Marketing Tips for a Reggio Emilia Inspired Preschool

[Unregistered]

Hello! I own and operate a Reggio Emilia Inspired preschool in Southern Maryland. We currently have 32 kiddos enrolled and we can have up to 60 children in our program. We have been open since June 2016, so a little over a year. We are the only Reggio Preschool in the area. I've included a link of IG page (not to advertise) but so you have a sense of our programs day to day activities.

Being completely vulnerable I'm concerned that we are not enrolling children rapidly. We get on average 3 calls a week for preschool enrollment interest. I know the winter months tend to be quieter, so I'm hopeful in the new year it picks back up.

Does anyone have any marketing tips?

[Blackcat31]

Hello! I own and operate a Reggio Emilia Inspired preschool in Southern Maryland. We currently have 32 kiddos enrolled and we can have up to 60 children in our program. We have been open since June 2016, so a little over a year. We are the only Reggio Preschool in the area. I've included a link of IG page (not to advertise) but so you have a sense of our programs day to day activities.

Being completely vulnerable I'm concerned that we are not enrolling children rapidly. We get on average 3 calls a week for preschool enrollment interest. I know the winter months tend to be quieter, so I'm hopeful in the new year it picks back up.

Does anyone have any marketing tips?

Welcome! Please consider registering for the forum.
Many of our members can probably share advertising tips etc.

I did remove the link you included in your post as we do not allow outside advertising for any reason. I know you said that was not your intention but as an unregistered user, attaching a link DOES seem like an attempt to advertise.

Please feel free, however to post questions and comments. If you should choose to register you would also have access to our search function which has a huge data base of info. Many threads relating to advertising and enrollment and marketing tips.

[Discoverylane]

Hello! Thanks I'm registered. I just could not remember my username. But I'm signed in now. Happy Learning! Looking forward to insight from others about my post.

[Blackcat31]

Hello! Thanks I'm registered. I just could not remember my username. But I'm signed in now. Happy Learning! Looking forward to insight from others about my post.

Oh! That's awesome! happyface

...and yes! Happy posting! We are a friendly and helpful bunch of ladies and gents!

[Discoverylane]

I'm being very honest no one on this forum seems to live remotely close to my location that posting an IG link would generate more kiddos to my program. I posted on this site before, when I first began my program. I shared my website because a narrative of my program doesn't always capture the entire story.

By sharing my website I got great insight that the appearance of my center was sterile. How would I have gotten that feedback if I did not share my site? I certainly didn't think my space appeared sterile but others did. Now if there is a way to add photos than I can certainly do that as well. But the implication that I would "break a rule" comes off unappealing and makes me not want to be on this forum.

I read through many of the posts and shared with my accountant the advise of an accountant on this site who often "advertises."

Hello Daycare Forum subscribers please share your expertise and insight. I really need support with marketing. Humbly, Discovery Lane.

[Snowmom]

I am Reggio inspired.

In my area, it is not a well known approach. I tend to do more educating people on Reggio and how it benefits my program. I introduce lots of information on my webpage so that potential clients are given some useful information off the bat.

People here seem to be obsessed with Montessori. I personally think they're attached to an imagined prestige that's associated with Montessori and the price tag they pay for it than the actual benefits of the approach to learning. Most parents I know really don't know what Montessori, Waldorf or Reggio means in terms of learning environment.

As far as marketing. Join groups in your area. Word of mouth is the best form of advertising. Use social media. Facebook groups are #1 around here for parents posting their needs and asking for recommendations. Local church groups, fundraisers that you can get involved in, throw an open house party, post a flyer in grocery stores and coffee shops.

[Blackcat31]

I'm being very honest no one on this forum seems to live remotely close to my location that posting an IG link would generate more kiddos to my program. I posted on this site before, when I first began my program. I shared my website because a narrative of my program doesn't always capture the entire story.

