by admin | Feb 3, 2022 | Blog, Uncategorized
When you’re running a smaller childcare business, it can feel like a gargantuan task to find a great new team member. We often look around at these big chains offering the world to new staff, and think we can’t do it. However, you can 100% compete for the best team members if you think outside the box.
Take a look at the benefits and practicalities that your smaller day care brings to the table. What can you offer that those bigger less personable chains can’t?
Have a read and make a note of all the unique ways you can market your business to potential employees…
Compete for the best team members BECAUSE you’re smaller
Being a smaller employer isn’t a bad thing. For the staff member, they’re going to get more attention and support. When they need a hand figuring something out, they can ask a real human in real time, not just send an email to HR.
Make sure your current team feel valued and are singing your praises outside of work. They are your ambassadors, so nurture them and say thank you!
Talk about the team you already have to prospective new employees. When you’re doing a tour, showcase your team’s talents. Potential new team members will love that you’re able to name and highlight the skills your team bring. That personal touch matters. And they’ll recognize that their efforts won’t be diluted and their endeavours will be more noticeable to leaders. Which is a huge positive!
Flexibility is a massive plus!
Being smaller has other advantages too! The fact that you haven’t got hundreds of employees to juggle means that you can be more flexible in your rotas and this might allow new team members to work around their other responsibilities.
It’s often something that people applying for jobs in childcare are afraid to bring up because they’ve been shot down before. Pre-empt that conversation by demonstrating to them how flexible your day care schedule is. Maybe you offer split shifts that allow your workers to collect their kids from school and then come back to work later on, or you have capacity for them to bring theirs with them. So I highly recommend that you give examples of how it can benefit everyone.
I’d suggest asking your current team about the benefits they’d like to see, offering it to them and then recruiting with these offers! Market the benefits of flexible working and call in those marvellous humans who always got the extra mile.
Offer different perks to compete for the best team members
While you might not be able to offer amazing healthcare insurance, a 401(k) plan or other expensive benefits that the big dogs can, you can do better! Don’t get caught up in “but I can’t”! Instead think outside the box. What can you seek out as perks to offer your staff?
Use your local connections and great networking skills to bring alternatives to the table. Small things that are important to people. Do you ensure they get a homecooked meal like the kids in the daycare? Or perhaps some veggies to take home to their families from the garden each week? Maybe you can pay their monthly cell phone bill? Would they benefit from a local gym membership? How about a pre-paid gas card?
Something I’ve seen a bit more of recently is pampering for your team. Do your team love getting their nails done, or do they need more relaxation time? How about a monthly massage?
Don’t underestimate the different perks you can offer. And when you’ve figured it out, shout about them from the rooftops!
When it comes to choosing a job, I know from my own experience – and from my team telling me – it’s not always about the money. Often people are looking for roles that allow them flexibility and support, while using all their skills and valuing them as members of the team. It’s not unheard of for people to leave a well-paid and benefits-rich job to go and do something they’re passionate about that gives them creativity and a chance to grow around their family responsibilities.
So now you’ve finished reading this, have you written down some ideas? What can your lil ol’ daycare offer to entice (and sustain!) new fabulous All Star team members?!
Don’t forget!
If you’re looking to sort out your childcare marketing this year, you’re in the right place! I’m hosting a FREE webinar next week which is going to revolutionize how you’re feeling about marketing your childcare biz.
Sometimes being a home daycare provider can feel pretty isolated and massively overwhelming. Getting connected with other childcare owners is a 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!
by admin | May 27, 2021 | Blog, Uncategorized
None of us go into the childcare business lightly. And we certainly don’t tend to enter this industry if we lack passion for children and families! We love the kids we work with, right? To a point, the job itself is a reward. But what are the other rewards of being a childcare business owner?
There are plenty of reasons —outside of the families we work with— that make owning a childcare business awesome. I wanted to share them with you because I think sometimes being a childcare owner is underrated and underestimated! Not only do we get to have fun occasionally, but the potential to make more than just a decent living.
So what are the top 5 rewards of being a childcare business owner? Read on to find out…
Reward 1: Family
I’d bet my bottom dollar that you and I both share our why. Is your raison d’être family too? My family was the the spark that lit the fire in my belly and kept me pushing through the challenges. As a single parent, I knew I needed to build a stable life for them. I wanted to be at all of their sports games, attend every recital — I didn’t want to miss a thing! And because I started my day care instead of slaving away in a low wage desk job, I was able to do just that! I could treasure family time.
