know that being a home daycare provider sometimes gets lonely. So connect with other childcare owners – it’s a total game changer! Gain strategies and tips to move your childcare business forward by joining a community! 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. 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!
I know it’s so hard at this time of year juggling the business and family commitments… So I’m just popping by to remind you why it’s important to prioritize your family and to cherish this time of year. We’ll never get the holidays perfect and that is a-ok! But what we should put our time and energy into is being present with our nearest and dearest.
The days are short and the nights are long, but the years are flying by. Now is the time to really enjoy the presence of your family! It’s the end of the calendar year and it’s our last chance to truly slow everything down and spend that quality time with our loved ones.
I know we have all the things to do at home and at the daycare too, but let’s not forget what’s truly important.
Why spending time with your family matters
I don’t think I need to explain this one, but good ol’ Google likes me to spell it out! And after the last two years dealing with THE C WORD (not Christmas, the other C word!) and many of us losing family members or friends, it’s more essential than ever that we cherish the time we have.
We all work so hard throughout the rest of the year, ensuring we make ends meet. Which means an awful lot of our time is spent away from our loved ones and instead caring for those of others. “But I run a home day care” – so what?! Even if you have a home daycare you’re still spending a massive amount of time with family that isn’t yours. And that has a huge impact, meaning less time with our own families.
It’d be super easy to be negative and focus on what you’ve missed out on because of work. So forget that! That’s not my vibe! We’re here for moving forward and focusing on the positive. What can we do to make it better? Well…
Take time out of the business
It might sound obvious, but taking time out from your day-to-day business shenanigans to spend time with loved ones is key to your mental health. Constantly working is a sure-fire way to head straight to Burnout Central and trust me, you don’t wanna go there.
So when we have these opportunities to recalibrate, we should snap them up. Often we see it as a hindrance, like the holiday season is here to get in the way of our goals. But I promise you that some time out for family and to cherish moments with them won’t be wasted.
Spend time with family, but also take a moment to reflect
I’d like to encourage you not only to spend some quality time with family, but also to pause and reflect for YOU.
By taking the time to focus inward, on ourselves, it’s almost like hitting “reset”. You’ve worked your socks off this year and some reflection time is necessary. What’s gone really well for you and your business this year? What would you like to make more time for? What would you like to do less of?
Don’t forget to make some space for self-care – take those daytime baths, catch up on your book club’s latest, pop on some old records and dance. If you’re a person of faith then perhaps you’ll spend a bit of time reflecting spiritually too.
I’d suggest that you go for some wintery walks – no podcast or chat, just you and the outdoors. Be mindful and see what you notice – sights, smells, sounds… – it’s incredible what you miss when you’re in a rush to be somewhere!
Be in the moment
Take this time to be in the moment, enjoy it, appreciate it, because we never know when we won’t have that time again and ought not take it for granted. Take it from me, you’ve got to cherish this time of year. Each and every moment you spend with them is a memory you can hold onto.
Try to turn off your screens – laptops, iPhones, iPads…and make eye contact with those that you love. Play games, enjoy home-cooked food, be silly! Hug each other (if it’s safe to do so!) and take walks together. Savour reading out jokes and catching up, or snuggling up on the sofa and watching a cheesy holiday movie! Maybe bake some cookies or work together making decorations.
However you choose to spend the time…
…Don’t forget to cherish this time of year, Ninja!
It’s that time of the year when we need to go against the grain and slooooooooow right down! If you’re feeling that stress of rushing around buying food or presents…here’s your permission slip to take a deep breath.
Breathe in. Breathe out. And slow down.
Choose what matters most, right now at this moment, and I promise you all that other stuff and nonsense can wait.
However, if you’re feeling a little lonely this holiday season, try getting connected with other childcare owners. There’ll be other daycare owners in the same boat, and they’d love to hang out online with you. That’s why I set up my Facebook group, it’s a place where you can meet like-minded childcare business owners.
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. 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!
This week I want to talk about that feeling you get when everything is weighing you down and you’re considering closing your daycare. How do you breathe life back into your childcare business when it feels hopeless?
