Daycare with Bad Reputation...How do I recover?

Hello there.

2 years ago during transition in ownership in a smallish town area with about 2000-4000 households, a bad reputation was developed. The primary reasons as I've found out was both due to some latent racism, gender discrimination (i'm male), and mishandling of the transition where one of the teachers was let out. I've learned all these things over the years from talking to various people.

I've sought to counter these things by having the main face of the school be a female with a bubbly personality who is very socially intelligent who is not of my ethnicity.

Unfortunately I recently had a family from the immediate area who visited for the tour, loved the environment, saw all the kids running around having fun, registered with deposit, and then suddenly pull out after I suspect talking to someone within that social circle. As a matter of fact, all my clients in the last 2 years have been from new people moving in from out of town/city, people not associated with the main social circle (very very few), and people who live in the surrounding areas outside of this town. Geography wise I am situated in the middle of the town but the town is being surrounded by expanding suburbia from a neighbouring city.

My location is excellent in terms of being situated on a main road. My centre is larger than most. We have excellent learning materials and learning environment, indoors and outdoors. We are much better at giving tours than before. I've also instructed the staff to take the kids out to the local park to give a face to people who might not phone in. Prices are competitive as well.

Overwhelmingly, the main thing that holds me back to 50% capacity (meaning I can barely pay my bills) is the latent bad reputation.

I am extremely short on cash at this moment so I can't do anything money intensive. Any suggestions or just any kind of commentary on my situation?

Also how long to wait it out for these types of situations?

Thanks a bunch.

That sounds rough! I think you've made sound moves so far, putting a fresh face in the public eye and going to parks, etc. What's your online presence like? Do you have a facebook page? Are you in local facebook groups? That's a free way to get your name out.

it is a good idea to set up a free website too like webs.com it sounds like you are doing everything thing right and it will improve in time just by word of mouth- and there will always be families that leave because they got a daycare closer to home/work etc so don't take it personal and leave the past in the past ,just look to the future like you are doing at how you can improve things right now
Good Luck

I have a website. The online presence is very good. I would say 95% or more of the people who talk to me have come from research online.

Regarding that most recent incident with someone suddenly changing their mind, it was definitely a case of gossip. Without releasing the details you are just going to have to trust me on this point.

Anyone have experience with this sort of a thing? How long does it take to blow over?

Hello,
I am new here. I am looking into starting my day home. I have the space and I guess there is opportunity in my community. I have 2 kids already (2 under 2). What are your opinion about going through an agency or not. Thanks

I'm sorry your going through this. But, do not feel discouraged. It really depends on how long this happen and if the incident or comments still posted on social media. Unfortunately, your situation also coincides with the changes that the Ministry is doing. Some of my local daycare centres operating for years in my neighbourhood started close classrooms because they couldn't fill their spots. And the creation of new ones from big franchises just opened, creating a big competition. Also, homedaycare agencies where granted or allowed to increase their home care ratios from five children to six. The 100,000 spots promised by the Ministry also still on the works on how this spots will be distributed. I'm sure you are familiar with all this but the majority is supporting the creation or more support for the "non-profit" sector which also doesn't help your situation.

If you feel that you're being juged because of being "male" perhaps you can ask one of your teachers to join you and help through the interviews.

Keep current in your website, post all the wonderful work you do everyday with the children or teachers or showing classrooms at work. Create a kind of community involvement, such as inviting parents for a open house and show them on how the place have improved and changed since your management. Contact your local newsletter and ask to publish few activities that your daycare does.

I'm sorry I'm getting carried away here but it is because social media and marketing is my strength. Do not give up especially if you're doing something positive for your community.

Honestly gossip will be gossip. Hens will continue to cluck, trust me.

Just continue offering the services that you do, it'll come.

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Originally Posted by Peacefulbird

I'm sorry your going through this. But, do not feel discouraged. It really depends on how long this happen and if the incident or comments still posted on social media. Unfortunately, your situation also coincides with the changes that the Ministry is doing. Some of my local daycare centres operating for years in my neighbourhood started close classrooms because they couldn't fill their spots. And the creation of new ones from big franchises just opened, creating a big competition. Also, homedaycare agencies where granted or allowed to increase their home care ratios from five children to six. The 100,000 spots promised by the Ministry also still on the works on how this spots will be distributed. I'm sure you are familiar with all this but the majority is supporting the creation or more support for the "non-profit" sector which also doesn't help your situation.

If you feel that you're being juged because of being "male" perhaps you can ask one of your teachers to join you and help through the interviews.

Keep current in your website, post all the wonderful work you do everyday with the children or teachers or showing classrooms at work. Create a kind of community involvement, such as inviting parents for a open house and show them on how the place have improved and changed since your management. Contact your local newsletter and ask to publish few activities that your daycare does.

I'm sorry I'm getting carried away here but it is because social media and marketing is my strength. Do not give up especially if you're doing something positive for your community.

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Thank you. There is a very popular non profit place around here that offers rates less than half of all the other places I've seen. No way to compete with that. I did the math.

In terms of online presence, it's very good. I am pretty tech savvy so this is not one of my weaknesses. I am looking heavily into doing some sort of community involvement. I'm thinking about doing a weekly event where parents with young children can bring them in and socialize them for an hour or two while chatting with the parents of the school. I'm not sure what else that's cost effective I can do so any suggestions would be great as well. I'm also thinking about doing this around closing time to catch people who work rather than in the middle of the day. What do you think about that?

In terms of the gender issue I've put a nice female teacher as the main face of the school since pretty much when the shitstorm started.

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Originally Posted by dodge__driver11

Honestly gossip will be gossip. Hens will continue to cluck, trust me.

Just continue offering the services that you do, it'll come.

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It's been 2 years and I've burned through tons of savings...Is there a time frame on these things?