Coming back to your why is incredibly powerful. When you have a strong why, you have the strength to persevere. You have a motivator that makes you try that little bit harder! If you haven’t watched these two TED talks, here and here, I highly recommend you do.
I honestly believe that starting your own day care business gives you the flexibility and freedom you deserve to have with your family. I want that flexibility for you too, Ninja! Which leads me nicely to the second reward of being a childcare owner…
Reward 2: Flexibility
Being able to enjoy your family and put them front and center is top of the agenda, but to do more of that we need more time. And that is a huge factor that you can gain once your childcare business is up and running.
Y’all know that time is precious. In fact it’s the most priceless commodity we have. What would you give to gain more time with your family, and doing the things you love? Of course there are challenges to get to the stage where you’ve got more free time, but when you get there it tastes so sweet! Trust me!
In my Facebook group you’ll find that I’ve shared how I overcame the challenges to get to where I am today. Do you want flexibility too?
Reward 3: Financial freedom
Here’s the tea: It’s hard to get wealthy just with a job by itself. When I was working my 9-5, the thing that stood out to me was that I earned a set wage. I could work harder and be more productive with my time, but it would still be the same. If I was lucky I’d maybe get a 3-5% increase and the odd bonus on occasion. I didn’t want to be stuck in a job I hated struggling to get by, knowing that my daughters were missing out on the things they wanted.
When I started my childcare business (almost 15 years ago!) this is something I desperately wanted and needed! I barely thought about anything else but FREEDOM! So, I wonder if you dream of FREEDOM? Freedom to set your own schedule? Freedom to take time off knowing your income isn’t just relying on you? Freedom to spend money on what matters, when it matters? Freedom to go to your kids school events without asking for time off?
Earning more and having these opportunities has been another wonderful benefit of being a childcare owner. With hard work and self-belief, my business grew and became more successful. Holidays, nice clothes, or a spacious home weren’t an option before I started my biz.
I’m here reminding you today that it’s really possible to OWN your finances! YOU can determine your income. If I can do it, I know you can too. You got this!
Reward 4: Legacy
One of the biggest reasons I started this business was to leave a legacy for my girls. I wanted to create something amazing that I could pass down to my children. Something that they can inherit and build upon. Something successful that enables them to live a fulfilling life that they love too!
I am driven by a passion to pass on generational wealth, which is POWERFUL. Particularly as women. And even more so if you’re a woman of color. These things matter! Leaving a legacy is a massive reward of being a childcare owner.
Dunno about you, but I never want my kids to burn out working a depressing 9-5. I don’t want to see them busting their gut all day long just to put food on the table. I want more for my kids. Don’t you?
Do you have a legacy to leave to your children yet, Ninja?
Reward 5: Empower women
It is an absolutely amazing feeling when you get to a stage in your business where you literally have EVERYTHING you want. The house, the car, the money, the freedom, flexibility…I mean EVERYTHING just falls into place. The peace of mind, the security — it’s nothing short of life-changing. As my business shifted a few years back to this new place in the grand plan, I just knew I had to give back. I had to pay it forward so other women could also live a life like this!
My team is made up of brilliant women. I love working with them and providing them with the tools they need to excel. But I craved being able to help more women. Women like you. Women with a dream of something bigger. It’s why I began working on group programmes and now I’m opening my Ninja membership – so I can support more women to achieve what I’ve done!
Which rewards of being a childcare owner are you looking forward to most?
It is an absolutely amazing feeling when you get to a stage in your business where you literally have EVERYTHING you want. The house, the car, the money, the freedom, flexibility…I mean EVERYTHING just falls into place. The peace of mind, the security, it’s life-changing.
As my business shifted to this place I knew I had to give back. I had to pay it forward so other women could also live a life like this! This is why I have created my Club membership for Childcare Ninjas. It is all the learning you need to start and grow your childcare business, all the inspiration, motivation, and kick in the butt you need to keep going, and it is direct access to me so you are not alone.
I am also offering the Founding Members lifetime access at this incredible price of just $28 per month!
Yaaassssssssssssssss!! You did indeed read that correctly!! You ought to snap this incredible offer up pronto! We kick off on 1st June so hurry scurry now! Invest in yourself as a founding member…
