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!
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!
Hands up if an onboarding system has slipped down your To Do list? I know so many childcare business owners who are winging it on this front. You have people knocking on your door before you’ve had a chance to create a team to take care of the kids! Sometimes this leads to panic hiring, and – let’s be honest – this is a disaster for everyone!
Rushing to fill the gaps in your team is nearly always a mistake. You want to have time and space to find the right fit, and having a great onboarding system will make this easier! And we’re in the final quarter of 2021 and 2022 is looming, so now is the time to sort it out!
Let’s do this, Ninja! I want to share with you my expertise on how to create an onboarding system that helps your new team members settle in but that also keeps you on top of the paperwork you must do!
What is an onboarding system?
This is the processes you have in place for hiring someone new for your childcare team.
Firstly there’s the hunt for people to interview. Then there’s the picking the right people for interviewing. After that there’s the actual interviews…and that’s followed by all the legal paperwork that needs to be completed. And once they’re hired, it’s important that you nurture them so that they stick around and help you grow your business through consistency!
It can be a whole lot to deal with, so I want to help you as much as possible.
Why do we need an onboarding system?
In this industry we have a ton of rules and regulations to follow when it comes to bringing a new member of staff onboard. There are legal requirements that must be adhered to and we cannot afford any errors. The state needs us to have certain things, wherever you’re based!
And actually it’s not just about the legalities…it’s about saving you time and money! Hiring the right team member in the first round rather than third time lucky will make a huge difference to your business. You want to make sure the onboarding system includes elements that brings the right person into your business.
Hiring a team can be hard!
Hiring is one of the hardest parts of running a childcare business. Where can you find your dream team?! Make sure you’ve got your job description sorted out, you’ll want to head out and start looking for those new key players. Obviously you can use the internet to place a job ad. You can look on Indeed, Craigslist…there’s a tonne of other places to put your job description on there. Set up a Facebook page where potential staff can come to you and you can let local people know that you’re hiring right now.
I’d recommend using a mix of digital and traditional in your search for the perfect team! “Help Wanted” signs still have a place. Word of Mouth is still great too, so make sure you tell parents and the current team that you’re looking for help. And I know I’ve found some great extra help from teachers who are looking for some additional income over the summer holidays. Plus you might have some newly qualified trade school students in your area who are looking for some work.
You can ensure that your interviews go well by having a set list of questions that are really tailored to your daycare. It’s no good having generic questions, because your business is different and unique to you. Make sure that your questions reflect that and are open enough to allow your interviewees to feel at ease so they can answer to their best ability. I’d also recommend including an orientation session and maybe a “meet the team”, so you can get the team’s feedback.
Also, this process is as much about you as it is about them. You want to be giving the right signals to your potential new team member. How do you want to come across? What do you want to be known for? Remember the old adage: people remember not what you say but how you make them feel.
File your paperwork!
Unless you love having really difficult conversations (or WORSE receiving citations!) from the inspectors, you must make sure all the forms get filed properly!!
It’s very easy to forget what has or hasn’t been done, so the best thing to do is – you guessed it! – create a process!
Checking off things the list as we get them done will help us keep track of where we’re at. In order to do that properly, it’s great to sit down and think the process through. Consider all the steps like how are we getting the people in our doors, getting paperwork filled out, training, and getting them used to your children, parents, and the rest of the team.
Bringing them into your business
Once you’ve hired your new team member – a newbie or someone who’s done it before – you want to get them settled in. Give them time to learn the processes and routines. Let them get to know their new colleagues and the kids and parents.
It’s important to make their probation as positive an experience as possible, so that they want to stay. It’ll save you time, money and energy if you can retain your new team members and not have to go through the hiring process over and over again.
Watch my video to find out more about how I create my onboarding system!
I hope your takeaway from this is that you need to get an actual process in place! One that’s written down and ideally in a checklist form, because it definitely helps things flow easier! Trust me on that!
if you haven’t already, So I really want to encourage you to set that up your onboarding system in the next few weeks. To help you get started, go and download my FREE ‘Hiring and Onboarding for Success’ guide.
