Getting Your ChildCare Business Organized For a Great Year!
Throughout the month of January 2012, I have been preparing my center for Annual licencing Visits and it is time for us to renew Accreditation. I know it may sound like a lot of work, however, I have decided that my staff and I must get organized in order to accomplish successful licensing visits and to become re-accredited.
My first inspection of the year was a fire inspection and all went well. Our second inspection was a Sanitation and Food Service Inspection. I was so excited that the health departed rated my food service department with an “A.” When I looked at the report, I thought about all the organization that it took to assure that we passed the inspection the first time.
My next visit is my license specialist visit in February 2012 and a Missouri Accreditation observation visit in March 2012. With all of these upcoming inspections, I have found my self being more focused and organized like never before and I want to share with you some tips on how to get more organized for a Great year!
- Always be prepared for license visits. Take a look at your last inspection and strive to meet all the requirements to prevent re-visits.
- If you have employees, train them on the Licensing inspection forms and challenge them to help you to assure that your program is in compliance with your state childcare regulations. Be sure to discuss areas of improvement in the form of a weekly meeting.
- Create health/safety checklist to assure that you meet licensing/accreditation guidelines.
- Get parents feedback! Your parents will be glad to help you to create a great program. Create and issue a parent survey as soon as possible. It is vital that you know how parents feel about your program. Be sure to upload the feedback to your website or social media pages. Feel free to sample my program survey.
- Read a new business book or an entrepreneur magazine every month, to keep your creative juices going.
- When everyone leaves for the day, walk your business and look for disorder and get it organized. An organized environment looks good to the eye and kids learn best in an organized environment.
- Make a decision that this is going to be a great year for your business. In fact, you have the power to create a great childcare business with much organization and focus.
This year ,my goal is to get my business more organized, keep my office organized, finish incorporating the Reggio Emilia look, update my foyer area, update the playground, make more money than I’ve ever made in previous years and I’m looking forward to trading in my minivan for my heart’s desire.
I hope you have been inspired to organize your business for success and make this a great year in business. What are your goals for your childcare business? Feel free to share…
Shiketa
Ready to expand? Tired of dealing with staff issues? Need to think on another level? Join us in the 21-Day Mastermind e-Club!
Time To Organize a “Marketing” Plan That Builds Enrollment
When I first moved into my childcare center, I discovered that Marketing never stops. According to Milan Kundera, Business has only two functions – marketing and innovation!
Are you ready to develop a plan to Market your childcare business on a scale that attracts parents to you? I’m sure you do, because Marketing builds enrollment and being filled to capacity assures that there is a strong cash flow in your business.
Are you happy with your enrollment right now? In a recent Guerilla Marketing newsletter, Jay Conrad Levinson wrote: Did you know that 70% of your marketing could be missing the mark?
In Jay’s January 16, 2012 e-newsletter, Jay shares 2 reasons why people purchase products or services and they are as follows:
- People buy to increase pleasure and decrease pain. Are you marketing a pleasurable experience for children and parents?
- Other reasons people buy are to increase or improve their condition, seize an opportunity, and make life better. They buy to preserve what they’ve got, avoid risk, and keep themselves from becoming worse off. In other words, if they choose you, it’s because your program will make their life better.
Jay also wrote: “The Internet is the best way for advertisers to market to business decision-makers, according to a poll. A survey of nearly 1,000 people by Minnesota Opinion Research found 60% agreeing the Web was persuasive. Fifty percent said it influenced them to make a purchase. “Business decision-makers have told us that the Web is the best place to reach them,” said Chris Schroeder, CEO of Washington Post/Newsweek Interactive. “Most importantly, they’ve made it clear that what they’re seeing on the Web is leading directly to purchases.”
I hope that you have been inspired to find out how you can create a plan to attract parents to you or how you can make your program a pleasurable experience for their child. For example, I recently gave a parent a tour of my center. She was driving too many miles a day to take her son to preschool. Choosing my facility saved her gas and her son would now be in a program that was prepping her son for school success. In fact, her decision to choose my program improved her life.
