by admin | Oct 19, 2026 | Blog, Uncategorized
Ninja, have you ever answered a staff question and thought, “Didn’t we go over this last week?”
Where do supply requests go? Who follows up after a tour? Which message gets sent when a parent asks about enrollment?
You answer, get back to work, and hear the same question again two days later.
Congratulations. Your brain has become the company search engine.
And apparently, it’s open twenty-four hours.
Today’s affirmation gives us somewhere better to put that energy:
“I lead with clarity, not chaos. God is giving me the discipline to build systems that protect my peace, multiply my impact, and make room for the freedom I deserve.”
Let’s bring those words into your actual workday.
Find the task that keeps tapping you on the shoulder
When childcare owners hear “build systems,” it can sound like another enormous project. New software. A weekend at the laptop. A binder thick enough to qualify as furniture.
Start smaller.
Look for something you repeat often enough to be tired of explaining it.
Maybe you rewrite the same enrollment response every week. Maybe staff tell you about missing supplies in the hallway, through a text, and on a sticky note that disappears before lunch.
Pick one task with a clear beginning and ending. “Fix communication” is too broad. “Create one place for routine supply requests” is something you can finish.
Your first system should solve a problem you can point to.
Give the task four clear answers
A useful system helps someone know what to do without having to track you down.
It needs four things:
- A trigger: What starts the task?
- An owner: Who handles it?
- A method: What steps do they follow, and where?
- A finish line: How does everyone know it’s complete?
Let’s use routine classroom supplies.
The trigger is noticing an item has reached its agreed reorder level. The classroom lead adds it to one shared request list. The designated supply person reviews that list on a set day, checks existing stock, and follows your purchasing approval process. The request gets marked complete when the item is restocked.
Urgent shortages still need a clear way to reach the director immediately.
Now compare that with “Let me know when you need something.”
One gives your team a process. The other gives you twelve conversations and a mystery about who ordered the paper towels.
Build it while you do it
You don’t have to remember every detail at a blank computer screen.
The next time you complete your chosen task, capture the steps as you go. Write a short checklist. Save the message you keep retyping. Take a screenshot showing where the information belongs.
Use words your team actually uses.
“Add the item, quantity, and classroom to the supply list” is easier to follow than a paragraph about inventory optimization.
Then put the instructions where the work happens. A closing checklist belongs where closing staff can use it. An enrollment response belongs where the person answering inquiries can find it.
A beautiful document nobody can locate will still send people straight back to your office.
Try the handoff before declaring victory
Here is the part we sometimes skip: let another person use the instructions.
Give them the checklist and ask them to walk through the task. Notice where they pause.
Did you leave out a password location? An approval step? What to do when the usual person is absent?
Those questions help you improve the system. They don’t mean the person failed.
You may discover that something you consider “obvious” only feels obvious because you’ve done it four hundred times.
Make the adjustment. Try again.
Clarity grows when you pay attention to where people get stuck.
Protect the process long enough to see results
Once you introduce a system, use it consistently yourself.
If you ask staff to enter routine requests on a shared list but keep accepting them from memory in the parking lot, the list won’t become reliable.
A simple response helps: “Please add that to our request list so it gets included.”
Then follow through on your side. Review the list when you said you would. Address gaps. A process earns trust when people see it working.
This is where the discipline in today’s affirmation becomes practical. You keep showing up for a small structure until it becomes a dependable habit.
And each dependable habit gives your attention somewhere else to go: coaching a teacher, connecting with a family, reviewing your business, or leaving work with fewer unfinished details circling your mind.
Your Ninja assignment
Ask yourself the exact question from today’s reflection:
“What recurring task can I turn into a simple system today?”
Choose one. Write its trigger, owner, method, and finish line. Test it the next time that task comes around.
You can ask God for wisdom and make room to act on it. Today, that action might be a five-line checklist that saves you from explaining the same thing next Monday.
Small enough to finish. Useful enough to repeat.
Share this with a childcare owner whose brain has been working overtime—and tell us in the comments: which recurring task are you turning into a system first?
by admin | Oct 5, 2026 | Blog
Ninja, let’s have a little heart-to-heart.
You put thought into your classrooms. You comfort little people with BIG feelings. You support your team, communicate with parents, and keep working to make your childcare business better.
Then somebody asks what makes your program special, and you say, “Oh, we just take care of kids.”
JUST?!
There is nothing small about the work you do. But if you keep minimizing it, how will the right families recognize its value?
Here’s the affirmation I want you to carry into this week:
God did not give me this vision to keep it hidden. I show up boldly, communicate my value clearly, and confidently invite the right families into the excellence I have built.
Let’s put some action behind those words!
1. Give your excellence a name
“We offer quality childcare” sounds nice. But what does that actually look like at YOUR program?
Maybe you help toddlers practice independence through daily routines. Maybe your evening hours support parents whose workday doesn’t end at five. Maybe your parent communication helps families feel connected throughout the day.
Those details give parents something they can understand and remember.
Try this simple sentence:
“We help [the families you serve] by providing [something specific you do], so they can [the benefit they experience].”
For example: “We support parents who work evenings with dependable childcare and a comforting routine, so they can focus on work knowing their children are cared for.”
Use what is true about your business. You don’t need to sound bigger than you are. You need to clearly explain why your work matters.
2. Show the work behind the promise
You don’t have to dance on camera to market your daycare. Unless that’s your thing, Ninja—then go ahead!
You DO need to help families see what you mean.
Show a thoughtfully prepared activity and explain what children practice while doing it. Share how you welcome a new family. Walk parents through your morning routine or answer a question you hear during tours.
For example, a photo of a sorting activity could say:
“Little hands, big discoveries! This activity gives children practice with colors, matching, and taking turns. We plan simple experiences with purpose.”
You can show your materials, your space, and your teaching approach without featuring children. When you do share children’s images or family feedback, follow your program’s permission and privacy practices.
The goal is to make your care visible through real examples.
3. Make the invitation easy to follow
Have you ever written a beautiful post, hit publish, and realized you never told parents what to do next?
Yep. That part matters!
Give each enrollment post one clear next step:
“Looking for care for your toddler? Message us ‘TOUR’ to ask about current openings and schedule a visit.”
Then have a response ready. Ask their child’s age, the schedule they need, and their preferred start date. Offer available tour times and send a confirmation with the address and arrival instructions.
This is where your confidence and your systems get to work together. A clear invitation opens the conversation. A reliable follow-up process helps you move it forward.
Your 15-minute visibility challenge
Before you decide you need a whole new marketing strategy, try this:
Five minutes: Write down one specific reason a family would choose your program.
Five minutes: Find a photo or example that shows that value.
Five minutes: Write a short post with one clear invitation and publish it where local families already connect with you.
Then set aside time to respond to inquiries. Visibility needs follow-through!
You can trust God with your vision and take responsibility for communicating it. Start with one honest message, one useful example, and one invitation.
Ninja, the work you do deserves to be seen. Let families get to know the care, intention, and leadership behind your doors.
Reflection question: Where can I make my childcare business more visible today?
Tell me in the comments: What is ONE thing your program does well that you’re ready to talk about more confidently?
Your Dojo. Your Systems. Your Freedom.
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!
