Chapter 8: Marketing your Child Care and
Education ProgramPlanning and Administering Early Childhood Programs
Tenth EditionNancy FreemanCelia A. DeckerJohn R. Decker
Prepared by:Nancy K. FreemanHolmes
Kris Curtis
Adapted by: Katy Kelley
Freeman/Decker/Decker, Planning and Administering Early Childhood Programs, 10e© 2012, 2008, 2005, 2001, 1995 by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved
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Marketing – it’s much more than advertising
Marketing includes:• the type of services that you offer• deciding what clients you plan to serve • customer satisfaction• your program’s public image
Freeman/Decker/Decker, Planning and Administering Early Childhood Programs, 10e© 2012, 2008, 2005, 2001, 1995 by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved
Opening Reflection • When considering marketing my program,
what comes to mind?• The thought of promoting myself and my
program, makes me feel…………………………
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Freeman/Decker/Decker, Planning and Administering Early Childhood Programs, 10e© 2012, 2008, 2005, 2001, 1995 by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved
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Perception is Reality•What do your clients perceive as your most important purpose?○Do they think your program’s curriculum prepares children for school? ○Do they view your purpose as keeping children safe and happy during the work day?
Freeman/Decker/Decker, Planning and Administering Early Childhood Programs, 10e© 2012, 2008, 2005, 2001, 1995 by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved
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Making a First Impression
Be intentional •What image do you want to project to children and families?
•What design elements help you meet program goals?
•What design features could make it difficult to meet the needs of children and families?
Freeman/Decker/Decker, Planning and Administering Early Childhood Programs, 10e© 2012, 2008, 2005, 2001, 1995 by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved
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Deliver the Services You Promise!•The most important element of marketing is to actually deliver the high quality services you have promised
•Under Promise & Over Deliver○ It is better to exceed expectations than to fail to live
up to them
Freeman/Decker/Decker, Planning and Administering Early Childhood Programs, 10e© 2012, 2008, 2005, 2001, 1995 by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved
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Developing a Marketing Plan
Identify . . . •your program’s mission•your specific objectives•current strengths and vulnerabilities •the specific potential clients you hope to reach•the needs of those specific clients •how you will describe your services to the clients you hope to attract
Freeman/Decker/Decker, Planning and Administering Early Childhood Programs, 10e© 2012, 2008, 2005, 2001, 1995 by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved
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Internal vs. External Marketing•Internal marketing strategies: How you go about meeting the needs of the families that you currently serve.
•External marketing strategies: The techniques you use to attract new customers to your center.
Freeman/Decker/Decker, Planning and Administering Early Childhood Programs, 10e© 2012, 2008, 2005, 2001, 1995 by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved
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Examples of Internal Marketing•Welcome families at all times•Invite feedback•Respond positively to suggestions•Include parents on field trips•Display photos of children at play•Have evening family events•Hold regular parent conferences
Freeman/Decker/Decker, Planning and Administering Early Childhood Programs, 10e© 2012, 2008, 2005, 2001, 1995 by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved
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Examples of External Marketing•Develop a relationship with your local Child Care Resource & Referral (CCR&R)
•Develop business cards, outdoor signs, printed t-shirts/ tote bags etc. with your logo
•Use local news media to highlight unique events•Develop an effective & accurate website•Participate in local parades, volunteer for a community fund raising event
Freeman/Decker/Decker, Planning and Administering Early Childhood Programs, 10e© 2012, 2008, 2005, 2001, 1995 by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved
Video Clip-Community Child Care Marketing
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Freeman/Decker/Decker, Planning and Administering Early Childhood Programs, 10e© 2012, 2008, 2005, 2001, 1995 by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved
Marketing Video-clip: Follow-up Group Discussion
• Based on the marketing video-clip, were there any new strategies that you thought might be effective?
• Are there any additional strategies that you might consider?
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Freeman/Decker/Decker, Planning and Administering Early Childhood Programs, 10e© 2012, 2008, 2005, 2001, 1995 by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved
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Guidelines for Print Media•Use an easy to read font.•Use no more than 3 fonts on any document.•Put your logo on everything you distribute.•Carefully proofread for clarity and accuracy. •Use meaningful headings to attract the reader’s attention.
Freeman/Decker/Decker, Planning and Administering Early Childhood Programs, 10e© 2012, 2008, 2005, 2001, 1995 by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved
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Content to Include in a Brochure or Flyer
• Location and contact information• Hours/ Days of operation• Brief summary of your program benefits • Unique services for children & families (i.e.,
what sets you apart)
Freeman/Decker/Decker, Planning and Administering Early Childhood Programs, 10e© 2012, 2008, 2005, 2001, 1995 by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved
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Questions to Keep in Mind
•What image of the program do you want to convey?
•What information is most important to attract the clients you are trying to attract or maintain?
Freeman/Decker/Decker, Planning and Administering Early Childhood Programs, 10e© 2012, 2008, 2005, 2001, 1995 by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved
Video Clip-Child Care Brochure
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Freeman/Decker/Decker, Planning and Administering Early Childhood Programs, 10e© 2012, 2008, 2005, 2001, 1995 by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved
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Truly Effective Marketing
•Focuses on the unique strengths of your program.
•Focuses efforts on service delivery, not catchy advertising campaigns.
Freeman/Decker/Decker, Planning and Administering Early Childhood Programs, 10e© 2012, 2008, 2005, 2001, 1995 by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved
Classroom Activity
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Please get into groups 3 or 4. Next, think of a name for your program Based on the concepts discussed in this
PowerPoint (including the video-clip), brainstorm ideas for your group program flyer
Create a program flyer Once you are done, think of 2-3 marketing
strategies you will implement to promote your program
Each group will share their program flyer and review their marketing approaches
Freeman/Decker/Decker, Planning and Administering Early Childhood Programs, 10e© 2012, 2008, 2005, 2001, 1995 by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved
Follow-up • Read Chapter 8 & review this week’s PowerPoint• Extra Credit Assignment (optional)-Creating Your
Program Recruitment Flyer due-10/25• Continue working on assignment-Creating a Mini
Staff Handbook due-11/1• Continue working on assignment-Create a Budget
for Your Program due-11/8• Let me know if you have any questions!
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