Don’t worry, Ninja, I got you! There have been several moments during my 15 years running multiple childcares when I’ve gotten overwhelmed, and had a load of bad luck, and then felt like throwing in the towel. But I’m still here! And nowadays I’m teaching other women how to thrive too!
So, how can you revive your passion for your childcare business again? How can you fall back in love with it and make it work better for you, with less stress and more success?
I’m gonna help you figure this out by sharing some tips which will keep your business going, even when you feel like giving up.
Why do we sometimes feel like giving up?
My goodness. It sometimes can feel hugely overwhelming running your own business and when you throw in the additional stresses of a pandemic, families struggling, and a lack of community, it’s not surprising many of us have felt this way!
Maybe you’ve had some emails that haven’t felt good, or a team member drop out, or a supplier let you down… It’s all A LOT, right?! And it’s hard because we don’t talk about this enough! We are constantly reminded that running a childcare business isn’t all sunshine and rainbows, is it?! Sometimes we just need space to discuss our issues and press reset.
You have such a huge impact on the local community and are a lifeline for some families. You being open supports the families of your team. It’s a lot of responsibility. But it can be such a struggle! Sometimes the journey can feel super lonely. It can be extremely frustrating. There’s sometimes a feeling that things have stagnated and you are a bit bored.
So here’s a few tips for how you can breathe life back into your childcare business. I’ve created a method called CPR for your childcare business especially for you! Let’s go, Ninja!
Connect the dots
Before you start panicking, shoving a “closed” sign up, and putting all your childcare stuff on ebay, you need to take a deep breath. Yes, sometimes it is HARD. Often it’s tricky to juggle it all. But once upon a time, this was your dream business and there’s no reason why it can’t be again!
So let’s reconnect the dots! What was your original dream around being a childcare business owner? What was your why?! Does that still resonate now?
Most of the time we assume we know what we are missing in our business, what we ought to be doing… but we haven’t really done an audit and investigated fully. Instead, we find ourselves running round in circles after shiny objects, like new tools or apps.
And without actually sitting down and taking stock of all this stuff, to actually look at connecting the dots of where we are and how we want things to be, it can be a waste to chase those ‘hacks’. By taking time to dive in deeper you’ll see what you really need vs. what you assume you need. You’ll notice where there are gaps in your processes and what actually needs to be done.
Plan for success
Create a plan for what you actually need to get the results you want to see. Sometimes we’ve been so long working INSIDE our childcare businesses that we lose sight of the bigger picture. Take some time to zoom out and remember what it is we’re wanting to achieve.
Look at the legacy you want to leave behind. How are you going to make that happen? Consider switching things up a little in your plan. Remember that it’s okay to change your mind from the original plan you had all those years ago.
Revise your strategies
So you’ve looked at the bigger picture and has some time to reflect on what you really want… Now it’s time to put together a strategy to help you achieve your goals. What are all the little steps – the tactics – you’ve got to take to get there? Perhaps it’s automation, perhaps it’s training, or perhaps it’s something else!
Once you’ve got these listed out, you’ll be able to see that your childcare business is not beyond resurrection. In fact far from it. You’ve just got to reignite that passion inside you again.
You can watch this week’s YouTube video all about how to resurrect your childcare business right now!
Reach out and breathe life back into your childcare business!
Earlier on I mentioned loneliness and frustration, and these things are rarely remedied when you continue working all by yourself. Your team can’t fully comprehend the weight of responsibility on your shoulders or the burden of running a childcare business. So what can you do to feel better?
I have EXACTLY what you need! I have a community of like-minded childcare business owners who GET IT! They know where you’re at, and totally understand that feeling of “what’s the point?!” But they’ve got through it TOGETHER. Come join us, share the burden and find some joy and reciprocity over in my free Facebook group.
Getting connected with other childcare owners is a HUGE game changer!
Gain strategies and tips to move your childcare business forward by joining a community! That’s why I set up my Facebook group, where you can hang out with like-minded and aspirational daycare owners. 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. 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!
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!
