Nursery World - Service areas

In the first of an occasional series on customer care, Maureen Smith asks what it means and gives advice on how to start providing it What are the most popular early years settings with the longest waiting lists? Usually, those who compete not only on costs and quality of childcare provision but also on customer service. Good customer care is no longer an optional extra in the current childcare market, and training to bring this about makes sound business sense.

What are the most popular early years settings with the longest waiting lists? Usually, those who compete not only on costs and quality of childcare provision but also on customer service. Good customer care is no longer an optional extra in the current childcare market, and training to bring this about makes sound business sense.

Staff training in customer care is a challenge, however. Managers have to tackle the long-held attitudes of existing staff and convince the newly-qualified that parents and children are customers, and private childcare settings are businesses operating in a competitive marketplace.

Equally, managers need to appreciate that training can only be effective when it is part of a management commitment to a customer-centred approach throughout the setting.

Register now to continue reading

Thank you for visiting Nursery World and making use of our archive of more than 35,000 expert features, subject guides, case studies and policy updates. Why not register today and enjoy the following great benefits:

What's included