If you are wondering how you can improve a parents life, ask questions when the parent calls you. Here are two examples of questions that you can ask parents that inquire about enrollment:
- Where are your children currently enrolled?
- How is that working for you?
- What are you looking for in a childcare program? If you can meet that need, invite the parent to stop by!
Finally, as Jay mentioned, the internet is becoming a more persuasive way to attract customers. I challenge you to review your website and develop a website that inspire parents to choose you. If you do not have a website, set-up a blog. Whatever you do, get a website.
A parent completed a Free Trial day form on my website and I called her back in December 2011. She told me that she loved my website and she just wanted to see the program. In fact, she told me that she had already made her decision to choose my program after looking at the website. Wow!! Just when I thought I needed to update my website.
In summary, take some time today to organize a 3-step marketing plan that includes questions that you will ask parents that contact you and a plan to develop a website that inspires parents to call or contact you.
For more great marketing tips, be sure to subscribe to Jay’s Weekly Guerilla Marketing tips. What do you think about the marketing tips in this post? I look forward to your thoughts.
Shiketa
On Day 8 of the 21-Day Mastermind e-Club, you will have access to Innovative ways to market your childcare business. Join the Club today!
Getting Organized To Issue Tax Information To Parents
I’ve been preparing and issuing yearly Child Care Payment totals for parents since 1999 and I have found that it is vital that I keep track of parent payments to assure that parents are issued accurate totals for their tax return.
In 2011, two parents questioned the payment totals that I issued to them (for 2010 childcare payments) and I thought that was impossible, because I was using Quickbooks to keep track of my weekly parent payments.
Moreover, I discovered, that I failed to record several payments in my payment receipt book, which resulted in two payments not being entered into the computer. I praised those parents for doing such a great job on keeping track of their childcare payments and thanked them for bringing the tax error to my attention.
In fact, I was so grateful for the error, because it inspired me to be more diligent about recording payments that I receive from parents.
Tom Copeland writes a great blog for Child Care Providers and I strongly suggest that you check out his blog post titled: A Family Child Care provider asks:Is it income if I don’t report it?
As I was preparing to issue Child Care Payment totals for 2011, I was reminded again of the importance of keeping track of parent payments and how time-consuming the process is.
According to Tom Copeland, “In any situation, however, money you receive from parents for child care is taxable income and must be reported on IRS Form 1040 Schedule C. If you fail to report all of your income there are several ways you can get caught:
* A parent who previously agreed not to claim the child care tax credit may decide later to go ahead and claim the credit when she realizes how much it can be (the maximum is $1,050 for one child).”
Furthermore, be sure to give parents a notice that indicates the following information:
- Your Tax Id number
- The Name and address of your business
- The amount that the parent paid you for childcare services
- The name of the child or children that you cared for
- Your phone number
- It’s also a good idea to add the following words on the Tax Letter Please keep with your “Tax Year” Records
The IRS does not look for any form in particular from you to issue to parents, however, the parent will need the information above to claim a child and dependent tax credit.
My final tip to you is to have a back-up system for keeping track of childcare payments and this includes:
- Creating a back-up file on a flash drive
- Keep a copy of the written payment receipts issued to parents
- Have payments stored in your computerized financial software for easy access
Have you prepared your tax statements or letters to issue to parents for 2011 yet? If so, how was the process for you? I look forward to your comments and tax payment ideas.
With your Child Care Business in Mind,
Shiketa
Are You ready to expand your business? Frustrated with the level that you are on? Check out the Going to Another Level, 21-Day Mastermind e-Club.
Getting Organized and Attracting Success with Feng Shui
Time to Get Organized the Feng Shui Way...
2011 was a very busy year for me. I was busy writing e-books and creating e-Courses. Due to my busy schedule, I failed to keep my office organized.
In fact, my busy schedule resulted in my office being cluttered, which led to clutter throughout the business. In 2011, My goal is to de-clutter and improve my business maintenance plan for a more productive year in business.
I am starting off the year by implementing some Feng Shui tips in my office and in the classrooms!
What is Feng Shui?
It is a complex branch of knowledge, which was developed by the Chinese. It simply explains the phenomenon of balancing energies to bring good health and wealth.
