Ideas And Strategies For Child Care Providers

On April 30, CDR’s Resource & Referral program (R&R) held its annual Home Tour Workshop. This is considered one of their most popular and intensive presentations of the year, and one of their most rewarding. The presentation is designed to help child care providers improve on their home business. The presentation also assists first time providers just getting their business off the ground.

Organizers make to a point to highlight a diverse group of providers—small and large programs, as well as those operating out of apartments, single-family homes, and mobile homes. This variety offers valuable inspiration for other providers, giving them practical ideas for their own spaces while also fostering connections and networking.

A total of 78 child care providers were in attendance, and the presentations were conducted in English and Spanish. Some of the key discussions included ways child care providers can market their own business using social media, flyers, business cards, promotional items, and events where they can network with others.

A popular and fun part of the workshop involved active participation and even some role playing in group activities. For example, providers were assigned to brainstorm on best practices on interviewing parents as prospective clients/families to be enrolled in their business, and how to get parents to be more involved in their child care service. One person would play the role of the parent, while the other would be the provider asking the questions. After the conclusion of the activity, participants shared their experiences and results with the rest of the group.

According to Nita Navarro, Child Care Services Supervisor, first-time providers have the unique opportunity to learn from the seasoned providers about resources available, everything from important licensing information to recommendations of games and materials that parents can use in their own home to continue building on their child’s early development.