Making your daycare stand out in a competitive market requires creativity and offering services that your competitors don’t. To set your business apart and attract more families, you need to give families perks that they can’t find in other child care centers around you.
Let’s take a look at five unique daycare business ideas that you can market to prospective families and that current parents will love!
1. Offer a Child Transportation Service
Busy parents often struggle with dropping off or picking up their kids on time, especially when juggling work and other responsibilities. It also is helpful if a child is in a half-day preschool program, but the family requires afternoon care as well. It’s especially valuable if your center offers after school care and you can pick children up from school
A child transportation service can solve these problems and add significant value to your daycare offerings.
How to Implement:
- Invest in a reliable, child-friendly vehicle equipped with car seats and safety features.
- Hire trained and vetted drivers who understand child safety protocols.
- Communicate your safety policies clearly to parents so they know their children are in good hands.
This service would make life easier for parents and attract families who may have otherwise opted for a daycare closer to home, or that works better for their schedule. It’s a practical solution that shows you’re meeting parents’ needs beyond the traditional daycare setting.
2. Expand into Party Rentals or Event Hosting
What if your daycare could double as a venue for birthday parties or family events? By using the building you already own or rent, you can create an entirely new revenue stream. Many parents are looking for venues where kids can safely play while they celebrate.
How to Implement:
- Set aside a space that can be easily transformed into a party area. Stock it with kid-friendly seating, decorations and play equipment.
- Offer packages that include activities, snacks and even staff to supervise the children.
- Market your daycare as a safe and fun place to hos memorable celebrations.
This idea differentiates your daycare from competitors. Also, new families will be coming into your center who will think of you when they might be in the market for a new daycare. You’ll be offering a service that keeps your daycare in the minds of families long after the party ends.
3. Provide Child Care for Travelers
Many traveling families need short-term, flexible child care, especially near airports, hotels or tourist hubs. Offering this specialized service can make your daycare indispensable to visitors who need trusted care while they attend a meeting or enjoy some local activities.
How to Implement:
- Partner with local hotels, travel agencies or event organizers to spread the word about your services.
- Create pricing plans for short-term care, such as hourly or daily packages.
- Maintain a vacation-friendly mindset by offering flexible registration procedures and activities that accommodate new children.
This kind of daycare is rare, so it gives your business a competitive edge. It also builds goodwill with your community and establishes connections with potential future clients or referrals.
4. Start an Evening Care Program
Parents working late or attending evening events often face limited options for child care. Launching an evening care program allows you to tap into an underserved market and give parents the flexibility they need.
How to Implement:
- Extend your business hours into the evening, offering quiet time, light meals and age-appropriate activities like storytime or art projects.
- Hire trained staff who are willing to work later hours and can provide a calm, soothing environment for kids to wind down.
- Prioritize clear communication with parents about your evening care practices and safety measures.
An evening care program offers convenience to families, ensuring that they don’t have to scramble for last-minute babysitting arrangements. A stable place for parents who work evening shifts, such as those in health care or law enforcement, could be a sought-after service in your community.
5. Offer Music Lessons
Parents love opportunities for their kids to explore creative activities, especially ones that contribute to their development. By offering music lessons on-site, you not only appeal to their love of enrichment but also provide added value that differentiates your daycare from others.
How to Implement:
- Hire a music instructor who specializes in teaching young children.
- Provide instruments like keyboards, drums or simple percussion tools for hands-on experimentation.
- Offer classes during regular daycare hours or as an add-on service for parents who want extra lessons.
Music lessons enhance creativity, improve cognitive skills and keep learning fun for kids. This value-added service could make your daycare more appealing to parents who want their children exposed to enriching experiences.
How Procare Can Help!
Standing out in the daycare business isn’t just about being different — it’s about offering truly helpful, worthwhile services that meet the needs of families.
With Procare, your child care center use the Programs and Insights tools to grow your business. As an administrator, you will have more options to create unique schedules that enable you to enroll children into more classes and programs! Plus, you get a clear view of your enrollment, staffing needs and open programs.
Check out this support page for more details and a video tutorial!
