New Year’s Resolutions in Full Swing? With half of January now done, 2025 is now past the honeymoon phase. Now, let’s be honest, are you keeping with your resolutions? If so, how do your promises compare to the rest? Are you stacking up against your peers? Well, looks like most of us have chosen the common culprits we all try to fix. 21% say they want to save more money. 19% say they want to eat healthier. These are followed by more exercise and losing weight. Blah, blah, blah. But the BIGGEST winner of them all is at a whopping 43% that say “I’m not making a resolution” at all. 😒 Can you blame them? Competing with everyone seems to be counterproductive. Maybe next time I’m at the gym fighting the new crowds, don’t be surprised if you see me snacking on a few Oreos while waiting for the next treadmill to free up. But this time, I’ll only have three Oreos….not five. Hey, it’s a start.

Return to the Office Part Deux

Last week we started to unravel the topic of Return to Office (RTO) changes and the impact that may have on ECE enrollment. As employees begrudgingly head back to an office setting, ECE professionals have been front and center helping families. There was never any dispute about return to work. But this trend may now impact childcare centers and other ECE programs. Here are some considerations on what to expect as more parents are required to return to office and the need for reliable childcare options is expected to grow.

1. Increased Demand for Childcare Services

As more parents are required to return to the office, the need for reliable childcare options will grow. Though it may be tough for families, it might create new opportunities for providers.💰Many families who managed childcare themselves while working remotely may now seek professional care centers to support their return to in-person work. This could lead to:

• Higher Enrollment Rates: A surge in enrollment at ECE programs (both traditional and before and after school programs).

• Waitlists and Capacity Challenges: Popular centers may struggle to meet demand, creating longer waitlists.

2. Shift Toward Proximity-Based Enrollment

With parents returning to offices, the location of childcare centers will become a critical factor:

• Preference for Centers Near Workplaces: Parents may opt for centers closer to their workplaces for convenience. You know traffic will go up, too! Beep beep! 🚘

• Decline in Neighborhood-Based Enrollment: Centers in residential areas might see a dip in demand compared to those near business districts.

3. Changing Schedules and Part-Time Care Needs

Hybrid work models are becoming common, influencing how families approach childcare:

• Flexible Scheduling Demands: Families may seek part-time or drop-in care options to accommodate hybrid schedules. I wonder if they have an Open Table system for centers to help!?

• Customized Offerings: Childcare centers may need to adapt their services to meet these evolving needs.

4. Financial Considerations for Families

The increased costs of commuting and childcare might strain family budgets:

• Price Sensitivity: Families could prioritize cost-effective childcare solutions, impacting premium centers.

• Demand for Subsidies: Employers may face pressure to offer childcare benefits or subsidies.

5. Impact on Staff Recruitment and Retention

Childcare centers may need to scale up their operations to meet demand, which could present challenges:

• Staffing Shortages: Centers might struggle to hire enough qualified staff to accommodate growing enrollment. (Let’s hope it doesn’t kick on the Monday after the Super Bowl!)

• Operational Adjustments: Increased enrollment could require expanded hours or additional locations.

There are a lot of new factors that ECE leaders will need to start balancing. It’s not going to be easy, but these areas to help focus your attention on may help. Want to nerd out? 🤓Here is a technical overview of the state of the US childcare industry. We’d love to hear from you to see what you are doing to prepare for this change. What tools are you using? How are you managing? Send us a note to [email protected].

The Internet is a Playground

🗓️ On this Day: Louis XVI, the last Bourbon king of France, was executed by guillotine in Paris during the French Revolution.

🤡 LOL: How about using this funny name generator to create weekly nicknames for your team.

🛠️ Hmmm, That Helps: Simple 25 things to do to make life easier.

🥰 Now That’s Freaking Cute: Nom nom nom…

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Is there a topic you want more info on or want to share a funny story? Then let us know! Shoot us a quick email at [email protected]. This newsletter is for you, and well, you should have a say, don't’ you think?