Making the most of Local Media

Many kindergartens are finding success in getting published in local community newspapers. While these ‘old school’ publications may not always seem like the first choice for local promotion, they can still be very popular within the communities.

They are often happy to take story and photo submissions, and will sometimes even send out a reporter or photographer if you’re having an especially interesting event or have a news-worthy story to tell.

Kidsfirst Diamond Harbour now has a regular monthly column in their local newsletter, and others, including Kidsfirst Lincoln, make periodic submissions.

Keen to make the most of your local media outlets? Here are a few ways to start:

• Find out when your local papers, community and school newsletters publish, or the local radio programmes that might be relevant to prospective parents. Establish the form that they require submissions in, or whether they’ll interview you and create the content

• Use the #betterbecause messaging as a basis for everything you do. These messages are designed to communicate in a succinct but comprehensive way what the benefits of kindergarten and Kidsfirst are for tamariki, whānau and communities

• Create your own, unique key messaging for your kindergarten focusing on the ways you are different. If there are other ECE providers around you, make sure you highlight the areas that make you different. Be sure to include your hours, 20 Hours even for 2 year olds messaging and/or Get More messaging and that people are Always Welcome Here

• Be sure to send us anything you get published or the info you’re submitting through the story submission form so we can review as a possibility for Facebook and the Online Newsletter

Need some help? Email jenny.pitama@kidsfirst.org.nz

Check out the list of Community Newspapers here for a list of what is available in your area.