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 | Jan 29, 2021 | Blog, Uncategorized
This week my blog post isn’t so much about strategy, but reflecting and sharing on the freedoms of being a Childcare boss. This is certainly one of my most favorite perks of being a Childcare Business Owner!I’m guessing that you wanted to become a childcare business owner because you dreamed of helping families but I bet there’s another key reason – you wanted freedom and flexibility!
I want to share with you what I mean by “freedom” and why it matters, and how I got to a place where I had room to breathe and space to fill with things other than work!
It started with a chat…
Last week I was talking with some of my girl friends, and we were all sharing how things are going for us. You know, the kind of chat where everyone has a little boast but usually backs it up with something silly that’s happened? And we were all laughing about whatever it was my friend said. Along the lines of how busy the store was and how she wishes she could go at a different time. She doesn’t want to do it when every other working mom is in there buying her groceries!
I grimaced. It’s fair to say that sometimes I really do tease my friends that I have the luxury of freedom when it comes to making my own schedule. I can do what I want, when I want. At least most of the time, anyway! So I piped up, “You probably oughta start a Childcare, because I get to go to Walmart or the grocery store early in the morning, when everyone else is on their daily commute!”. I got a couple of eye rolls and a “maybe I will!” hollered back at me!
How is it possible?
Having my Childcares all running smoothly, with my team in place – like a fine-oiled machine! Which has given me the freedom that my old 9-5 didn’t. Gone are the days where I needed permission to take my mother to a doctor’s appointment! I no longer have to wait for my holidays to come before I can take a day off. So when I’m in need of some time to myself, I can just note it in my calendar and things carry on without me for a day.
I don’t need to be “on” 24/7
One of the major blessings I’ve been given is that I’m not always needed in any of the facilities nowadays. I can make my own schedule. I don’t always have to be hands-on deck, and I don’t need to be in the office all the time – they’ve got that covered!
It’s truly one of the best perks about being a Childcare boss, I’m very appreciative and very grateful. However, I also know that I’ve worked hard to get to this point and it didn’t start out this way!
Freedom works both ways
When we’re thinking about freedom, we tend to think about freedom to have time off. But on the flipside, it means we’ve got the capacity to be the helping hand to others when it’s needed. Recently, one of my team members needed to take time off short notice for an appointment. I had the freedom to cover her, so I said, “no biggie”, and was able to pop into the facility while she was out. When she got back I headed off again to do my own thing.
How did I get to this stage of freedom?
This perk of being a childcare business owner didn’t come immediately. Don’t be fooled into thinking that overnight I created a crazy successful business and suddenly took days off and long lunches and spa trips. Nope.
Freedom has come about with hard graft. It’s been possible because of the systems I’ve put in place (y’all know I love a system!). Creating freedom through the investments I made when it came to training my staff. Now they can run the day care centers without me. And you’d better believe that I’ve also taken time, energy and spent money on coaching. Mostly to fix my mindset around controlling every little thing! (Clue: you don’t have to!)
Put the foundations in sooner rather than later
Taking those steps early on in your business will give you freedom to do other things later on. What will you do with all that freedom? Maybe you’ll develop a second childcare center or perhaps you’ve got hobbies you’d like to pursue? I can think of thousands of ways you could use that flexibility! I bet you can too!
Now, I didn’t write this blog post to show off (although I’m proud of what I’ve achieved and have the audacity to say so!). I wrote it to show you how it’s possible for you too! I’m so thankful and grateful for the freedom being a childcare business owner gives me. And I want you to have that freedom as well!
In case you’re looking to grow as a childcare business owner, I thought I’d let you know about my latest program! The doors are open to my group coaching program “The Simple Childcare Ownership Program”!
This 10-week coaching program is perfect for you, if you…
🟣 Believe working with children is fulfilling, and there’s no other job in this world that you would rather do!
🟣 Are ready to step into your power and develop your leadership skills.
🟣 Want to make the ultimate change and start the childcare business of your dreams, so you can live life on your terms.
🟣 Are fed up on the 9-5 rat race and want finances and flexibility
🟣 Are tired of getting in your own way and READY to start your Childcare boss journey
IT’S TIME FOR YOU TO BECOME THE CHILDCARE BOSS YOU’VE ALWAYS WANTED TO BE AND BREATHE LIFE INTO YOUR DREAMS “THE SIMPLE CHILDCARE OWNERSHIP PROGRAM“!
The first 2021 Program kicks off Monday, February 15 @ 8pm EST. We’ll be having weekly training with me Nyckie B in my private Facebook group with 2 weeks for implementing everything you’re learning. On the program I’ll be covering:
✨ MINDSET & GOAL PLANNING ✨ LICENSING & REGISTRATION ✨ FABULOUS FINANCES ✨ PROGRAM & CURRICULUM ✨ OUTSTANDING OPERATIONS ✨BUILDING A TERRIFIC TEAM ✨ MARKET LIKE A NINJA ✨ BUILD YOUR LEGACY
Sound good? You can sign up right now! Just click here.
If the program isn’t for you, I’d still love to invite you to join us in the Childcare Ninja Facebook group where we’re all sharing ideas and learning from each other. We are an army of childcare professionals who are honing ninja-sharp skills to transform our businesses into childcare empires! This is Childcare Ownership all Grownup! Interested in becoming a part of the community? Join us for more tips on how to make your childcare business the success it deserves to be! And don’t forget to follow us on Instagram!
