{"id":47,"date":"2019-09-09T11:32:36","date_gmt":"2019-09-09T11:32:36","guid":{"rendered":"https://theempoweredprovider.com/?p=47"},"modified":"2020-01-10T20:29:49","modified_gmt":"2020-01-10T20:29:49","slug":"child-care-tips","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https://theempoweredprovider.com/child-care-tips/","title":{"rendered":"Child Care Tips to Increase Professionalism"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
Every person who runs a family child care business should be continually seeking out child care tips<\/strong> that will make his\/her program better. The child care tips I am sharing today will help you boost professionalism. <\/p>\n\n\n\n In my experience, providers who demonstrate high levels of professionalism often have a more successful program than those who do not.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It’s time to think of your child care program as a business run by a sole proprietor (you!). The sooner you think, act, and make decisions like a business the better off you will be. <\/p>\n\n\n\n According to payscale.com<\/a>, the average child care provider makes $32,065 per year, with a high end around $71,000. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Your income depends greatly upon your enrollment and the rates you charge. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Despite your hourly or weekly rate, enrollment can be ever-changing. The highs are high and the lows are…well… low. You put in the grit and sweat that comes with loving on a really young group of babies and toddlers…but those little buggers keep getting older and eventually exit your program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Being low on enrollment is stressful. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The record-keeping books don’t lie. Less kids means less income. Less income mean less lattes. (Starbucks. Always the first to get cut from the budget in my house.<\/em>) Less lattes means…eeshk. Let’s not speak of it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Anticipating the gap is key. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n It’s always a good idea to pause and assess your program and figure out ways you can improve. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Professionalism speaks confidence. It says, “Welcome to my program. I put a lot of work into my job and I love it so much and I just know you will too. Here’s what I have to offer.<\/em>“<\/p>\n\n\n\n Clients want to know that your program is well thought out. They want to know you are confident about the work you do and that they have chosen the best possible place for their child. <\/p>\n\n\n\n According to Google<\/a>, professionalism<\/strong> is the “competence or skill of a professional”.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Even though there are days you may feel<\/em> like an amateur…always show your professional self in any situation regarding your business. Professional development isn’t limited to the training hours and classes you take. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Today I am sharing simple child care tips that you can implement to make your program look and feel more like a business. <\/p>\n\n\n\n This can be as simple or complex as you want to make it. Design your own on the computer or ask someone to help you. Perhaps you know a graphic designer? <\/p>\n\n\n\n A logo will be the start of building your brand. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Having a brand that is aesthetically appealing can be everything to get new clients interested in your program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This may sound intimidating, but I promise you, there are a lot of companies out there that will walk you through building a simple website and in many cases for free such as Weebly<\/a>. This child care tip can make a huge impact for your business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Make sure your site includes the basics:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Produce a document (post card, flyer, brochure) that a family can take with them after they leave the interview. <\/p>\n\n\n\n There can be a lot of competition…how will you stand out?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n The document should illustrate some of the highlights of your family child care program and include your contact information. Vistaprint <\/a>is a great option that won’t cost a lot of money.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Have you considered creating something that all new clients receive when they enroll? Add your logo to promote brand awareness!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Trust me. A person who spends her day getting up and down from the floor 8,357 times per hour has no time for dresses or heels…even denim can be restrictive. (insert: giggle) However, answering the door in sweats and an over-sized t-shirt everyday may not send the right message.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Choose clothing that is comfortable yet professional.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n PERSONAL EXPERIENCE: <\/strong>After about 9 years of talking<\/em> about making t-shirts, I finally did it. I made sure to order myself 2-3 t-shirts and this allowed me to wear something comfortable, but professional everyday and I was never afraid to get puffy paint or macaroni and cheese on it. Each year I ordered a different color.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A simple change in verbiage can do wonders for your professionalism level. The partnership you have entered into with a family is first and foremost a business relationship. <\/p>\n\n\n\n They are the client. How do you answer the following question:<\/p>\n\n\n\n “What do you do for a living?”<\/p>\n\n\n\n Do you say…<\/p>\n\n\n\n “I do daycare.” <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n It’s okay. I’ve said it too. <\/p>\n\n\n\n I’ve also been introduced by my clients with this fun phrase: “This is, Roz. She is my daycare lady”. (Does anyone else feel like they are 95 years old when referenced this way?) <\/p>\n\n\n\n Here’s why I don’t prefer to say “I do daycare”:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Dentists<\/strong> & Doctors<\/strong> don’t say, “I do health.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n Construction workers<\/strong> don’t say, “I do building.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n Police Officers<\/strong> don’t say, “I do safety.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n Whether you asked for this title or not, you are an ‘Early Childhood Educator.’<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n You may not have a teaching license, but you have put yourself in a position in which it is your job to create an environment that will teach young children. <\/p>\n\n\n\n There is also nothing wrong with saying you’re a “Child Care Provider”. That’s a title I was proud to wear and still am. It’s a perfect title.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I was forced to shift my marketing stance on how I referred to the work I did in the community, when the push for formal preschool programs was a big deal in my town. Many parents were pulling their 3 & 4 year old children from family child care programs to attend full day preschool<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The idea was that formal accredited preschools were a better option to prepare a young child for Kindergarten. I knew this wasn’t true. I knew my program offered the same services. <\/p>\n\n\n\n When people asked what I did for a living, I started to answer with, “I’m an Early Childhood Educator. I own and operate a Pre-k Program in my home. It’s awesome and I love it.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n It felt good. It felt professional<\/strong>. And dog-gone-it, I rose up to that title fully and owned it. You should too.<\/p>\n\n\n\nCHILD CARE PROVIDER SALARY<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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WHY PROFESSIONALISM MATTERS IN FAMILY CHILD CARE<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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7 TIPS FOR CHILD CARE PROFESSIONALISM<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
1. DESIGN A LOGO<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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2. CREATE A WEBSITE<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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3. CREATE A CHILD CARE BROCHURE OR FLYER<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
4. OFFER AN ENROLLMENT GIFT<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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CHILD CARE ENROLLMENT GIFT IDEAS<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
5. DRESS FOR THE JOB<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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6. BEGIN REFERRING TO YOUR CUSTOMERS AS ‘CLIENTS’<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
You are the owner and operator.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
7. CHANGE HOW YOU TALK ABOUT YOUR JOB<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
COMPETING WITH PRESCHOOLS AND OTHER EARLY CHILDHOOD PROGRAMS<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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LOOKING FOR MORE WAYS TO BOOST PROFESSIONALISM AND ENROLLMENT?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n