How do you enroll new children in your childcare without spending a small fortune?  Word of mouth referrals.  Most people rely on their family, friends, and neighbors to refer them to an honest mechanic, a caring doctor, or a good butcher.  Finding a childcare provider you can trust is no different. 

Here are four things you can do to generate word of mouth referrals:

1. Emphasize Your Professionalism.  Most people can give good enough service.  In order to ensure that someone will refer you over another person or childcare, you must give impeccable care. What do you do that no one else does? What will you do to stand out among the rest?
2. Build Relationships with Parents.  In order to obtain referrals be more than an ordinary childcare.  Listen to your client’s needs and then make sure you can help fulfill those needs.  Make it a point to know the birthdays and anniversaries of your kid’s parents and mail them out a personal card on those special dates.  When you build a relationship with the parents of your childcare they come to know and trust you and in turn, they will be more likely to refer you to others.
3. Reward Current Clients. Reward clients for their loyalty to you. As a customer there is nothing better than feeling like you are appreciated.  Every month, give one of your child’s parents a gift card to Starbucks or your local pizza place.  Money’s tight?  Write out recipe cards for a quick dinner idea to give to parents.  Love to bake?  Make a huge batch of your famous cookies and share them.  Garden at home?  Share your beautiful tomatoes.
4. Try Incentives to Stimulate New Business. Send potential clients incentives for trying your service. Need help targeting new clients? Try asking the parents who have children currently enrolled in your childcare for a list of people they know who might be interested in using you in the future. Offer newly enrolled families 15% off tuition for the first 3 months and a week free for the family that referred them.

Happy customers can be your best sales team because they don’t get paid to sing your praises. I know my friends and family aren’t easily impressed, so when they recommend a product, business, or person, I know I’ve got someone I can trust taking care of me.