By the Third Eye Marketing team · Updated 14 October 2026 · 7 min read
The short answerParents choose a day care after searching Google, checking Maps and reviews, reading your website and often asking an AI assistant. Win by being easy to find, showing the centre honestly, answering the practical questions up front and making tours easy to book, always with consent for any image of a child.
The parent journey
A typical parent searches “day care near me” or a neighbourhood name, opens a few profiles, reads reviews, checks fees, ratios and availability, then books a tour. Each step is a place you can lose them or win them. Our day care marketing page shows how the pieces connect.
Twelve ideas
1. Complete your Google Business Profile
Correct category, hours, photos of the space, a clear description and a tour-booking link. It is often the first thing a parent sees.
2. Build a tour-booking page
One clear page with a calendar, not a contact form buried in the footer. Parents are busy.
3. Answer the practical questions up front
Ages, ratios, hours, fees ranges, meals, curriculum, waitlist status. Put the direct answer first on each page and mark up an FAQ.
4. Ask for reviews after tours and enrolments
A simple message with a direct link. Reply to every review.
5. Show the space, not the children
Photograph rooms, outdoor areas and materials. Use children’s images only with specific written consent.
6. Introduce your educators
Short profiles with first names, training and what they love about the work. Trust is the product.
7. Publish a short virtual tour
A two-minute walkthrough of the centre, filmed when children are not present, lets parents pre-qualify.
8. Run a waitlist email sequence
With consent, send updates and openings. Waitlists convert when you stay in touch.
9. Partner locally
Employers, community groups, family services and neighbouring businesses are trusted referral sources.
10. Use seasonal content
Back-to-school, summer programs and holiday closures give you timely, useful posts.
11. Make AI answers accurate
Keep your details identical everywhere and publish clear answers so assistants describe you correctly. We cannot promise a recommendation, only a clearer presence. See AI visibility.
12. Track tours, not just clicks
Count booked tours and enrolments by source so you know which effort works.
A note on children and consent
Never publish identifiable images or video of children without clear, specific, written consent from their parents or guardians, and follow the rules of your licensing authority. When in doubt, show the space, the materials and the educators instead.
How to measure it
Track four numbers monthly: profile views and calls from Google Business Profile, website visitors from search, tour bookings and enrolments. Ask every parent how they found you.
Sources
- BrightLocal, Local Consumer Review Survey 2026, published 11 February 2026 (1,002 US adults).
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