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How to Create a Cool Place for School-Age Children

I began transforming my school-age program in the spring of 2010 with the help of a Missouri T.E.A.C.H. project Pilot grant. The information and resources that I gained while completing nine college semester hours of youth development training hours inspired me to create a cool place for school-age children.

In this blog post, I will share with you 5 ways to create a cool place for school-age children:

1. Solicit feedback from the children. Ask the children what type of activities that they would like to see in the program this summer.

2. Assess the environment and added materials that are appropriate for their age group. Changed the classroom centers to ,”Clubs.” School-age children love to belong to clubs and this makes the environment a cool place to explore. For example, The cooking center is now called the, ” Cooking Club” and the Art area is now the “Art Club.”

Fun materials to add to your environment: Games, clay, paint, paper, scrap booking materials, yarn for crocheting, hobby magazines, wood working materials, variety of books, dress-up clothes, blocks, large cardboard boxes, computer, sports equipment, puppets/theater, dramatic play prop box (hair dresser, store,etc)

3.  As you make changes  observe the children to see how they are responding to the environment. If the  children seem to be very involved in the materials and more focused…you did a great job!

4. At my childcare center, we plan a cool and fun-filled summer camp every year. The weekly activities are theme based and there are  a variety of field trips planned every week. For example: Mondays- Park Day; Tuesday- Visit a local attraction; Wednesday- Free Movie Camp; Thursday- Library (Summer Reading Club) Friday- Visit local attraction.

The parents are responsible for all field trip fees and the field trips are planned for the entire summer. Furthermore, the last week of camp is back to school fun and we plan a big back to school party for the children.  See my website for ideas

5. Ideas for the Fall Before/After School – Kids Club- In many cases parents need some place for their school-age children to go before/after school and creating after school club activities, is a great way to keep the children from getting bored. Some of the after school kids clubs could include: Art, Science, Music, Cooking, Drama, Technology, Math, Literacy Club. For more tips on how to create clubs visit, After School Training Tool Kit website.

Cool Summer Camp Marketing ideas:

  • Add a large Summer Camp Here Sign in your window (if permitted)
  • Market your summer camp program on your website and on your social media pages
  • Decorate your windows with summer decor
  • Be sure to insert Summer Camp Enrolling signs in your van window (if permitted)
  • Issue Summer Camp Flyers to your local schools
  • Offer incentives for parents who refer families to your summer camp

For more marketing ideas, check out my Marketing 101 Toolkit.

With your Child Care Business in Mind,

Shiketa Morgan

Follow my Child Care Business Tweets @ccarebusiness

 

Category:

Child Care Center, Curriculum, Family Child Care, Program Planning, School-Age Program

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How To Reassure Staff During a Low Enrollment Season

Every year in August as my summer camp comes to an end, many of the school-age children leave the program to go back to school and this usually leaves 16-to-20 slots for me to fill. In fact, this year, I started marketing my program 6-weeks before the camp ended, so that  as the school-age kids were leaving the program….the preschoolers would be coming in.

Several days prior to writing this blog post, I was observing two of my staff members as they talked about how many of the kids had already left the program due to the summer camp ending. One of the teachers looked really concerned. So, I walked over and said to her, “You seem to be worried about the enrollment?” She (sadly) replied, “Yes I am.”

I kindly reminded her that this season is not going to last long and that we will have new students coming soon. Also, I encouraged her  not to worry about her hours being cut or losing her job. After I spoke with her, she smiled and appeared as if two buildings were lifted off her shoulders.

Moreover, since my talk with the teacher who was concerned about low enrollment, I have enrolled six new students and this was the response that I received from that concerned staff member, Wow! You said more children would be coming!

I only have a few more enrollment slots to fill, however, I am so thankful that I did not have to lay off staff due to a sudden shift in enrollment after the summer camp ended. Furthermore, after my brief talk with that teacher, I also realized the importance of having open and supportive communication with your staff during tough seasons.

Furthermore, be careful of  the words that you speak over your childcare business as you build enrollment. Your words are so powerful. So, be sure to stay in a mode of expectation.

I shared my story with you to encourage you to reassure your staff when there is a change in enrollment, especially during low enrollment seasons.

Here’s something to think about: you depend on the money from your business to pay your bills and your staff depends on you to provide them with a  job to pay their bills, so in the event that you foresee or anticipate a shift in enrollment, they should be informed. This will help to minimize unnecessary anxiety or gossip.

Also, be sure that you are not worried and always have confidence that more kids are coming. As you walk in confidence during a Low Enrollment season, you can be assured that your staff will catch that same attitude!

With Enrollment in Mind!

Shiketa

Im just a phone call away! Schedule a business coaching session with me if you need my assistance. click here

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Category:

Budget, Business Management, Child Care Center, daycare, Enrollment Building, Marketing

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