School holidays present unique issues for working parents. While it's a welcome break for children to be away from school it can be stressful for parents.
Given the weight of entrusting the care of their child to strangers for many hours, parents carefully weigh this decision with various considerations such as safety, cost, flexibility and quality of activities. Keep reading to delve into these crucial factors parents look for when selecting activity providers, and how by addressing these - your programme can grow and flourish.
Safety and Trust
At the forefront of every parent's mind is the safety of their child.
When evaluating activity providers, parents look for clear evidence of a safe environment. This includes checking for up-to-date safety certifications, understanding the provider's emergency procedures, and ensuring there is adequate supervision by qualified adults. There should be an adequate ratio of staff to children to ensure that each child receives sufficient attention and care.
Effective communication between activity providers and parents is essential. Parents expect regular updates on their child's experiences, achievements, and importantly any issues that may arise. Information about daily schedules, specific activities planned, and how they contribute to children’s learning helps parents feel connected and reassured about their child’s day-to-day experiences.
Here are some questions you as a provider need to consider:
- How do you present yourself to assure parents you are able to competently undertake this duty of care?
- What policies and procedures are in place to manage emergencies and ensure the safety of the child? Enrolmy has automated safety forms that equip providers with important information on children and reassure parents from the booking process, that their child is in safe hands.
- Are there enough numbers of adult staff to safely supervise the children?
Flexibility and Cost-Effectiveness
For many parents, cost and flexibility of session times are big factors they consider.
Parents seek flexibility in session times to align with their work schedules and appreciate options for early drop-offs or late pick-ups. Cost-effectiveness compared to alternative childcare options like babysitters is also a critical factor they look for. Parents need to know if the hours you offer work with their work schedule, and that they won’t have to pay more once it hits the after-3 pm time frame. Remember that parents value transparency in pricing - especially regarding additional charges for extended hours. So make sure you as a provider have answered these questions:
- Have you outlined the cost-effectiveness and benefits of your programme compared to alternative childcare such as babysitting?
- Would you consider the flexibility of time frames- what will you charge for extended hours (outside of what the majority of children attend)?
- Is there a possibility for split sessions and can children be dropped off earlier or later than the programme times?
Diverse and Engaging Activities
Parents also look for a programme that captures their child's interest while promoting learning and development. Some prefer a range of activities, others, more specialist options such as sports clinics, technology classes, art, theatre or dance schools. There needs to be a sufficient and varied activity to occupy their child for a number of hours (depending on the structure of your programme). Kids activity providers that offer a balance between structured activities and free play or downtime are appealing, as they provide children with an opportunity to explore their interests at their own pace.
Ask yourself:
- Do you offer a wide range of activities or cater to a niche interest?
- Have you marketed these activities to parents, so they can decide more easily which activities to book their child in?
- How busy and fast-paced is your programme intended to be?
Social Enrichment
The social aspect of childcare programmes is another key consideration for parents. They look for environments where their children can build friendships, develop social skills, and feel part of a community. Consider if your programme is running in a local community where many of the kids would know each other, or if you would have to do more work to foster team building among the kids.
Other important questions you should ask yourself:
- How do you, as an organisation, manage disputes and disagreements between children and their peers or with staff?
- How do your staff interact with children
- What are the disciplinary actions and guidelines for your organisation?
By addressing key factors like safety, flexibility, cost, engaging activities, and social enrichment, you can significantly enhance your activity programme’s appeal to parents. Prioritising these aspects not only helps in meeting parents’ expectations but also sets your programme apart from the competition. Ensuring certified supervision, transparent pricing, and a balance of structured and free play will build trust and satisfaction.
For a fact, we know that parents are looking for activity providers based on numerous considerations ranging from safety measures to programme diversity. Importantly, they seek a partnership with providers who not only ensure the wellbeing of their child but also contribute positively towards their growth during those crucial hours spent away from home.
If managing your programs feels overwhelming, Enrolmy is here to help. Our platform simplifies administration so you can focus on delivering exceptional experiences.