Your ECEC Service's Unique Story Is Your Marketing Super Power | Careforkids.com.au

Care For Kids is the #1 way parents search and connect with early childhood education and care (ECEC) providers. With nearly 4 million visits each year, parents trust and rely on Care for Kids when it comes to finding the right care for their family.

Our marketing plans are the perfect way to get your service in front of parents in your area searching for care. Join the leading service providers across the country and give local parents a new child care solution.

When you sign up for one of our marketing plans you’ll be able to leverage your unique story to make an emotional connection with parents and make your service a shortlist contender with families looking for care in your area. 

Follow our 5 tips to set your Care for Kids listing up for success and show parents why they need your Early Childhood Education and Care service at the top of their childcare shortlist.

1. Visually make your ECEC service stand out from the rest

Parents always want what's best for their children, and when it comes to choosing a childcare option, they can be quite picky. They want to make sure their children will be well taken care of, and that the service is clean, safe and fun. 

So how can you make your ECEC service stand out from the rest? By using photos. With an upgraded Care for Kids listing you can add gallery photos and with some of the packages, videos too.

Parents love seeing pictures of happy, smiling children enjoying themselves at the service. It helps them to see that their children will be in good hands. So go ahead and take some photos of your service in action! Parents will be sure to appreciate it.

The photos you select to represent your service are crucial to its success. Put yourself in a parent’s shoes and think about what images you would be drawn to when considering the right ECEC service for your child.

Ensure you select current photos that showcase the various features and facilities your childcare service has available e.g.:

• The outdoor play areas 

• Different learning spaces you have available

• Examples of the types of activities you organise

• Anything that stands out and shows what makes your service unique.

Upload high resolution photos (in landscape format 1600x1000 pixels) that are in focus. You can take good quality photos with your phone; read how to make your ECEC service shine through photography here.

2. Tell your service’s unique story

Here's your chance to tell the world (or at least parents in your area) what's great about your service. Copywriting can be a great way to capture parents' attention and highlight what makes your service unique. 

Instead of simply listing your services in the “About” section of your Care for Kids listing, use copywriting to tell a story about what your ECEC service has to offer. Describe the loving environment you provide and the range of fun and learning activities that children can enjoy. By showing parents what sets your service apart, you can attract more families and help your business thrive!

Use the “About” section to explain to parents what sets your childcare service apart from other options in your area. Include information such as:

• How long has your service been operating? 

• What hours and days are you available? Do you offer after hours/weekend/vacation care options? 

• Are you located conveniently to train stations, primary schools or access to highways for commuting parents? Is it easy for parents to park?

• Give some details of what your service offers including the types of programs you run for the children, what facilities do you have for the children to interact with?

The “About” section is your chance to introduce yourself and your service to parents. You want to grab their attention and outline the reasons why your service is a great option for their family’s childcare needs. 

3. Highlight your best features

A Care for Kids listing lets you highlight up your ECEC service’s best features. 

What do you offer as part of the service? Think outside the box and rather than listing only the regular features like nappies and wipes, come up with some that are unique to you or will set you apart from other services in the area e.g.

• Healthy in-home prepared meals

• Flexible care options e.g. after hours/vacation care

• Personalised, boutique setting

You can customise the features and choose an icon to match each one.

4. Include all relevant details and reviews

Parents love the details. Especially when it’s provided in a concise and direct manner. 

Did you know that 88% of people trust online reviews as much as they do a recommendation by someone they know? Quotes from the families that are currently enrolled or have been enrolled with you in the past, help other families trust and consider your service. 

Parents are more inclined to enquire and enrol at your service if you can include up-to-date reviews from current families.

5. Keep your listing up to date

Your ECEC service information can change month-to-month so ensure you always keep your Care for Kids listing up to date. Whether that means adding new photos you’ve taken, updating fees and vacancy details or talking about new facilities or programs you are offering, parents want to know about it and value a listing that is current. 

By subscribing to a Care for Kids listing and following our tips for success, you have the best opportunity to showcase your service and provide time-poor parents with all the information they need in one place, making it more likely you will be added to their childcare options shortlists.