Tell me in the comments…Do you have any onboarding tips? What works for you?
Join us over on Facebook for more tips on how to make your childcare business the success it deserves to be! You can hang out with like-minded and aspirational daycare owners. Or if you prefer Instagram, we share inspiration, 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!
One of the most scary things about starting a daycare is the childcare paperwork. I remember that just the thought of it 15 years ago would give me the heebie-jeebies. But it really doesn’t have to be that way!
By figuring out what will help you stay organized and what works for you, you can get into a rhythm sooner rather than later.
I totally get it! It all feels overwhelming and the fear is eating you up and causing you to procrastinate! And that’s why my focus this week is on helping prevent you from becoming a slave to the childcare paperwork!
Start now, not later
For so long, I didn’t implement systems into my business. I was literally coming in to work everyday with zero plans for my day, living on a wing and a prayer. So I was struggling, because like good old Benjamin Franklin said, “those who fail to plan, plan to fail”.
As my business started growing, it became harder and harder to keep up with the ever increasing amount of childcare paperwork . I knew that if I didn’t get control of it soon, I was really going to be headed for a disaster. This is why it became so important for me to figure out what I could create or learn, to keep my paperwork in order, simple.
And we all know that when it comes to paperwork, getting it right sooner is definitely better than later. So start now!
Avoid being a copycat
The first thing I did was start researching what other people were doing to see why they could make it work. Long story short – I couldn’t. I tried to copy their methods but it just didn’t work for me! It was a game changer realizing that I had to do what worked for me…period.
There is no one size fits all when it comes to childcare paperwork. Everyone is different! However, the more options I had at my disposal, the easier it became for me to figure out what my paperwork “style” was. I give some tips and ideas in this week’s Youtube episode to help you fill your arsenal. But keep in mind that whatever system you use to take control of your paperwork, it has to work for you, so find one that comes natural to you.
Don’t force someone else’s style onto yourself! It will never work for the long-haul. And I’m sure you’re in this childcare game for the long-haul too right?!
Write down the essentials
Ok, so you need paper, a pen, and a Sharpie for this bit! Start by writing down the different areas of your business and begin formalizing your systems!
Grab your copy of your state’s childcare regulations and go through it checking the statutory paperwork required. Every state is different, but most will have similar things: procedures, agreements, forms… All things that are needed to keep the kids in your care safe.
Then you need to think about what paperwork YOU need for running your business. Payments, marketing, taxes, facility maintenance, etc. all need their own paperwork! So if you write it all down you can get clear on where to start. You’re also going to need paperwork to help your team stay at the top of their game. Get all of this written out and then you can begin with the organization!
Use back-to-school stationery
I’m a big fan of back-to-school shopping and I used to love helping my kids get organized for school! But don’t forget about all those everyday essentials when it comes to organizing your childcare paperwork. You can use stationery to help you stay on top of the seemingly endless mountain!
Once you’ve written out a list of all the different areas of your business and figured out state requirements, you need to start files. You might be a folder file kinda person, but I’m a binder woman myself! I like the way you can have dividers to separate out different sections. Use pockets for checklists and making sure the binder has everything you need in it. Smaller binders work well if you have one for each child. I use a larger heavy duty lever arch one for my finances!
Keeping all your paperwork for each area of your business separate makes it easier to find things! Label the sides of your folders really clearly so you can just grab them straight off the bookshelf.
Hopefully you can see that taking everyday back-to-school supplies and implementing them into your paperwork system works! Sorting out the paperwork side of running your childcare business doesn’t have to stress you out. It may take you a little trial and error to figure out what is best for you but I believe that sharing this info will give you a head start on figuring that out. For more tips on systems and getting organized, head here.
Hop over to my Youtube channel for even more information to help you set up your childcare business for success! Of course while you’re there be sure to SUBSCRIBE and grab my FREE Back-to-school supplies checklist!
If you want to hang out with like-minded and aspirational childcare business owners, come and get involved in the community over on Facebook! 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!