Robert T. Carroll sums up what feng shui has become in some cases: Feng Shui has become an aspect of interior decorating in the Western world and alleged masters of feng shui now hire themselves out for hefty sums to tell people such as Donald Trump which way his doors and other things should hang.
In this blog post, I want to inspire you to incorporate Feng Shui as an interior decorating approach to attracting success into your childcare business, getting organized and creating an environment that promotes health.
Becki Abeyta of Sharp Start Learning Center In Colorado Shares Photos of How she Implements Feng Shui in her Child Care Business: (See Photos Below)
This work space attracts positive energy. It’s de-cluttered and is full of light.
(see tips below about fish tanks)
I love how neat and organized Becki’s workspace is. In fact, I can imagine how productive a day in her office is like. When your work space is de-cluttered, you will feel so much more productive.
Moreover, I have always believed that the environment is a direct reflection of the mind and if you want success, it’s time to create a successful looking environment that leads to health and prosperity.
Here are 8 steps to incorporating Feng Shui in your Child Care Business:
1. Is it time to paint your office? Blues, Purples and Reds Enhance wealth and prosperity.
2. Add plants in your office. Looking at the color green enhance your creativity and plants add positive energy into your space. (remove any plants that are weltering or dying)
3. Remove any clutter. Clutter blocks the flow of positive energy. It also makes you feel cluttered in your mind.
4. Do you love the sound of water? Adding a water fountain will be a great improvement and it will enhance the energy in your office or business.
5. Open your blinds and let in some sun light. Sun light adds positive energy into your business.
6. Always sit with a solid wall behind your back. Keep your desk in a commanding position, where you have a direct view of the door and a view out the window.
7. Add an aquarium with blue and black fish; According to Feng Shui, it will activate your business.
8. Don’t add mirrors in your office, it reflects negative energy from clients to other people in the room. Always maintain the control of energy in your office or business.
I hope that you are inspired to get creative, incorporate more of nature into your business and activate positive energy in your business today. Moreover, I believe that your faith, and an environment that is filled with positive energy will attract wealth and prosperity into your business!
Thanks for Sharing your office space with us Becki!
To Your Success,
Shiketa Morgan
Join me in the Going to Another Level 21-Day Mastermind eClub!
Children Learn Best in An Organized Environment
January is a great time to get your classroom(s) in order. In fact, I believe that children learn best in an organized environment. I relate child’s play to shopping. When I go shopping on the weekends, I love to shop in an organized store.
If the store is not organized, I start to feel overwhelmed and most of the time, I leave the store. This is how a child feels when he or she is playing in a disorganized environment.
Have you ever watched a child wander throughout the classroom? Normally wandering children are looking for something to do or their minds are so over stimulated from too many choices, that they have a hard time making a choice.
This is why it is vital that your classroom space is organized in a manner that makes it easy for children to choose materials. I believe that the classroom is a great marketing tool and if it looks organized, it makes a great impression on parents.
Here are eight tips for getting your classroom space organized:
1. Label Toy containers with words and pictures
2. Be sure that play areas are labeled with center signs (for a clearly defined space)
3. Use area rugs to define play areas
4. Require that children pick-up toys as they play. This prevents the classroom from looking like a tornado came through it.
5. At the end of the day, re-organize centers, so that when children return the next day, they will see what an organized environment looks like.
6. Be sure that everything has a place and remove clutter. (Too many toys, will overwhelm the children)
7. Have a system to rotate materials every other week; to prevent the children from getting bored. You really only need 6-8 basket of toys on one shelf. If it looks cluttered to you, it will be overwhelming to a child.
8. Arrange books on the book shelf in a manner where you can see the front of the book and throw away damaged books. This really entices a child to choose a book from the shelf.
I challenge you to get started today, because children learn best in an organized environment! Feel free to share your thoughts and organization ideas. Check out this article: Get Organized! Preparing Your classroom for Learning.
Shiketa
Ready to Expand your Childcare Business? Having difficulty Managing Staff? Want to Improve Your Business Management Skills? Join the 21-Day Mastermind e-Club!
