Families today turn to the internet when searching for childcare. As a childcare provider, one of the best ways to attract new customers and share your service with your community is to have a great childcare center website. It’s a key ingredient in your marketing funnel, which guides families through every step of the scouting and decision-making process.
Here are some of the most important things to include on your childcare center website that’ll benefit your business and the families you serve.
1. Good Web Design
Internet users today can distinguish an impressive website from a lousy one. When it comes to the design and layout of your site, you want to provide parents with a professional and streamlined experience.
Your homepage should be appealing and clear enough for visitors to want to navigate the rest of your site. Have clear CTA (call to action) buttons and a comprehensive menu with links to pages that have useful information.
2. Mobile Responsive Design
When creating or updating your childcare website, make sure it’s compatible with mobile browsing. Professional web designers know how to make all site elements look and function properly on mobile. Since more than 50% of mobile users browse the web on their smartphones, responsiveness is a must.
3. Professional Photos
Include high-quality images throughout your site. A great way to attract prospective parents is to include original photos of your childcare center. Avoid stock photos if you can, as they come off as cheesy and unoriginal.
4. Social Proof (Testimonials)
Before making a decision, people want to know what other customers are saying. Make sure your site is peppered with testimonials and positive reviews from happy families. These can include quotes, stories, and preferably a name and photo. You can include past and current parent testimonials.
5. Video Tour
Parents want to see what your facility looks like before they reach out for an in-person tour. Upload a short video featuring the director, key staff members, and equipment throughout your campus. It’s a great way to showcase a “day in the life” at your childcare center.
6. About Page
Your about page is where site visitors go to learn what your childcare center is all about. Things you can share on your about page include a brief founding story, mission statement, and tagline. It’s also helpful to share a few of the following items in depth.
Your Childcare Philosophy
What is your approach to childcare? Share what makes you different from other local childcare providers. This can include a special curriculum, unique on-site features, or stand-out enrichment activities.
Staff Introductions
Including staff members’ photos, names, and roles lets parents see who their child will be interacting with every day. It encourages interested families to move forward with their childcare signup.
Classroom Gallery
Post a few pictures of kids playing, learning, and enjoying their time at your childcare center. You can even include a gallery of classrooms, amenities, and play areas so that parents get a feel of the learning atmosphere.
7. Programs Page
The programs page is where you can inform site visitors about what your childcare center offers. It’s a page to showcase how it’s run. Here are some important things to include.
Ages Groups and Learning Frameworks
If you have various programs (for example, infants, toddlers, and age four), break them down on your programs page. Include the learning frameworks and developmental outcomes you use for each group.
Schedules
Listing the hours of operation, a seasonal schedule, and notable events on your website allow parents to compare your availability with their childcare needs.
Tuition Information
It might feel strange to publicly share the pricing and tuition of your childcare center. But this can notify parents that you’re being transparent and professional upfront— two qualities essential to reliable childcare.
Tuition and pricing details can include:
- Commitment period
- Plan options (part-time or full-time childcare)
- Free visitation or trial session
- Discounts for enrolling multiple children
- And more
You don’t have to share every term or fee in your tuition information online— that’s for the parent handbook. If you’re hesitant about including prices, you can write “starting at” dollar amount.
8. Parent Portal Page
A parent portal is an online platform where families can access their information and communicate with your childcare center. You have a few options to consider when setting up a parent portal page.
Childcare Application
Some childcare providers prefer in-person applications. But you can also accept them online, especially if your facility is used to multiple programs running year-round. Allow prospective parents to download, upload, and submit applications directly to you online.
Program Calendar
Once enrolled, maintaining a program calendar online lets parents easily keep track of their child’s class schedule.
Communication Methods
To avoid a cluttered email, many daycare and childcare centers provide direct message options to legal guardians. They do this through online and mobile parent communication apps, many of which are featured in childcare software.
Payment Processing
Having an online payment system makes your life as a childcare director much easier! It ensures parents can easily pay their childcare tuition on time— no more forgotten checks, confused pay schedules, or late fees. Many childcare payment systems allow recurring payments, which parents prefer.
9. FAQ Page
When someone visits your site to learn about your childcare services, they likely have questions. Having a page for frequently asked questions (FAQs) informs site visitors of all the details they need to know and decreases the number of busy phone calls.
Examples of FAQs to answer include:
- Is there a diaper changing station?
- Are snacks provided?
- When does pick-up time end?
- What will my child learn?
- Does my child have to be potty trained to attend childcare?
If parents have any questions that aren’t listed on the FAQ page, they can inquire through a phone call or contact page.
10. Contact Page
A contact page is one of the most important pages to have on your childcare website. This is where people go to directly contact you for any reason: enrollment opportunities, payment errors, program questions, and more.
Make sure you have a clear (and clickable) phone number on your site, as well as links to email, social media, and mailing address. Also, include a contact form where people can submit questions and concerns directly from your site.
11. Blog Page
For a more Google-friendly website, a blog page is a good idea. Posting quality content helps readers and search engines view your site as educational and authoritative, ultimately improving your site rank. Blogs also help with childcare SEO (search engine optimization).
Website Integrations and Advanced Childcare Center WebsiteTechnology
Having a professional website can be a huge asset to your childcare center. But it’s not the only piece of technology you need to run a successful childcare business. There are affordable mobile apps and digital childcare tools that help you organize, manage, and improve your business at all times.
Once your website is ready to go, you can integrate it with childcare management software. A childcare software handles parent communication, learning assessments, attendance tracking, billing, and more. It’s the perfect tool to use alongside a robust site when marketing and maintaining your childcare center year after year.
Curious about how to improve your online childcare management? Reach out to Daily Connect to get a free trial of this type of childcare software today.