If you asked me what’s one thing I wish I’d had when I was setting up as a childcare business, it’d be a simple step-by-step guide. A guide of the things I needed to do to ensure my day care was legal, marketable and (most importantly!) AWESOME. Because when I set up 15 years ago, I had to make it up as I was going along.
So I spent years learning the ropes and figuring it out solo! It dawned on me that maybe I could create a road map for new childcare business owners. Read on to find out more!
Wishing on a star
At the time I set up, I had no such thing. I was absolutely winging it. I remember wishing that someone – a local mentor, a kind stranger, God…whoever! – might give me a hand figuring it all out. Setting up as a childcare business owner was something I wanted and needed to do, but a guide would’ve been super helpful!
So instead of you having to do the same thing, I set up Childcare Ninjas! I want to support you on your journey. My mission is to help Childcare Ninjas (like you!) build a 6-figure business you love, so you can live life on YOUR terms. No sitting, waiting, wishing for you!
Congratulations on the best decision of your life!
A couple of weeks ago I was talking to a friend about pivotal moments in our lives. Hers was pretty huge but tainted with regret. Mine, however, was full of positivity. Can you guess what it was, Ninja? That’s right! Mine was taking the leap to build my own day care business. Doing that gave me the security I so badly needed, but also the freedom I craved. I was then able to raise my babies AND be of service in my community, in a job that I adore!
So huge congratulations on making the decision to start your own childcare business! This is honestly going to be the best business decision you’ll ever make. Welcome to the magical world of autonomy and being your own boss! This is a role that will give you all the creativity, flexibility and financial security you’ve been yearning for!
Reminder: this is not an easy option
Now, before you let anyone tell you otherwise, setting up as a childcare business is not an easy ride. It is damned hard work in the beginning. The list of things to do can seem endless and the hoops you’ve got to jump through feel frustrating. There’s no getting round the fact that it isn’t all sunshine and rainbows.
However, it doesn’t have to be a miserable journey! I am here to make it SIMPLE for you, and I am here to SUPPORT you. Truth being told, if you want to run a successful childcare business, you need the right information from someone that has already walked that road. Oh hello! That’d be me!
I want to help you create a plan of action and get crystal clear on why you’re setting up as a childcare business. Because once you’ve nailed your why, everything else feels a little less draining! Like Jiminy Cricket, let me be your guide…
Knowing WHY you’re setting up as a childcare business
It might sound a little silly, but your why really does matter. And here’s a clue: it can’t be “to make millions”. Why? Because – although that’s nice and all – when things go wrong, as they no doubt will somewhere along the way, that isn’t a strong enough reason to persevere.
Your why is key to giving you strength to keep going. I love this TED talk by Stacey Abrams, where she explains that without having a clear reason that drives you, “the ‘do’ is meaningless”. And I know things might get hard if others stop believing in you and they might even try to tell you to stop chasing your dreams. Going back to your why time and time again will motivate you and help you block out the naysayers!
Practicalities are boring but necessary!
There’s so much to think about when you’re setting up as a childcare business. Where will you run the business? From home or another location? Who’s your target market? Will you have a team to support you? What are the legal things you need to know?! So many questions. And by all means, you can Google each one of them every time a question pops up.
And so much of it is dull, right? When can you just look after the kids and help them grow into awesome human beings?! To get to the fun bit, there’s a few necessary bridges to cross first: licensing and getting registered, setting up systems, finding your families…
But having a practical plan to figure all of this out would be helpful wouldn’t it? I know I wish I’d been given some sort of guide instead of living on a wing and prayer!
Step-by-step guide to getting started
When I first decided to offer childcare in my home around my job as an admin for a small church, I hadn’t a clue what I was doing. I knew I wanted to have the chance to spend time with my daughters and earn a living at the same time.
When I sat down to think of what my Ninjas truly need to set up their businesses, I realised that they need what I never had! So I created a guide to give you what you need to get started. It’s exactly what I wish someone had given me all those years ago.
This guide explains how to start your own childcare, from choosing your logo and choosing a location, to licensing and registration, choosing our team, and managing your day-to-day operations. It’s all broken down for you, and all in one place! No more Googling every. Darned. Thing. It’s insanely simple!
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!
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!