Picking Good People…The Test of Your Leadership
Picking good people for your business can sometimes seem like a treasure hunt and it is a test of your leadership. Inf act, this has been the area of operating a childcare business that has tested my leadership on may occasions.
During the interview process the applicant appears to be positive, he or she will say all the right things and wear the right clothes. However, the test begins on the first day of employment.
One thing that I have learned with selecting employees, is the simple fact that people do not reveal their true self until after they have been hired. Today I want to share with you some tips on how to pick good people for your child care business.
Selecting a Good Employee For Your Child Care Business
Schedule an interview with potential applicants during a time when the kids are gone are sleeping. Ask the following questions:
- Tell me about you
- Why should I hire you
- Are you willing to work flexible hours
- What would your previous employer tell me about you
- What are your goals
- What would a day be like in your class
Asking the questions above, will help you to determine if you want this person working in your childcare business or not. Be sure to contact the applicant’s previous employer, to verify employment dates and ask the following question, “Would you rehire this person.” If they say “No”, then I think you can make an educated decision and decide if this person is right for your business.
What happens if you discover that this person is not right for your business
Another Lesson that I have learned in this business is; “Be fast to fire and slow to hire.” If you notice behavior that you do not like, address it immediately and discuss a plan of correction. If the employee continues to repeat the behavior, do not hesitate to terminate employment.
Employees are very observant and if they notice that you will allow them to slack in the beginning, they will continue that behavior throughout their employment in your business.
If you keep the wrong person on your team, it will cause you more headaches than you ever thought you could have. The wrong person= wrong results.
Here are some traits of the wrong person: gossip starter, negative about your business, does not honor your request, slacks in performance along with many other negative attributes.
There is no perfect employee, however, you would know when an employee is right for your business, because you will see good results and you would be so glad that you made the decision to hire the employee.
Moreover, picking the right people will make your job easier and they will be an extension of you and represent your business well!
Bob Biehl says that 60-80% of the success of any company is in these 3 factors:
- Clear direction
- “The Right people”
- Sound finances
Happy Employee Selection,
Shiketa
Ready to improve your Human Resource Practices or Grow as a Business Leader? Join the 21-Day Mastermind eClub!
How to Get Your Parents and Staff to Buy Into your Vision
One of the toughest task of a leader is to get the people who follows him or her to catch their vision. Have you ever tried to implement changes in your childcare business and they were rejected by parents or staff?
Those changes could have included: tuition increase, new curriculum, your goals for the year, fundraiser changes, classroom changes,etc.
Whatever your vision or plans may be, I know how disheartening it is to have your vision rejected. If your vision has been rejected, I must let you in on a little secret; people must buy-in to the Leader before they buy into the vision.
If your Vision is often rejected by parents or staff, it’s simply because they have not bought into you. I remember when I decided to move my home daycare to a center. Out of 7 children only one child came with me. I asked the families that decided not to come with me, what inspired them not to come with me and their answer was; because we wanted our children in a home daycare not a center.
In other words, the parents wanted me to care for their children, not someone else. In fact, the one parent that came with me, she really trusted me with her son and I was her son’s first caregiver. Eventually, another one of my long time families, decided to come along, after visiting the center. The family realized that I was still a big part of their child’s care and they were compelled to enroll their child into the center.
Have you ever had an employee to reject your vision or plans? I have and the secret to winning that staff member’s vote is by finding out why he or she rejects the vision. Also, work on creating a win-win relationship or making a decision on if the employee is right for your team.
Like the good book (The Bible) tells us; How can two walk together unless they agree. Today I am going to share with you six ways to get parents and staff members to buy into your vision:
1. Work on building relationships. With parents, start discussions at pick-up or drop-off time to show them that you care. Make an effort to talk with staff members daily to see how they are doing and strive to learn something about them.
2. Be honest and authentic and develop the trust of parents and staff members. People tend to have more respect for someone who is open and honest with them at all times.
3. Hold yourself to high standards. If you believe in being professional at all time, be professional. Also, if your goal is to offer the highest quality of care, demand that those practices be honored at all times.
