| One of the biggest reasons for parent dissatisfaction | | | | filling their needs if you know who they are from the |
| is lack of communication. It's extremely important in any | | | | very beginning. |
| small business and especially in family daycare. | | | | 3. Establish your rules and guidelines from the beginning. |
| Remember daycare centers are taking care of a | | | | Having a contract stating your rules and regulations |
| persons must valuable asset, their child. So it only goes | | | | establishes a boundary in your business. So many |
| to show that a parent is concerned about the level | | | | times I hear from other daycare owners that parents |
| and commitment of care that they are receiving from | | | | do not respect their wishes. From the start you need |
| a daycare provider. Communication is of such | | | | to set the rules and boundaries, if you don't parents |
| importance, not only does it show that you care about | | | | may take advantage of you. |
| your clients, but also that you are a professional in the | | | | 4. Always give parents enough time and warning. If |
| daycare industry. | | | | you plan on closing your daycare, raising your prices, or |
| 1. When a parent comes at the end of the day to pick | | | | making any type of change give your parents enough |
| up their child, always start out a conversation with | | | | time. Many people do not do well with change so it's |
| positive information. If there is anything negative to say | | | | always important to give them more than enough time |
| about a child place that information in the middle of a | | | | to make the appropriate changes. |
| conversation. So in other words, start with positive | | | | 5. Once a year do a survey in your daycare. Find out |
| comments, than negative, and always end in positive. | | | | if your parents are happy and what kind of |
| 2. When interviewing parents for enrollment to your | | | | improvements they are looking for. The more |
| daycare, always ask many questions regarding a | | | | information you find out about your parents and what |
| families habits and patterns. What do they enjoy doing | | | | they want the better off you will be. Make sure that |
| on weekend, what are their concerns regarding | | | | the survey is anonymous so that parents are not |
| childcare, what are they looking for? Really try to find | | | | afraid to tell you their thoughts and opinions. |
| out what kind of family your customer is and what | | | | © CG Groth Inc. |
| their needs are. Chances are you will be better off | | | | |