By sharing my website I got great insight that the appearance of my center was sterile. How would I have gotten that feedback if I did not share my site? I certainly didn't think my space appeared sterile but others did. Now if there is a way to add photos than I can certainly do that as well. But the implication that I would "break a rule" comes off unappealing and makes me not want to be on this forum.

I read through many of the posts and shared with my accountant the advise of an accountant on this site who often "advertises."

Hello Daycare Forum subscribers please share your expertise and insight. I really need support with marketing. Humbly, Discovery Lane.

Pardon me, but I did not imply that you were breaking a rule :confused: other than the fact that you had posted as an unregistered poster and had the forethought to say "(not to advertise)" so YOU set the stage yourself for moderators to think you may be advertising.
Please don't play that off as if the idea that a registered member was being accused of breaking a forum rule.

If you are wanting to post a link that could possibly be taken as an advertisement, please contact the site owner and get permission from him.

As a moderator it is my job to eliminate spammers for our registered members so as a moderator I did just that. Had you posted as a registered member your link/post may have been validated but I rarely click on links posted by unregistered users (for obvious reasons) so to be accused of having less than honorable intentions by a registered member posting as unregistered (I understand you did not remember your log in info) is very unappealing as well.

Here is the contact info to the site owner.

https://www.daycare.com/forum/member.php?u=1

I am sure he will give your request consideration.
Hoping you are able to find the answers you are seeking.

[Discoverylane]

You're absolutely correct. We are hosting a parent workshop in January. It's mostly for our enrolled families, however I'm thinking about reserving 5 seats for parents who do not have children enrolled in our families.

Throughout the year we host free or low cost events that are open to the community. Book Fair, Crayons & Cookies (Saturday Art Camp), and Fall Festival.

Flyers- That has not worked for us, however I can try it again. We are on Facebook and we have a solid 5 star review. We're also on IG and we have almost 500 followers. I've also paid for advertisement on both sites.

Word of mouth has been our biggest advertisement. I'm thinking about a referral program. Thoughts? Also any suggestions for planning the Open House? We had two of those before we opened and hardly anyone showed up. I've read on this forum people having the same outcome. Just not many parents coming out. Perhaps choosing the right day or time? Thanks!

[Blackcat31]

Now if there is a way to add photos than I can certainly do that as well.

Here the instructions to posting images and attachments

https://www.daycare.com/forum/faq.php?faq=vb3_reading_posting#faq_vb3_attachments

[Discoverylane]

Moderator you sound triggered and you're sorta being a TROLL on my post. What you could have stated is that, "Although you're posting a link to get insight we do not permit that on this site." You made assumptions about me being "unregistered" and capitalized words, which implies yelling. You're also at this current moment not making this site seem professional with this conduct towards patrons and visitors.

You're going tit for tat about something that's not that trivial. Again, I posted my website before and so I thought nothing of posting my IG page. I also stated that I forgot my username. It wasn't until I found my post from 2016 that I remembered my username. I don't post on here for the sake of posting. When I have a question it's for the betterment of children and my community. I have a program that supports children in a marginalized community that otherwise wouldn't have access to this type of pedagogy. I want to get insight from others because I value this social community.

I don't need to email anyone about my link.... You removed it. Fine. Now, back to my original post and getting the support I need.

[Discoverylane]

When I posted my website Blackcat31 did not remove the link. I went on discussing marketing. That is an area that is always a challenge. I'm being very transparent and I would ask for a spirit of generosity.

[Blackcat31]

:: :: um okay.

Have a great day!

[Discoverylane]

I've reposted my question. If you wouldn't mind moderator could you delete this thread. I want advise and I feel our back and forth has tainted the experience and knowledge I want to gain from others. In my new post I itemized all the advertising I already do and no links are included. Thank you.

[Cat Herder]

Reminds me of a certain web etiquette video, especially that scene about human excrement in a punch bowl.

[Snowmom]

Reminds me of a certain web etiquette video, especially that scene about human excrement in a punch bowl.

::::