Ideas To Give My DC A Competitive "Edge"

[ardeur]

I would like to start charging on the higher end for our area but I realize I will need to make my dc stand out from others. I already know I want to offer organic food and provide (yes, I provide) cloth diapers and wash/dry (I have a solid cd system in place already).

But what about some other ideas?

[happymom]

I am a parent. Recently there was a thread on greener/waste free daycare's that was very appealing to me.

It seems like you already have a handle on that, so I would expand that direction and list all the ways you intend to "go green" and minimize waste. I'm not very good at the search feature, but there was a website that listed how your daycare could be certified green.

Many daycare's go as far as using paper plates/utensils/cups for the daycare kids, in addition to disposable diapers, paper towels and all of the paper art projects that kids do.

I'll let others chime in on what else you could do to separate yourself from the competition, but this, in addition to lots of outdoor time/a great outdoor area are big factors I look for when choosing a daycare.

What ages are you offering care for?

[happymom]

Also, as a cloth diapering mom myself, what are your plans to include washing soiled diapers?

Will you be providing the diapers?

[trix23]

I would say think of all the things that you value important to you and then think of what parents would like to. As part of my day care program I wash and laundry all Napa Linens and provide Pack & plays high chairs and everything else so parents just have to supply diapers some changes of clothes and everything else I take care of. Offering a fully comprehensive Services probably one of the best benefits

[LysesKids]

I would like to start charging on the higher end for our area but I realize I will need to make my dc stand out from others. I already know I want to offer organic food and provide (yes, I provide) cloth diapers and wash/dry (I have a solid cd system in place already).

But what about some other ideas?

I originally tried to offer CD options by providing them, but got a lot of negative feed back on how I would keep each child's stuff separate and not mixed up; Diaper services have pretty much gone out of style so it is a concern when a child has been ill or needs special butt paste. Because of licensing regs in some states, it also is a no go unless parents send their own cloth along with a wet bag... I have to just bag it up as is & send it home as we aren't allowed to dump the poop for sanitation reasons... I am an Organic childcare & one of the few that will accept cloth diapered children.

I would check the regulations before offering the service because it might not be allowed

[Max]

http://cehn.org/our-work/eco-healthy-child-care/

^ That's the link BC posted in another thread on how to get your daycare 'eco certified.' I was looking into it myself but decided to go a few other routes to help my daycare stand out while still being 'green.'

A few ideas...
- I'm offering a "Service Appreciation Night" to parents who are employed as a nurse, teacher, firefighter, police officer, military member, or fellow child care provider. They get one free night of childcare each year.
- I also offer "Bonding Visits" just for parents of infants. They can visit once per day to nurse or bottle feed their child. I rearranged my entire main floor so we would have a separate room to accommodate this. Plus my location will probably get me a lot of parents who work nearby, so it's likely to get used.
- Also due to my setup, I can offer "Mildly Ill Care" on a case by case basis.
- I'm providing a discount for families that supply cloth diapers.

ETA: I also think a really nice setup can make a daycare much more appealing, and justify higher rates. There's lots of good pics on the decor group that really helped me figure out what I want my daycare to look and feel like.

I toured a DC once that had a huge, beautiful house. Large play rooms, lots of toys... But there was no 'setup' if you know what I mean. There were tons of toys that lined all the walls but no different areas defined. It just felt a bit chaotic.

[Ariana]

As a parent I would not want my childs cloth diaper being shared amongst other children so that would not be something I would be interested in.

For me education stands out the most. I would pay more money for someone who had an education in the field rather than someone who provided random free things. Someone who understood the importance of play and nature in their every day programming.

[Max]

I think if you provide cloth diapers the best way to do it would be to have a specific set that stays with the child while he/she is in your program. Do a strip (or whatever the Fluff Love & CD Science group recommends when you buy used diapers) before the set gets used on another child.

I think that ^ would only be suitable with pockets and AIOs. Unless you do a separate load for each child's diaper laundry which might be the way to go to make parents ok with it

[happymom]

There is another aspect to consider as well with the cloth diapering.

Child comes to care in a diaper and leaves in a diaper each day. So if your daycare owns the diapers, you will also need to make sure they are coming back into your daycare and have a system for this.

I also would have a problem with the sharing of diapers between children without being properly sanitized. Yeast is a nasty thing and can be especially hard to get rid of when cloth diapering, it lives through washes and can be transferred from child to child if diapers are shared.

