How To Keep Your Childcare Enrollment Full Year Round

Are you looking for ways to keep your childcare programs full—especially if you own multiple locations? One of the most overlooked areas in a successful childcare business is training your center directors and operations team to sell your program.

In this blog, I’m diving into the systems you need to build to boost enrollment and retention, and why empowering your team is the secret to staying at capacity.

The Missing Piece Most Owners Overlook

If you’re a multi-site childcare business owner, chances are you’ve invested time and money into marketing—but what happens when a lead actually calls or visits your center?

Too many leaders forget to create train-the-trainer programs that are both digital and physical. Without these, your team is left to guess what to say and how to respond to potential families.

During our upcoming conference, April 11–12, I’ll be showing you how to build these systems from the ground up. But here’s a sneak peek to get you started.

Join us at www.jumpstartmychildcaresuccess.com to reserve your seat!

Start With Empowering Scripts

Let’s begin with something simple but powerful: telephone scripts.

No more answering the phone with a dull, “Thank you for calling ABC Childcare.”

Instead, empower your team with a script like:

“Thank you for choosing Brunswick, the #1 childcare provider. This is Ms. Dickerson speaking—would you like to enroll your child today?”

This question sets the tone and leads the conversation toward a yes or no—allowing your team to confidently navigate the next steps using scripts and workflows.

• If the caller says yes: The workflow guides the staff on how to schedule a tour, collect information, and move the parent closer to enrollment.
  
• If the caller says no or hesitates: The script helps staff handle objections and re-engage interest.
  

Tour Time? Focus on Retention

Once a family schedules a tour, your retention systems need to kick in.

Make the tour experience unforgettable. That means:

• Offering a drink or inviting them to sit down.
  
• Using Parent Review Guides to gather feedback about their experience and their child’s needs.
  
• Giving your team a post-tour script that ends with:
  

“Would you like to enroll with us today?”

Every interaction should make the parent feel heard, valued, and welcomed.

Train Your Team to Overcome Objections

Parents will have concerns. You’ve heard them all before:

• “I need to think about it.”
  
• “I need to check finances.”
  
• “We have a few more centers to tour.”
  

Instead of letting these objections end the conversation, train your staff on how to respond. Your years in the industry mean you already know the patterns—now turn that into a documented training system.

Don’t Forget Follow-Up

Create:

• Follow-up call scripts
  
• Email templates
  
• Text message templates
  

These systems ensure your team consistently stays top of mind, boosting your chances of conversion and long-term retention.

The 10-Week Rule: Train, Train, Train

Here’s a game-changer: Train your team every 10 weeks.

Cover topics like:

• Marketing messaging
  
• Enrollment processes
  
• Retention workflows
  
• Phone scripts
  
• Follow-up systems
  

When your staff is consistently trained, they become better marketers. And when your labor force improves, your financial numbers follow.

Empower your staff. Systemize your enrollment. Follow up with intention. And train like your business depends on it—because it does.

See you at the top!
And don’t forget to join us at www.jumpstartmychildcaresuccess.com to learn how to build these systems for your business.

If you want to manage a childcare business that you love, you will love the childcare business that you manage.