klc106 Posted February 5, 2015 Posted February 5, 2015 Hi We are really finding it difficult to get children into our setting. We have a large banner on the main road near our village and a sign outside the village hall. We have had an advert put in the local soft play brochure but parents have told us the brochures are never out to view in the centre. We are based in a village that is around 100 houses and its a dead end so there is no passing trade. We have always been low on numbers (we've got 10 this term). As it stands we have only got 5 children down on the list for September. We have looked into moving premises but cannot find anywhere suitable If we can't get anymore children in we will have to close in July. We have asked our parents if they are happy with where we are, what we do etc. and everyone says they love the location and the building and the outdoor play access we have. We opened in September 2011 and got satisfactory in Nov 2011, having only 4 children. We had another inspection in Dec 2014 and got graded 'good' with one action point so we are hoping that will help. So, what has been your best form of advertising? Any advice welcome :1b Quote
larnielass Posted February 5, 2015 Posted February 5, 2015 Hi, Have you considered doing a fundraising activity and inviting the local press? What about inviting your local MP? (Bearing in mind an election is looming so MP's will be desperate for good publicity!!) I think the way forward is social media ie mumsnet, . 1 Quote
thumperrabbit Posted February 5, 2015 Posted February 5, 2015 We've paid a lot in the past for advertising but word of mouth seems to be the best for us. Could you try and get something in a local paper about what the children having been doing with photos if poss and obviously your contact details? 1 Quote
thumperrabbit Posted February 5, 2015 Posted February 5, 2015 Crossed posts with larnielass then :1b Much as I don't like it .... open page on Facebook? Quote
klc106 Posted February 5, 2015 Author Posted February 5, 2015 Thanks both. We have an open facebook page and also a website. We are in the process of planning a big family fun day for June when the weather is nicer. We did one last year but didn't really advertise the pre-school. We did raise £300 profit and the event was a huge success. We are planning on putting up lots of posters this year and balloons to highlight them and also have an information table with photo album etc. on. Quote
Panders Posted February 5, 2015 Posted February 5, 2015 Go to other events in the village and have a table there with all your info and photos - so the Garden Show if you have one or local school fete. advertise in the local schools fete programme, lurk outside local school infants and hand out flyers, ask at the GP's surgery if you can put something up on their notice board, ?local church ditto, got any toddler groups running nearby? Do a leaflet drop to all the houses. Write to Health Visitors office and let them know where you are. 2 Quote
Mouseketeer Posted February 6, 2015 Posted February 6, 2015 Was going to suggest asking HV to hand out fliers for you to, are there any baby/parent -toddler groups you could visit ? Or invite along to an open day ? 1 Quote
narnia Posted February 6, 2015 Posted February 6, 2015 Years ago, one of the best publicity things we did ( got us in all the local press etc), was to get hold of a new toilet..........we set it on a wheeled plinth and had it in the middle of the village, with a big sign.......'SPEND A PENNY FOR XX PLAYGROUP'............we raised a lot of money and lots of smiles, as people very happily popped their small change in the loo. You could do this ( as B&Q maybe, or a plumbing company) and hand out leaflets at the same time..................as your village is small, maybe you could try this elsewhere, and make sure you get the press involved.....and yes, bow to FB........spread the word and spead the love. Good luck 4 Quote
Inge Posted February 6, 2015 Posted February 6, 2015 Local schools newsletters ask if you can have a few lines in there.. Have a stall at all local school fêtes, etc.. set up a simple game for children to play and big advertising banner/ information/chat with parents highlighting the sizeof the group and it being small with all the positives you can think of . Make some small posters/ adverts for parents to display in cars.. was surprising how many we had join from that. get yourself in local paper - we always had a lot of enquiries after being seen doing something with the children.. we never got anything from paying for adverts.. Quote
klc106 Posted February 6, 2015 Author Posted February 6, 2015 Thank you all. Lots of helpful ideas there Quote
lashes2508 Posted February 7, 2015 Posted February 7, 2015 Research the needs of your families - are the local parents travelling further afield as they need longer hours , do you have a children's centre in the area nearby ? Do you run a toddler group yourself or thought too , many of our children come up through toddler group . I am often there to speak to prospective parents. We are semi rural but we have a lot more dwellings so can only empathising the difficulty you have . Some great ideas above especially Narnia 's 1 Quote
thumperrabbit Posted February 7, 2015 Posted February 7, 2015 What about a play barn or local pub that has a play area attached 1 Quote
SueFinanceManager Posted February 9, 2015 Posted February 9, 2015 Could you speak to local health visitor / put poster in local doctors surgery Poster village shop and maybe a few newsagents outside the village Is there a parish magazine? These are often quite cheap to advertise in Facebook and Twitter - these are really cheap ways of advertising but you need to keep an eye on them and respond quickly if people ask questions etc Local newspaper Local sports centre Hope one of those helps 1 Quote
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