I've seen and visited daycares that do their open house even six months or so. During the evening you can do that . Also I've seen daycares that open a room dedicated to a playgroup, you can absolutely try different hours. Young families (in math leave mostly) are around during the day looking for something to do with their little ones. You can join to a community centre or librarian to facilitate a nice story time. Also you can try to do a young dad's group on Saturdays. In my experience evenings are for families to share their own time or at times it gets hectic wit things to prepare for the next day. But, you can try. I have also seen during summer daycare centres facilitating an event weekly in popular parks, such a singing time, arts and crafts etc. Invite community people to that playroom such as a firefighter or create themes and post everywhere you will see families coming for events like that. Try to offer your room for parenting worshops. Some places have created a coffe corner in a big room where new parents can socialize, get information while their little ones play.

I think the playgroup idea is even better than an open house, and would accomplish the same end. Parents of young children are always looking for cheap/free things to do. Offering a drop-in playgroup, advertised on social media, would get parents in the door, and if they don't need care, they might recommend the place to friends that do. Or stick up for your business when confronted with gossip ("what him? No way, we go there for playgroup and it's wonderful!"). When I was on mat leave I loved playgroups. If you're looking for older children, offer toddler/preschooler activities, but advertise as baby friendly, and hopefully the sibling sets with a parent on leave would go. You may have a niche cornered with Dads on leave too. Any military families in your area? I find military and teacher dads are most likely to take long leaves while the mom goes back early.

Exactly, if you need setting up a playgroup your teachers (Ece's )can help out. Or if you need I can also share some ideas.

I would really like to do some sort of playgroup. This week has been crazy but I've been thinking about the finer points of this to try to see how to get this working. The main challenges I see with the play group are:

1) we aren't really baby friendly. it's a preschool. I'm not sure how to accommodate kids that are under 2.
2) i have a boy who has serious boundary issues. as a result of having no boundaries at home, he thinks he can do whatever he wants to. this at times causes problems with all the other children. I'm worried he will make a scene and then it will be like omg that centre sucks etc. this is why i have my scheduled visits during outside time as there's more room and less crazy.

i'm always open to ideas and suggestions.

There is this daycare in my area that does only one hour of parent participation outdoor playon Saturdays and they do that for a few weeks like the community centres set up a play time - then ALL of the parents want to get their children into that preschool in Sept and line up in April and it is only a half day program but they love it - something like that might work for you

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Originally Posted by Van

There is this daycare in my area that does only one hour of parent participation outdoor playon Saturdays and they do that for a few weeks like the community centres set up a play time - then ALL of the parents want to get their children into that preschool in Sept and line up in April and it is only a half day program but they love it - something like that might work for you

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As far as I know there are no community centres around here...I know it's weird. Also the weekend thing won't work since my teacher is quite a drive away and she does not like to drive. If I do it in the middle of the day during the week then I'd miss all the people who have to work...unless they are on mat leave, in which case the kids would be too young. I'll keep thinking on this for sure. I need to get out there somehow.

No community, that would work great. I have been facilitating a playgroup. (POP UP). you do not need much, find a room that will be used only the for playgroup hours. I'm sure you already have equipment for the preschool age but, this is also easy, for babies is also easy in the room you can divide a little corner with low shelf a safe area for the babies the equipment is also easy (I can send you pictures of set ups if needed or you can search or ask your Ece's). Also, you have this options:

1. If the playgroup is done during weekdays then ask your challenging boy's teacher what is the best way to come him down (I also have ideas for behavior guidance). You can take charge of a classroom for two hours while one of your teachers facilitates the playgroup. You can start by facilitating once a week.

2. Due to the Non existence of community, it would work on your favor, maybe you can apply for and Ontario Early Centre to reach families in your community in your "installations" or a librarian. Knowing that they will have access to a room they will determine the capacity and safety measures to be taken, they will also bring their own equipment and facilitate all the program only for the determined hours.

Usually playgroups open 9 to 11:30 ish am. 0 to 6 years Olds. You can post 0 to 4 years Olds.

Another challenge I find, it is that your centre is only for preschoolers. My personal view is when parents look for spots and find them, it is hard to change daycares when a baby is settled, the only reasons they would change are:

1. They aren't happy with their current provider,
2. Sometimes, they find that a centre have more educational activities to offer, a focused skill development, academics or a centre with a enriched philosophy in child minding (holistically). (Montessori, reggio, Waldorf, etc)

3. And families that just moved in, and have preschool children.

You really have to think, what is that you daycare offers different than others?

When you start, opening your door to welcome babies it is also an option for you to get a potential client or at least a recommendation to families in need of childcare for preschoolers.

Have you thought offering services for "respite care"; part time. Some parents also look for that. Especially for preschoolers.

I hope this helps.

Well gees I typed this big reply and it went poof.

I don't live in Ontario. I like the separate room idea. Only thing I worry about is the first few weeks there wouldnt be many people and i don't want them feeling isolated separated in another room.

The only thing that really works with managing the challenging boy is getting him outside.

We do have a drop in service that almost never gets used.

Sorry I did not see your reply, for me, my first year was hard. I almost lost my home. Its so hard. I really don't have any advice for you that has not already been noted. Take care, and keep trying.

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Originally Posted by Gaius

Well gees I typed this big reply and it went poof.

The only thing that really works with managing the challenging boy is getting him outside.

We do have a drop in service that almost never gets used.

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the disappearing reply made me smile as it happens to me too :)
it is so good to go outside for the active kids , what would we do without that!
put a sign on the door and other places about the drop-in spot as maybe people don't know about it yet and word will go around-Good luck and Enjoy your long week-end

Read on this post. After reading the whole post, we can get solutions to deal with the trouble quickly and safely. Thanks for your nice sharing.