by admin | Feb 18, 2021 | Blog, Uncategorized
Last week I was talking about financial systems, but this week I’m focusing in on the general ones you need to have in place for your childcare business. I know I have mentioned systems before, but there’s a reason why I’m a huge advocate—THEY WORK!
When I implemented systems into my day cares, I was able to take a breath, and then begin to up my game! We’re halfway through quarter 1, and there’s still plenty of time to get around to organising your own so you can have your best year yet!
Hands up if you’re ready to get systematizing for a super successful 2021? If you’re in, read on!
What’s so great about systematizing?
What isn’t there to love about getting systems in place?! Who doesn’t want to have processes that will help you get organized and help your staff become more independent?!
Nailing your systematizing means you can take time off to relax, to follow your passions, all without guilt. No longer will you spend days out of office worrying about how everyone’s coping without you, leaving your cell phone on just in case. You’ll be able to take a deep breath and walk out of the day care center knowing that you’ve got things covered!
It’s good for everyone if you can de-stress — your staff will feel more empowered and valued and your business is bound to flourish! I’d love to encourage you to plan and brainstorm around creating your systems for a successful 2021.
Why start now?
We’re mid-February which I know is only a short month, but we’ve still got plenty of time! This really is the best time to start putting systems in place if you haven’t yet got around to it because we’re still early on in the year.
So I’d love to encourage you to start the year strong, you’ve probably already created your vision for the year and set your goals so systems come next to turn those into action steps. It’s an ideal time to do it at the beginning of the year as we have other planning going on as well so it makes sense to take some time and brainstorm.
Assess what you’ve already got in place
Look at what you have in place right now, what’s not working, how you’d like to see it work in 2021 and begin making changes.
Break down all the steps and processes that you have in place, adding in the things you’d like to improve. Now you’ve got a plan and a sort of flow chart to guide you through each area of your business. If you need a guide to help you with this process, download your free childcare business map here and get started building your systems.
So let’s take a step back, get some perspective and look at the systems we have in place. Note down all those little tasks – cleaning toys, writing a menu, invoicing clients…everything! What’s working? What’s not? Dig in and start making some changes.
Once you’ve got your systems all laid out, it’s time to call a staff meeting and get everyone singing from the same hymn sheet!
Up-level your organization NOW!
The systems are what’s going to help you reach your goals in 2021, the earlier the better. It’s already February, so let’s do it now! Let’s up-level those systems to create success in our Childcare business this year.
And there are so many brilliant ways you can get organized nowadays. From apps to incredible planners, you can get everything sorted out and in order! Systems don’t have to be stressful. But they can help you take your business to the next level!
So what’s stopping you from getting systems in place?
Would you like to chat with me about taking your childcare business to the next level? I’ve been where you are and I can help you grow much faster than I ever did, because I now have the road map. I’ve been coaching women like you and I have seen the progress they’ve made in a short space of time. You can too! All you have to do is book a free discovery call with me, Nyckie B here!
Come and let us know over in the Childcare Ninja Facebook group! I’m sharing tips on setting those systems up so you can actually grow your childcare business.
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 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!
by admin | Jan 22, 2021 | Blog, Uncategorized
It’s funny, sometimes in our lives or in our businesses we believe we’re in need of something in particular, but once we actually start to research or learn a bit more we realize that what we thought we needed doesn’t quite cut the mustard! And when it comes to business support, this is so common!
I’ve learned that sometimes it’s about getting the right people in your team to push you in the right direction and guide you to where you’re really trying to go. This means you need to be supported by people who can see past the initial “needs” and who can figure out what you truly need.
And 2021 is the perfect time for you to get the business support you need and not what you think you might need…! Read on to find out why this matters…
Tale of two kinds of business support
Everyday I get questions from the women I coach, and I see it a lot in my Facebook group, where they think they need one thing and actually they’re in need of something completely different! An example I’ve seen a few times is enrollments. People who think they need help with enrollment for their childcare business, but when I start to talk to them and we dive in a little deeper, it becomes clear that it’s not enrollment they need help with – it turns out to be the marketing.
I know what you’re thinking! “They’re the same thing, Nyckie!” Nuh-uh! Wrong! They’re totally not the same thing. Trust me!
What’s the difference then?!
Enrollment is a focus on the system of your families signing up to your daycare; it’s about how they book a tour or find things out. It might include getting them to complete all the paperwork, and sign permissions, fill out forms. Whereas marketing is all about how we actually call in our dream clients and bring them to our doors, and ultimately sign up to our service – whatever that looks like for you.
Can you see that they’re two very different things? So if you’re explaining to me that you need some support with enrollment then that should mean you’ve got a handful of interested families (who’ve found you through your marketing!) and you want to get them enrolled in a systematic and logical way that feels easy for them and you.
