Work Matters: Leadership - A special day for all

Last weekend I was fortunate to receive that elusive combination of the sun shining on a scheduled outdoor event, nursery open day.

Love it or loathe it, marketing your nursery has got to be an active part of your action plan if you are to remain sustainable.

A nursery open day is one way of drawing attention to what you do, inviting your target demographic in to your setting while at the same time offering a fun-filled day of activities to your current families who should, after all, be your best sales people!

Choosing a theme will give the day a focus. I held mine on National Gingerbread Day, which provided the backdrop, tying in everything from the artwork on the invitations to the activities on the day.

I did a great deal of marketing, using the opportunity to both advertise the nursery and generate the support of local businesses. Through their involvement in raffle prizes. links were forged and relationships developed, not to forget the advertising that comes from the thank you posters and cards after the event.

Activities such as treasure trails and quizzes were planned to demonstrate the skills and knowledge of the staff and to encourage visitors to move all over the provision.

Rooms were set up to display typical activities, cards were produced to detail their aims and staff were on hand in every room to talk to prospective parents.

The day was also a wonderful opportunity to relax with current parents and children. In a familiar setting viewed in a very different way, everyone enjoyed all it has to offer. The bouncy castle, lollies and face painting were certainly not limited to the young!

The children thoroughly enjoyed themselves, enhanced by being involved throughout the process of planning and setting up the event. It was a huge success - as could be seen in the tired smiles of the children as they clutched their balloons and decorated gingerbread men on their way out.