Prevent a fire in your school

Real fast post today - I've heard recently about several schools that have had pretty serious fires as a result of dirty bath exhaust fans. The buildup of dust and dirt on these fans causes them to overheat and short out - potentially igniting a fire.

Do yourself and your kids a favor - take the time to clean your fans today! You could save lives.

Opportunity Abounds

A great article from Childcare Information Exchange Magazine - I get their daily email, do you? I also think things feel like they are getting slightly more positive - how about you?


Opportunity Abounds
March 17, 2009
Actions, looks, words, and steps form the alphabet by which you may spell character. Johann Kasper LavaterDennis Vicars has upbeat advice on dealing with current economic challenges in his article, "Times are Tough... and Opportunity Abounds!" in the new issue of Exchange (March/April 2009). Here is an excerpt from this article that can be read in its entirety at ChildCareExchange.com."Hard times are just that — hard. For most, sticking their head in the sand and ‘waiting this thing out’ is a plan of survival. For others, keeping your head up with eyes wide open for opportunities is a chance to succeed abundantly. Here are a few opportunities, which might be available:
1. Staff is on board with a full understanding of the financial demands and current economic reality of the school/center.
2. All staff is committed to absolute excellent service, school/center cleanliness, and frugality.
3. All staff is involved in marketing of the school/center on a daily basis — both internally and externally.
4. All operational procedures are analyzed for greater efficiency with marketing activities tracked daily.
5. Vendor contracts are reviewed for possible reductions or renegotiation, including landlords.
6. Vendors are on board with increased quality, especially janitorial.
7. Parent communication is increased through personal contact and Internet communication.
8. The program is interviewing for higher-quality staff.
9. You offer ‘enhancement’ part-time schedules for parents losing jobs.
10. As director/owner, daily marketing is your number one priority.
11. You increase the number of ancillary services offered to help families (i.e., morning coffee, ‘free’ parent’s night out, etc.)
12. You increase weekend events at the school/center such as organizing a job fair for parents.
13. You increase your school/center’s profile through community activities with staff participation.
14. You personally attend various community groups as the ‘expert’ in early care and education. 15. You commit to being a little bit better in everything you do instead of being the best in one thing. You leverage additional benefits from existing vendors.
16. You increase the range of services you offer to families, where possible.

Do you feel alone? Remember the Alamo!

The Alamo - San Antonio, Texas

Many of our good customers are Kids R Kids centers from all over the country. I had the pleasure of attending their annual Owner's Meeting last week in San Antonio. It was encouraging to be around them and hear their perspectives on business and life in child care work in general. I saw how they learn from each other, share ideas for improvement and even share critical financial information with each other in the spirit of genuine help and concern.

If you are a solo operator of a child care center you may feel isolated with no one to share ideas, concerns and challenges. Many times those of us that own businesses can feel overwhelmed. I meet once a month with 6-8 other guys like myself. We act as each other's informal board of directors and help each other navigate this thing called business. It is extremely valuable - so valuable that we each block off an entire day each month and actually pay $400 to go!

How can you get some of the help you need? One idea may be to form an informal board of directors of people you trust. Build an agenda, feed them some food, ask them for ideas and input. Another idea may be to form a small group of other owners (maybe not even all child care owners) to meet and help each other.

Don't do it alone...get some help! The guys at the Alamo had their rally cry - what's yours?