A new year means new enrolment possibilities.
It also means new Families, new room rolls and new spaces to fill.
We all know the beginning of the year is a notoriously busy period for Centre Managers and Providers – and it flies by quicker every year.
So, to help get you started, our Marketing Team have pulled together 15 simple childcare occupancy-boosting ideas to help you jump-start the enquiry to enrolment cycle for the new year.
15 Ways to Increase Enrollments
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Get Social!
Families are more active than ever on social media. Ads, Stories, Posts, Reels, Lives – do it all! Be seen, tell your story, share your message, build your community and be as active as possible. Not sure where to start? Why not check out our free social media content calendar and free Canva templates to help get the ball rolling?
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Update your website
Families rely heavily on your website to get that all-important peek into your centre. Make sure that your images and website copy are up to date and showcase your centre in the best possible way. If you need to, consider getting some professional photographs taken so you can show your centre at its best. Don’t forget to optimise your website for SEO success using our free childcare centre SEO checklist!
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Google is your friend
With centre location one of the MOST important factors for Families, every centre should have a Google Business listing and Google AdWords search campaign live and optimised regularly to drive enquiries – no excuses! Our Marketing Team love to drive customer engagement, just get in touch to get started.
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Optimise Family’s CCS entitlements with sessional care
One of the easiest (and most cost-effective) ways to build your centre occupancy and increase your centre revenue is to help Families maximise their CCS opportunities by offering sessional care. Our all-in-one Child Care Subsidy (CCS) Optimisation Guide will walk you through this process step by step and provide everything you need to make this process a breeze!
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Remarket and Retarget
According to Search Engine Journal, only 2% of people actually convert to becoming a prospective enrolment the first time they land on your website. So continually retargeting Families who come into contact with your brand is a no-brainer to keep your centre front of mind. Here is a great place to start.
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Answer every enquiry
Now more than ever, it’s important that every single enquiry you receive is answered immediately. Being able to make that personal connection with a prospective Family could be the difference in the Family’s enrolment decision. Allocate time each day to review your lead sources and respond to your new enquiries. Running short of time? Our Enquiries Team can help you here.
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Be Flexible
Over the past 3 years, many providers have offered flexible solutions for childcare in direct response to requirements from Families. Whether it’s differing sessions of care, flexible payment options, or casual bookings – why not look to continue these efforts and set yourself apart from your local competitors? Use these flexible options as your marketing hook and make a splash.
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Get on the phone
Called your waitlist recently? You should be in constant contact with your waitlist to ensure your centre remains front of mind – especially now. Create a script and get on the phone! Don’t have time? Why not get in touch with our Enquiries Team to ease the pressure?
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Create an Email Marketing Strategy
Build up your email database by adding a pop-up or lead magnet on your digital sites/advertising. Whether a Book a Tour or Download Now button, it’s all about collecting the email addresses of interested Families. Leverage this list of prospects by developing an email nurture strategy to continue to keep your centre front of mind.
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Review your family journey
The Family enrolment journey is long – anywhere between 10-25 points of contact. Consistent communication throughout a Family’s enrolment journey will nurture their loyalty to your centre. Put your time and energy into developing strong personal relationships with each Family and focus on providing the services that are valuable to them. Our free childcare centre email templates can jump-start this process for you.
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Automate
Work smarter, not harder to build relationships with Families. Whilst reviewing your parent journey, make a conscious effort to understand what you can automate or template to take the pressure off you and your team. Communication will keep your centre front of mind throughout a Family’s decision-making process. Our Marketing Team can help create these automations for you so you’re ready to go every time!
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Look at your configuration and your waitlist
Is it time to change your room configuration to accommodate more waitlisted Families? What does your waitlist look like for 2024? Think outside the box and make your centre work for you.
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Activate the 5 senses
It’s always a great idea to go through the five senses checklist when prepping for a tour. What will Families see/hear/smell/feel/taste when they are in your centre? Be open and ask Families what their biggest concerns are for their child. It’s a powerful advantage to be able to modify your tour and conversations to highlight how you will be able to put those concerns to rest.
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Sell to existing Families
Focus on enticing existing Families to book casual days or increase their enrolment altogether. This will help you to fill those small gaps that you may have day to day.
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Ask for the enrolment
If you don’t ask, you don’t receive. It’s that simple.
With competition all around us, it’s more important than ever to ensure your enquiries, enrolments and family journey are being managed properly. With Centre Managers being pulled in multiple directions every day – is taking advantage of these opportunities really going to be the focus?
That’s where Enrolment Hub comes in.
We’re able to focus solely on developing strong relationships with Families, taking the necessary time to provide a seamless, easy, and most importantly personalised experience for each Family – listening to what they need and working with your team to provide it.
Why not get in touch with our team at Enrolment Hub today to see how we can work together. Simply give us a call on (02) 8123 2300 or send an email to info@enrolmenthub.com
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