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

[Gaius]

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.

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.

[Peacefulbird]

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.