Daycare and animals

[monkeymama]

I have a collie/shepard mix. She is extremely friendly and the kids adore her. I have it in all my ads that I am a pet friendly daycare and I make sure to mention to any potential families before any interviews. I have only had one family that chose not to interview because of the dog. Frankly, if a child has that big of a fear they are not a good fit for my daycare. My dog is part of our family.

[Inspired by Reggio]

I think pets are like any other 'niche' service some clients will be attracted to it and others who see a 'fear' in it than it is going to be a deal breaker no matter what ...as a business owner one just needs to attract those who see the pet as a benefit to the program verses a con!

I do not have pets but I do have 'obstacles' in my program that others consider deal breakers ~ for example field trips are a huge part of my program and we travel by foot, bus and in my vehicle on a regular basis and all of my clients this about my program but I do realize that this aspect of the program will be a deal breaker for some and there are likely many people who've read that on my website and just not bothered to contact me cause they do not want their child 'out and about' cause they cannot imagine how I can possibly due that safely... fortunately there have always been enough people who value field trips that I have maintained a viable business!

Same for providers who have 5 children 'plus their own' or have pools or fire pits or other 'different' things that some clients just cannot wrap their heads around how someone could possible keep a group of children safe in those conditions so they would never consider placing their kid there ... as a business owner with those 'challenges' one just has to figure out a way to educate Joe Public on how this can and does work within the program to make them feel comfortable and attract those who are cool with it!

If you feel the pet is holding you back perhaps a spot on your website about how beneficial the pet is in the program ... what he brings to the table and how the children are 'educated' to be safe around pets and respectful and empathetic of pets and therefore reduce their chances of ever being 'harmed' by an animal because they know how to safely approach and so forth?