How a daycare centre could use barter

How a daycare centre could use barter to improve its facility

Author: Neha Gupta, Writer for Ormita Australia Limited
Date Issued: January 2010

In this fast pace society often both parents need to work to keep the money
coming in. This has made daycare not just a requirement but a need. However,
every parent wants to make sure that their little princess or little rock
star has the best facilities. Hence, it’s important for a child minding
centre to create an ambience where parents believe that their child will
feel at home and have fun.

Books, toys, games, eatables, music and video players are a few among the
many equipments required along with the space to create a successful crèche.
This means a lot of investment. Or probably not!

All you need is a few tricks of barter.

• Barter on books: Every daycare facility needs books. These range
from story books to picture books, activity books to colouring books
depending on the age of the kids and their interest. So, why not make a
barter deal with a book seller wherein you sell some of these books within
your facility and you get your requirement of books for free. This is a good
deal for book sellers as what better place to sell children books then a
child care centre. Also books on parenting can be added as parents are your
regular visitors.

• Barter on games and toys: A similar barter can be made on toys and
games. In this case reaching out directly to a manufacturer would be a good
idea. As this will cut down on their competition and you will be giving them
free advertising with their target consumer that is children.

• Trade milk for discount: Milk, cookies, juices, yoghurt etc. are a
daily requirement. Make deals with suppliers giving them discount on
services. If they have children give them discounted or free day care
service under some preplanned mutual agreement.

• Referral program: Offer some percentage discount to parents who
refer three new customers to your crèche. This gives you mouth to mouth
publicity, helps to keep your existing customers happy and expand your
clientèle.

• Plan events: planning some events like a family fun night or family
outdoor picnic where parents and children all are present and you organize
games, dancing, quizzes and competitions helps to attract attention to your
business. Also, you can you this opportunity to barter advertising space to
other businesses in exchange for the items you need in your daycare.

• Offer specials to some companies: you can enter contracts with some
companies wherein you provide their employees special discount if they use
your daycare. This helps the companies to keep their employees happy and
gives you an opportunity to diversify your customer base.

So, the success of a daycare depends on the facility you create. And to
create a good facility you need a good deal have innovative ideas, not just
finance.