However, if you actually need to find some clients who might want to access your service, then that’s a completely different thing and we’d need to approach it differently. (Hello, marketing strategy!)
It’s okay to ask for help!
I think many of us grew up believing that to be successful we have to do things on our own. That asking for any kind of help or support is a sign of weakness. Well I’m here to tell you that actually, the key to growing your childcare business is knowing when it’s the right time to ask for some support.
As I’ve just explained, it’s kinda helpful to realize that perhaps you don’t quite know exactly what you need. So you’ve got to get better at reaching out and seeking support. It’s imperative that you learn to let go of the stigma that we associate with needing help! In the words of Elsa…Let it go!
Accept where you are in your journey
Now is the time for you to grow that asking for help muscle! Get comfortable with being able to open up and say, “hey, this is where I’m at! And this is where I’d like to be…but I’m not sure on how I get from A to B. Can you help me?”
When we begin to let go of those superwoman tendencies, it’s a helluva lot easier to get that help and move forward with our businesses! Plus there’s the added bonus of not wasting your valuable time – because who can afford that?!
Who can help you?
It’s important to acknowledge that no one on this blessed planet knows all the answers. No – not even you, Neil DeGrasse Tyson!
And that’s why it’s incredibly powerful to invest wisely in your education, developing your skills and getting some high quality coaching. There will always be someone who’s had experiences before you have because they’ve been in the game longer. As they’re further ahead, they’re able to show you how they did it, how they coped and give you strategies to make progress!
So each time you’re looking for business support, ask yourself what you really need help with. Do you really require support with enrollment? Or is it actually marketing? Who’s the best person to reach out to?
Is 2021 going to be your year of progress?
I’m sure y’all know that I’m here to help, but I have something super awesome lined up for you tomorrow. And boy oh boy is it golden! If you’re looking for support to grow your childcare business, and you’ve got tons of questions, then you don’t want to miss this!!
I’ll be hosting a free masterclass LIVE tomorrow Friday, 22nd January at 8 pm EST! Find out more here.
What’s it all about, Nyckie?
During the masterclass I’ll be sharing my journey, which has seen me go from being a single mom running a home daycare to fit in with my girls’ schedules, to now – 14 years on – where I own numerous day care centers in multiple prime locations and I am bringing in 6 figures consistently.
My childcare business gave me freedom, the chance to be around my daughters and provide for them as a single mom.
In tomorrow’s live masterclass I’ll be sharing:
🟣 Top 3 roadblocks holding you back from starting or growing your business and how to overcome them
🟣 How to use the A.S.K tool to create a 5 step plan that will get you moving towards your 90 day fast track goal
🟣 My 4 Part framework for getting started or growing a successful childcare business in 2021
If you’re ready to #ownyourfuture in 2021 then join me Friday night at 8pm and find out how to get the necessary tools to do it! Sign up to join the masterclass here.
I’d love to see you there, but if you can’t make it and would like to continue the conversation, head over to the Childcare Ninja Facebook group! 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 a part of the community? Join us for more tips on how to make your childcare business the success it deserves to be! And be sure to say hi over on Instagram!
by admin | Jan 1, 2021 | Blog, Uncategorized
If 2020 has taught us anything at all, then surely it’s that we need to be prepared for the unexpected and be as adaptable as we can be. So how can you use this knowledge to organize your finances to make you more secure?
So what I’m sharing with you today is things we can do to cover ourselves. Making sure we cover all the bases and essentials, plus investing in our childcare businesses and us. Because investing in ourselves is key to growth.
Does the word “finances” fill you with dread?
Since I’ve been running my own business, I’ve got a lot more comfortable talking about money. The ins and outs, the profit margins and invoices. I’ve written about it before over here, and in other places too!
It’s strange, because although we know how important money is, and how finances impact our lives daily, it seems that we don’t like to talk about it much. There’s definitely a touch of taboo when it comes to discussing the green stuff.
Recently, I posted about finances in my Facebook group and it turns out that not many Childcare Ninjas are feeling the topic! But what I want to change is how we view money. Because it is super clear that to become successful in your childcare business, you’ve got to get comfy with finances and the talk that comes with it.
Excuse-proofing your finances
Last year, it was very easy for many of us to make excuses around not investing in our childcare businesses, and putting off investing on ourselves. But now 2021 has arrived, and we should be able to start off on a good foot, covering ourselves so we have the finances we need to grow our businesses. This includes money for investing in ourselves and investing in our childcare businesses.
Now is not the time for excuses! So what can you do to change the way things have been going? Have you made a plan for alternative income streams? Have you got ideas for saving money?
Challenge yourself to up your finance game
Developing your childcare business this year means you’ve got to stop using the old excuse “I can’t afford it”. Take the opportunities that you’re given in 2021 to grow your business. Lean into the fear and get stuck in. Stop putting off investing. Take money as an excuse of the table. And to do that, you’ve got to set yourself up to be more secure. You need to get comfy looking at your finances. To know exactly what you need to have coming in, and some extra for investment.
