When it comes to enrolments, it all adds up

Keeping rolls and waitlists full can seem like a never-ending and sometimes gargantuan task. We’re always looking for that one ‘big thing’ that will open the floodgates – and it’s sometimes tempting to put all our energies into one, or a few, bigger initiatives, and then give up when we don’t get instant results.

But here’s what we know from a deeper look at the kindergartens who have made the biggest gains in this area over the past two years: they work out what works best for their community, use all the tools, resources and support available, and then do a little bit of everything that works, on a sustained basis.

Some of our FOCUS kindergartens – the ones who were struggling to find new families – have managed to grow their rolls and reverse very concerning declines over the past few years. It has taken a willingness to try new things, the tenacity to keep on doing the things that work, and a responsive, service-oriented approach to prospective whānau. Change doesn’t happen overnight – but it does happen.

Stay and Play is a great example of a slow-burner…you may get one family for a few weeks, and then word gets out and you have four families! In Cromwell, the session got so big we had to look at splitting it over two days! Don’t give up, once it’s set up and becomes a routine event it will be so easy.

Stephanie Olliver, from Kidsfirst Linwood, has seen this multi-pronged approach in action, and prospective whānau notice lots of things.

"Today we had a new family come in. This is what I found interesting: As usual, I asked how they had heard about us, they named a Facebook group called Parents of Christchurch that is promoting us, and our wheelie sign that they can see from their house. But the tipping point was our flyer! So it took three different modes to get them in the gate."

Steph says there are so many different methods, but often the combination can be so beneficial, "I have also got the Stay and Play flyers up at the local Plunket via Maree the kaiawhina and sent the newsletter ad to Whitau school. We will keep it up."

Want to learn more about how it works for other kindergartens? We asked some kaiako what they do to excite prospective whānau, keep their waitlist engaged, and encourage participation amongst their kindergarten community:

And, if you need some fresh ideas or just want to talk through your plan for making the most of the New Year marketing blitz, email jenny.pitama@kidsfirst.org.nz, and you can read about our New Year marketing campaign here.

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