This blog was initially published in 2018 and was updated with new information on July 7, 2022.

Back-to-school activities will be here before you know it! Now is the time to make sure everyone is up to date and ready to take on this new school year.

Procare is here to support you! Check out our training videos and support articles that will help you navigate the busy season:

• Procare Desktop
• Procare Online
• Procare SchoolCare Works

And here are some helpful tips to help you get everyone on track to make for a successful start to the year.

Prepare Your Teachers

Most of your teachers are probably experienced and know what they need to do to prepare for a new year, but it doesn’t hurt to check in with them. Remind them of center policies, inform them of any changes you’d like to see made this year or goals achieved and make sure they have all the materials and supplies they need.

Most importantly, check that they don’t have any questions and aren’t already overwhelmed. You don’t want them to start the entire year on the wrong foot. Keep communication with them open!

Prepare Your Parents

It’s time to send out some emails. Welcome new families, ask current families for updated allergy and immunization information and remind all parents of policies, including any changes.

If there’s a special back-to-school activity you’re planning, let them know of any extra supplies they need to send with their kids too … perhaps they’ll need bathing suits on that first day for a welcome-back afternoon of water play.

Just like with teachers, an open line of communication is key.

Prepare Yourself

Have you completed the updates, informed teachers and parents of changes, input new student information into your Procare family data module and communicated expectations for the new year? You might be almost ready! Don’t forget to prepare all children’s schedules before the first day, too.

Check out this back-to-school webinar to refresh on Procare’s functions like batch enrollment, charging registration fees, scheduling and more.

Procare Is Ready to Help with All Things Back to School!

If you need one-on-one assistance, our support team is here to help. We offer remote assistance and one-on-one training sessions. Click here for hours and contact information, including phone numbers!

The start of a new year is also the ideal opportunity to take a critical review of your child care center and set some new goals with concrete plans to achieve them.

Maybe it’s time to really focus in on increasing your enrollment or finding a more efficient way to collect tuition from parents. Whatever your goal is, make sure it’s specific, measurable, and time-bound. This will not only give you realistic and attainable goals, but provide you the motivation to reach them.

With Procare, you can:

• Accurately and easily track attendance and children’s activities
• Keep families up to date by systematizing communications like their children’s schedules, key events and important forms
• Automatically bill your families to ensure on-time payments

See how else an integrated child care management platform can help you run your child care business with ease with this infographic.

And take a little time for yourself before the school year starts! If you’re well-rested, relaxed and mentally prepared for what’s ahead, the start of the school year will run that much smoother.