Community is more important than ever. People are seeking for and thrive on community. We hear it takes a village to raise children, and that is especially true in child care. Many child care providers create a partnership with parents to ensure the children grow and develop at their schools. We can see how creating that sense of community among the children, staff, and parents really creates a strong foundation and ensures the best possible care for the children.

As child care providers, we need to see ourselves as a larger part of the community beyond our school walls and the children, staff and families we serve. There are 3 reasons why it is important for us to make community connections.

1. Learning and Meeting Community Needs

   Being active in your community and getting involved helps us understand what our community needs are. You can join local community boards such as your Chamber. This will help you meet new people in your community, learn what is happening in your town and help you see where you can support.

   
   

2. Online and Social Media Community Presence

   We have learned how important it is to have an online and social media presence but it extends far beyond just our own online presence. It is important to like, follow, and share pages in your community. It not only builds relationships and helps keep you in the know about what is happening, but it also helps boost your online and social media presence.

   
   

3. Support and Giving Back to your Community

   Now that you have done the above and you are connected and involved in your community, it is time to get active! Find ways that you can support your community by sponsoring programs, collaborating with community partners and volunteering whenever you can. This helps strengthen your community as a whole and make you an instrumental piece.

Why is all of this so important?

It is so important because as child care providers, we are almost 100% reliable on our local community and patronage for the success of our schools. The majority of the children and families that you enroll will be living within your local community. This is also true for the staff that you hire. Most employees are willing to travel up to 20 minutes to their place of work. These two facts combined make it essential to have a strong presence in and support for your community so you can attract the best staff and have a fully enrolled school.

There are many ways to work with your local community: form local partnerships, join local chambers of commerce, use social media, flyers, yard signs, postings, word of mouth, business card bombings, brochure displays, promotions, and seasonal activities; to name a few. These are great ways to make community connections in a very broad sense.

Here are 5 Key Ways to Build Community Connections!

1. Create a Kids Corner

   Partner with local grocery stores, real estate offices, pediatrician offices, etc and create a Kids Corner that your school will sponsor. Set up a table with paper, makers, and easy to store activities and toys. This creates a space for kids to play during waiting times.

   
   

2. Free Surprise with Purchase

   Partner with local restaurants and pizza shops and stock them up with a free surprise for kids when they come in to eat or when they order. You can get coloring books & crayons with your logo on them to give out or you can label small activity bags. Take your promo items to the stores you partner with and have them give them out when families come in to eat or order pizza delivery. You can both advertise this Free Surprise and drive in business for the stores and for your schools.

   
   

3. Never too Young to Make a Difference

   Connect with local food pantries, animal shelters, maternity care centers and other community resource locations to see how you can give back to your community. Have the children make dog treats and then take them to the shelter or do a food drive and deliver all your collected items. The local support needed is endless. They learn to care and give back to their community all while having fun!

   
   

4. Parades and Local Events

   Participate in all parades and local events. In parades, you can pass out small flyers and treats. At local events, you can set up a table of activities for the families to do while they attend the event. It is fun to participate in and also drives awareness to your school.

   
   

5. Create your own event!

   Sponsor a Summer Bash or create an event that is open to the whole community. Make the theme relevant to the time of year. You can have food trucks, games, and activities for all ages. One example would be: Summer Bash - Have yummy food, cotton candy, and snow cones. Invite your local police, fire trucks and ambulance for a "Touch a Truck.” Have a moonbounce, face paint, water play station, and bubble station set up. Have a current fun movie character walking around to give autographs and take pictures. Have a craft activity station for the kids to get creative.

The possibilities of community connections are endless. Get creative and be very relevant to what your community culture is and needs. It takes a village to raise children but it also takes a village for communities to grow and thrive. The most important thing is to have fun while you are making these connections!!!

Jennifer Slavin is a Child Care Business Coach for The Child Care Success Company. Jennifer Slavin has been working with children since she started her own child care business at age 11 called “Best Babysitter!” She holds her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and her master’s degree in Early Childhood Education. Jen also holds a Director’s Credential, National Administrator’s Credential and a Business Leadership Certificate.