I want to challenge you to sit down and create some plans on different ways you can make some extra income next year. Set a timer and write down all the possible ways you could make money. E-bay? Babysitting? Make a cup of coffee and really go for it with that list!
Think outside of the box!
What are you good at that could bring you in some side hustle money? Could you teach piano lessons or do dog walking? Could you offer odd job skills to neighbors? Perhaps you’re a dab-hand at baking and might offer your services to busy moms who haven’t got time to make that all-singing all-dancing birthday cake?
Don’t let worries about what other people might think get in the way of you trying ideas out. Marie Forleo waited tables and taught dance classes while she worked her way up to the top of her game! She talks about money myths many of us women fall into here. And doing something other than running your childcare business, so that you can have enough money to invest doesn’t make you a failure. Trust me!
Still stuck on how to excuse-proof your finances?
I have a great resource that can help you out. It offers a number of different ideas to help you get the cash you need to start your in home business, hire that coach, or purchase that course to help move you along on your journey to success.
I designed this for you because I want you to get the tools you need to get to the next level of your success quickly and I don’t want you to keep putting your success on hold because of limited funds. And I want to help you reach your success as quickly and as simply as possible because it’s about time that you started living life on your own terms! Are you with me!? Download you free ideas list here.
How do you feel about finances? Is it something you shy away from talking about? Or are you at ease in that kind of conversation?
Come and let us know over in the Childcare Ninja Facebook group! 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 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!
by admin | Dec 18, 2020 | Blog, Uncategorized
Recently I’ve been getting a lot of questions from Childcare Ninjas about how to find the perfect location for your childcare business. And it’s made me realize that actually it’s much more complicated than you might initially think.
When it comes to seeking out the ideal space and a location that suits my business needs, I’ve got a lot of experience. And it’s not merely about the place on the map! So, I’m going to share some tips with you here about how to find a place for your day care center.
Location, Location, Location!
I bet you’ve heard the phrase “location, location, location” at some point as it seems to float about a lot when someone’s opening a business. And sometimes these cliches are said often because they’re true! Yes, location really is key!
So you need to be thinking about where you’ll open your daycare. When you’re choosing a location, you’ve got to consider whether there’s a need in that specific area. Do you want it near a school or positioned in a community that serves a lot of young families? Make sure you do your research. Have a look at the shops and facilities offered in the area. Who do they cater for? Are your perceptions correct? After all, it’d be a poor business decision to locate your daycare center in a location where the older generations reside.
And while you’re contemplating a map and thinking about the socio-economics of the area, you need to simultaneously factor in your budget. Can you afford the outlay of a building in that area? Will it put strain on other elements of your business? Would it be better to rule out some of the higher end possibilities and give yourself breathing room for repairs and alterations? I’ve written more about opening your childcare on a budget here.
However, as important as the placing of your childcare setting is it’s not the only thing you’ve got to think about…
It’s not just the location that matters
The environment isn’t the only thing you ought to be thinking about when choosing a place for your business. Because when you’re running a daycare there are so many additional things you need to take into account. You can’t just choose an area you like and put down the deposit, collect the keys and expect it to be perfect. You’ve got to think about the building itself. Trust me! Because what works for one business doesn’t always work for a childcare based one.
And to find the right kind of space, I’ve found that it’s often best to start with the end in mind. So take some time to consider what you want your daycare to be like. To feel like. To look like. Create a vision. Actually sit down and map out – draw or cut and paste – a picture of what you want.
Without overthinking, trusting your intuition and gut feeling, answer some of these questions to get you started:
1. What age group do you want to serve?
2. What kind of ‘feeling’ or mood do you want to set?
3. Will you be hosting ‘courses’ or activities?
4. What ethos or values will you have and model?
Take some time out to reflect on these prompts and journal around them.
So what I’m suggesting is that the location for your childcare business isn’t the only thing to consider. Getting clear on your vision will help you to understand what kind of property you’re looking for.
A space to reflect your business
Once you’ve got clarity around what your values are and your vision for the space, you can start to look in a more logical way. For example, if you know you’re looking for an open plan space, then you can rule out properties that only have smaller rooms. If your vision includes access to an outdoor space or garden where the children can help you grow their own lunches, or explore outside, then you can eliminate the buildings that don’t have that kind of facility.
Don’t forget that the way a building is laid out has implications for ratios and the number of adults you’ll need. And the size of the rooms and total area of the floor space will impact how many children you can facilitate at one time.
There’s no right or wrong answer for what the space should look like. I know you don’t want to be a cookie-cutter daycare center. You want to stand out and let your Ninja personality shine through.