4. Give parents tools to be better parents. Equip your staff members to do a better job.
5. Help them to achieve their goals. For example, my assistant director is a girl scout leader. Every year I support her girl scouts by allowing her to set-up a cookies booth at the center. I also get free cookies every year! For my staff, I find out about their personal goals and strive to assist as much as I can.
6. Everyone is a leader. In fact, parents are leading their children and teachers are leading kids or other teachers. Moreover, this is why it is vital that you also promote leadership development or simply helping them to grow as leaders as you grow.
In summary, if you want others to buy into your vision, follow the 6 -steps above and they will buy into you!
Shiketa Morgan
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Source: 21 Laws of Leadership
How to Become An Inspired Business Owner
Being a childcare business owner has its rewards and at the same time, it comes with many challenges. In fact, sometimes the problems seem to exceed the benefits of owning the business. Moreover, this is why it is vital that you are exposed to people, information and resources that inspire you on a daily basis.
If you want to have more passion, more ideas and a bigger vision for your business; you must be inspired on a daily basis. Furthermore, it is important that you are inspired with a wealth of Leadership tips.
My leadership mentor, John Maxwell says that, “Everything rises and falls on Leadership.” In other words; A Business will only rise to the level of its leaders.
Are you ready to be an inspired Business Owner and develop the leader within you? I would like to share with you Four of the people that have inspired me to succeed in business and their links are listed below.
I believe that as you visit the following websites of the Inspirational Leaders below, that you will become an Inspired and motivated Business Owner with passion! Moreover, you will begin to develop a “Leadership” mindset.
Are You ready to become an Inspired Business Owner? Check out the sites below!
I look forward to your feedback about this week’s blog post. If you want to take your childcare business to another level in 2012, including expansion or start-up.
I would like to invite you to join the Going to Another 21-Day Mastermind e-club! For more info, click here.
Shiketa Morgan
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Developing The Leader Within You Will Change Your Business
My Leadership Journey….
I realized the importance of having great leadership skills when I expanded my home daycare into a center. In fact, my poor leadership skills had a huge impact on my business including; my response to creating change, managing employees, my attitude toward negative employees or even dealing with difficult parents and most of all….my role as the leader in my business.
After I finished typing the paragraph above, I thought, Wow…I was a mess! Yes, I was ready to expand my business, yet…I was not prepared for all that came with owning a center with 4-6 employees, managing a six-figure salary, conducting business meetings, mentoring employees and so much more that comes with owning a center.
After experiencing 2-years of having a high turnover rate, hiring the wrong people and having a bad attitude about my business, I was ready to make a change. That change was to Develop the Leader Within me!
Change the Leader…Change the Organization.~John C. Maxwell
I agree 100% with the John Maxwell Quote above. In fact, reading John Maxwell Books is what changed my business; helped me to discover my strengths as a business owner and inspired me develop my leadership skills.
Moreover, reading John Maxwell books helped me to discover that the problem was not my employees, it was not the parents, the problem was my attitude about the issues that I was facing. As I developed my leadership skills, every time that a problem occurred, I reflected on how I could effectively handle it.
I must say that as my leadership skills improved, I was able to restore the unity on my team, my worst employee became my best employee, I developed a supportive relationship with my parents, I trained my employees to be leaders so that they were more effective and the morale in my business improved dramatically.
To be quite honest with you, those changes did not take place over night, however, it did take a period of three years to see some consistency in my leadership and I am still growing as a leader today.
Home providers: If you do not have a desire to expand your business, please know that developing your leadership skills will be quite beneficial to you. In fact, it will empower you to think big for your home based business, gain influence with parents and it will give you vital skills that you need to lead assistants that may work with you in your home.
If you have a goal to expand your business, improve your business management skills or develop a millionaire mindset, you want to be apart of my 21-Day Mastermind e-club.
My leadership journey inspired the e-club and I believe that as you receive the empowering information that is provided in the club, you will transform your business. In fact, you will be equipped for your next level.
Join the Going to Another Level Mastermind e-club list Today! and Listen to my Going to Another level story!
Everything rises and falls on Leadership.~John Maxwell
Shiketa Morgan, Child Care Business Owner.com/Learning Days, LLC
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