We've got you covered if you’re planning to organize family engagements at the daycare. We have several ideas that promote meaningful relationships between you and the parents (or guardians). It would help if you cultivated a welcoming environment to make new parents feel at ease when they join your community.
Plan events they’d be interested in and celebrate different cultures. These engagements are also an excellent excuse to showcase your daycare services.
Ready to begin?
Here are some fabulous ideas for inspiration:
1. Host an Open House to Introduce Yourself
You may want to host an open house a month or two before admission deadlines. It’s an excellent way to attract parents and meet current clients. Promote your business online to create a buzz.
On the main day, you should have refreshments, seating arrangements, and a quiet play area for younger attendees. Ask for an RSVP if you’re short on space.
You can opt for a virtual party if an in-person event isn’t feasible. Schedule two events to accommodate different schedules. Ask parents to join in while you introduce yourself and the team and take them on a virtual tour of your facility.
Remember to leave time for Q and As at both events. It’ll allow parents to make inquiries, clear doubts, and get to know you better.
Pro Tip: Don’t have time to decorate? Access printable bulletin board decor, posters, and friendly reminders for daycare.
2. Organize Family Events All Year Round
Many parents might skip the open house, and others never attend parent-daycare provider meetings. If you observe this pattern, you may want to switch things up by organizing family-oriented events. Use holiday time, local events, or fundraisers as a reason for everyone to gather.
Foster community relationships through interactive activities involving the children.
Some popular crowd-pullers include:
● Sports day
● Picnic or field trips
● Holiday plays or recitals
● Movie night
● Fundraisers
● Culture day
Aside from this, you can ask parents/caregivers to volunteer as chaperones for field trips. These events help you bond with your parents and vice versa. It also gives these families a sense of community.
Pro Tip: Get a daycare planner to schedule family-friendly engagements at the daycare.
3. Enhance Family Engagement Online
Digital business transformation goes beyond online marketing. You may want to use apps to coordinate timings, share weekly updates, and bond with parents. Select online channels that serve you best to help you stay connected with parents.
You can use these online interactions for:
● Sending daily updates on a parent WhatsApp group
● Sharing monthly assessments of a child’s performance
● Inviting parents to webinars on parenting and childcare
● Addressing concerns and queries on your social media channels
● Making daycare forms accessible online
● Announcing updates to increase awareness about recent changes at your facility
When it comes to online communication, the possibilities become endless. However, ask parents what they're comfortable with to ensure your messages are mindful and meaningful.
Still, wondering how to build a rapport with parents? We’ve got a mini guide focusing on communication skills right here. Or, join the Standout Daycare community for training and coaching to enhance your people skills.
4. Start a Book Club for Parents
Family engagements at the daycare don’t have to be limited to your premises. You can use the local library or cafe to start a book club. Ask interested parents and daycare providers to join you. Select a book to read each month and discuss it during weekly/monthly meetings.
You can pick literary classics, parenting guides, or even select books to read aloud to toddlers. You can set themes for each month based on everyone’s vote. You can even plan movie adaptions of the fictional books you read during the year.
Pro Tip: Don’t have a reading list? You may get some ideas for young readers and parenting guides online.
In a Nutshell
Family engagements at daycare are an integral part of childcare. It allows you to foster a community that has the children’s best interests in mind. You learn how to raise thoughtful individuals together. It also helps each through the highs and lows of caring for young kids.
While formal meet-and-greet sessions are a must, sometimes fun activities are a good way to break the ice. Remember to make room for online communication too. That way, you will stay in touch with parents/guardians that show up and those that don’t.
If you’re ever in doubt, Standout Daycare can help you. We have several online resources for daycare providers that can help you stay organized during such events.
Are you looking for more help? Get in touch with our team.
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