The choosing of space is as unique as you are! And no one but you will know when you’ve discovered the ideal spot for your daycare. I know that when I’ve gone hunting for the perfect daycare location and building, it’s been a whole lot quicker and less painful all-round when I’ve had a clear vision! You won’t waste time umming and aaahing about properties, and the realtor will thank you for that (and so will your family!).
Remember: Location is important, but so is the inside space!
I’m going to be talking a lot more about this in the Childcare Ninja Facebook group, so please come on in and join in the conversation! I wanna know if you’re finding it hard to seek out the perfect spot to open up your daycare.
If you enjoyed reading this and would like to get more involved, 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 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!
by admin | Dec 11, 2020 | Blog, Uncategorized
One of the things I hear on a daily basis from other childcare business owners is that they “don’t have time”. What’s the common denominator of successful entrepreneurs and CEOs? It’s that they’ve honed excellent time management skills and are great at prioritizing. So this blog is focused on why it’s important that you up-level yours!
I want to share my tips for getting better at managing your time, including an app I use that has transformed the way I prepare myself for the day ahead. How we use our time can be a total game-changer in becoming successful in Childcare Business Owners.
Read on if you’re ready to find more time and get more done!
Where are you wasting time?
First things first, you need to look at where you’re spending your time at the moment. Track what you’re doing, hour by hour, minute by minute. How long to you spend in the shower? Putting on your make-up? Getting your kids ready for school? Making pack-lunches? It’s important that you can look at where there’s time going to waste.
Note all your activities down, trying not to be too hard on yourself. Is there anything that you’re doing on the daily that could be batched? Or perhaps you’ve noticed that you’re scrolling for too long and your smartphone time is getting silly. Maybe you’ve realized that you need to spend less time watching TV. This isn’t about judging yourself harshly. It’s about noticing and making positive changes.
Time for a change in routine
Mornings are frequently where we can make changes with our time. So often it’s a time of the day when we’re rushing around like headless chickens, trying to make sure everyone is doing what they’re supposed to be doing. Mornings can be so hectic, it’s super easy to get caught up with rigmarole of the day and get ourselves overwhelmed. So if you make a single change after reading this blog post, let it be this one: allow yourself to have a morning routine.
I really want you to make a morning routine sacred in your day. When you carve out that time in the morning it helps get your day started off right and really helps you to hone in on what matters most to you.
You’ve got to give time to make time!
I know what you’re thinking, Ninja! You’re sat there, eye-rolling at this blog, right? Wondering where you’re going to find the time to plan out your time management. Oh the irony! I hear you. We’re all busy and we’ve all got mental To Do lists that are longer than the washing line. But I’m not messing around when I say this is life-changing. When you nail your morning routine, and track your time, you’re onto a winner!
Block out time as soon as possible – even if it’s over the weekend – to map out and plan your mornings. What do you want them to look like from now on? Where do your priorities lie? What kind of schedule will you set up? Can you categorize activities to make it easier? As soon as you start your new routine, you’ll quickly claw back any time spent planning, because your focus will be better and you won’t be as easily distracted because you’re sticking to a schedule.
There’s an app for that
I’m using this brilliant tool at the moment called “Seconds”. It’s an awesome app that really helps you get to grips with how you’re spending your time. It allows you to track how long you spend on different activities.
By tracking your time you can see where it’s going and you can assess whether your time is being used on priorities or being frivolously frittered away. I promise you, it’s a real eye opener! And you won’t necessarily like what it tells you…but it’s truly helping me to see where I need to spend less time and where I need to increase it. Tracking my time means I can focus on the things that are actually going to help me grow my business.
An added bonus has been that I now place more value on my time, therefore I don’t waste time doing things that won’t help me achieve my goals.
Timing your activities
The “seconds” app is helping me so much with time management, but especially when it comes to my morning routine. Each activity is allocated a set time on the app. For example, I set it to give me 15 minutes to workout, 20 minutes to shower, 15 minutes for reading and I allow myself a much needed 30 minutes of meditation and prayer.
Sticking to a time for every task and being mindful and motivated to follow your routine means you begin to see things differently. You’ll discover you aren’t as laid back about what you’re spending time doing and become more intentional and protective of your time. When I started attaching tasks and time together, that time became more important to me as it was now scheduled in.
Other ideas to up your time management game
As well as the “seconds” app and creating a morning routine, there’s plenty of other things you could try. I’ve heard great things about this book by Laura Vanderkam, and Marie Forleo talks about how to stop wasting time and become more productive here. You could try out what Silicon Valley execs do with their wardrobes – simplify to save time! Use the Pomodoro method for your daily tasks.
Hopefully you can see that it’s not rocket science. Time management is all about learning where you can use your time more effectively and being committed to a routine and prioritizing well. Furthermore, when you master time management, you create more time for doing the things that bring you joy and happiness!
I’d love for 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!
