Referrals

[hope]

Do you give anything for refferals? My one DCM reffered me to her co-worker that has signed with me and I would like to show my appreciation. Any suggestions?

[Starburst]

In my FCC administration class we talked about marketing and parent specials; including crediting for referrals. It depends on what you are comforable with and the enrollment status of both the new (referred) family and the referring family (full time/part time/drop in). Some providers may get that family a gift card (about $10-25), some might offer a free day/ week* of child care (* if refered family full time and refering family part time/drop in ) some may offer an extra day of care*, some may offer free after hours/weekend care (for about 2-4 hours), and if you regularly do an (extra pay) group care "date night" (friday/saturday night care for 4 hours) or sleepover than possibly a free date night/sleep over (if you can get two or three other paying families to help pay for supplies).

I would probably make sure that the new person stays enrolled for at least 2 weeks- 1 month before offering it- if they leave before than and still want to show some appriciation maybe a simple gift card or free day or hour. And possibly add something to your handbook so parents have more incentive to refer your services just let them know that it may depend on the status of the new/current family and spots available- how long the child stays in the program and whether or not they get to choose the credit or if you will choose. Also make clear on whether or not you would credit more than one family for referring (if two DCF reffer the same family if you would credit both of them or only one of them).

[Blackcat31]

Do you give anything for refferals? My one DCM reffered me to her co-worker that has signed with me and I would like to show my appreciation. Any suggestions?

I offer current families a discounted week for any new referrals they send my way.

The discount is not applicable until the newly enrolled family stays for a minimum of 6 months.

Almost ALL my families are referrals from previous/current families. BEST source of advertising there is.

[MarinaVanessa]

I give a $50 credit towards one week of childcare (I regularly charge $160/week) after the reffered client has been with me for a consecutive 4 weeks of childcare if the client signs up for a FT or PT position.

I was recently thinking about changing it however to something more like $50 if the referred client signs up as FT and $25 if the referred client signs up for PT. I might even go further and base it also on whether the client who referred the person is FT or PT. FT clients would get more of a discount than PT clients since PT clients are here less time than FT clients. Not sure yet but I'm pondering it.

[Willow]

I offer current families a discounted week for any new referrals they send my way.

The discount is not applicable until the newly enrolled family stays for a minimum of 6 months.

Almost ALL my families are referrals from previous/current families. BEST source of advertising there is.

I completely agree!

I don't have the delay but you can't beat word of mouth advertising. I haven't had to advertise any other way in forever because my parents alone wracked me up quite the wait list!