I might be open to it if there was a great system in place (but I would probably want to know more details than you would expect and I would have a lot of questions).

[ColorfulSunburst]

I would say think of all the things that you value important to you and then think of what parents would like to. As part of my day care program I wash and laundry all Napa Linens and provide Pack & plays high chairs and everything else so parents just have to supply diapers some changes of clothes and everything else I take care of. Offering a fully comprehensive Services probably one of the best benefits

I did not even think that it can be a benefits.
My parents provide only kids (:, diapers, toothbrush and sunscreen.
Even my vegetarian and vegan families do not provide food here.

[ColorfulSunburst]

For me education stands out the most. I would pay more money for someone who had an education in the field rather than someone who provided random free things. Someone who understood the importance of play and nature in their every day programming.

For me too.
My kid start read around 3yo, they also play chess, learn basic math (+/-, patterns, sorting, counting ....) ...
Right now I have 4 kids who are 5yo. I mean they did not go to UPK.

PS My price is much higher then in other day cares around. It allow me to have 3 teacher assistant and it is a big benefit for parents too.

[CityGarden]

It's great you're evaluating how to make your program stand out! If you are looking to increase your income I highly suggest you not only look at things you can offer but also areas & ways you can reduce expenses for your program... too often providers take on expenses without realizing it.

Things I notice that make programs stand out:

Specialize in a specific age range (0-2, 2-5, SA only)
Create an environment reflective of the age range
Low adult to child ratio
Good quality staff
Clean & clutter free space
All inclusive care (can you provide everything except infant formula / BM)
Clear and consistent approach to early childhood (i.e. Don't say you're RIE based but have battery operated toys or tons of plastic. Don't say you're play-based but have a ton of worksheets. Don't say you're Waldorf inspired and have a huge TV when parents walk in)
Individual cribs for each infant
A clear curriculum for preschoolers
Communication w/ Parents in place (i.e. Brightwheel, daily notes, newsletter, etc)

As a provider I do not offer all of the above, and as a parent I would not need or be looking for all of the above – those are just observations I've seen.
Hours of operation

[daycarediva]

It's great you're evaluating how to make your program stand out! If you are looking to increase your income I highly suggest you not only look at things you can offer but also areas & ways you can reduce expenses for your program... too often providers take on expenses without realizing it.

Things I notice that make programs stand out:

Specialize in a specific age range (0-2, 2-5, SA only)
Create an environment reflective of the age range
Low adult to child ratio
Good quality staff
Clean & clutter free space
All inclusive care (can you provide everything except infant formula / BM)
Clear and consistent approach to early childhood (i.e. Don't say you're RIE based but have battery operated toys or tons of plastic. Don't say you're play-based but have a ton of worksheets. Don't say you're Waldorf inspired and have a huge TV when parents walk in)
Individual cribs for each infant
A clear curriculum for preschoolers
Communication w/ Parents in place (i.e. Brightwheel, daily notes, newsletter, etc)

As a provider I do not offer all of the above, and as a parent I would not need or be looking for all of the above – those are just observations I've seen.
Hours of operation

I provide all that is listed (and applicable, I don't take infants), plus have a BA in ECE, great outdoor space, eco friendly, organic menu. It's a definite niche.

I also cut all unnecessary expenses. Eg. we make our own dye free organic playdoh (natural food dye), I make a lot of our wood toys, not using things like paper towels, paper plates, etc. everything goes on the website, facebook, app, no wasting paper/ink, no boxed curriculum ($$$!!!)

I've been on the very high end of home daycares in the area, and now charge center rates.

[MrsSteinel'sHouse]

Infant care is quickly becoming my niche. Apparently, I am one of the few providers that takes infants. I love them! I meet 2 of the other licensed providers in my area this past weekend and I was a little surprised by how much they are working ( almost 24 hour care) and how much they put up with. I will do early mornings (I generally have one at 6:15) but I am done at 5.
I offer a lower ratio- I will only take 5 full time but some days I will have 6 but my parents know that I have a couple of "drop ins".
I have a dedicated, screen free playroom.
I offer real food

[thrivingchildcarecom]

Something that my clients really seem to love is the practice of providing daily notes. It gives them a glimpse into their child's day along with providing many opportunities to communicate with the parent. DM me if you would like some other ideas or info on the Daily Notes I use.