Why early learning centres need a professional early learning management system
Today the role of running an early learning centre is like spinning plates, only each plate is a different task you need to have your full attention on at all times. With enrolling new children, attending to staff scheduling, and keeping parents in the loop it is all too easy to feel overwhelmed. Enter the professional early learning management system (ELMS), your secret weapon to streamline your operations, save your sanity, and get back to focusing on what matters most: the kids.
Modern early learning management: The challenge
Managing an early learning centre means balancing several spinning plates: Those constant messages from parents, enrolments, schedules, payments, compliance and oh yes … those emails. However, without a good system in place; these tasks can quickly become a never ending game of catch up leaving you feeling more like a firefighter than a manager. Here are some of the usual headaches early learning centres experience, and how an early learning management system comes to the rescue.
How an early learning management system solves these challenges
Problem 1: Administrative burden
Solution: Centralised and automated enrolment management
Would you find yourself despairing of manually processing enrolments and managing waitlists, reaching for another coffee, instead? With an ELMS you can get rid of the spreadsheets and paper. Parents can upload documents online, enrolments are automated, waitlists are handled like a pro — no more chasing after forms or wondering what happened to that crucial document!
Problem 2: Inconsistencies in communication with parents
Solution: Real time parent communication tools
We’ve all done it – crafting another email about a field trip or last minute closure and worrying if it’s even gotten to them. With an early learning management system, you can send out bulk messages, personalise communication, and use a dedicated parent portal to keep everyone in the loop. Plus, the automatic notifications will ensure you won’t have to guess whether parents got the message or not (you will actually get a little peace of mind).
Problem 3: Manual billing and payment errors.
Solution: Automated processing of billing and payment
Ah, billing. If you’re still manually chasing payments and sending out invoices, you’re not sleeping well. Invoicing and payment processing are taken care of by a professional ELMS and it can be all paid securely online. Even sends out gentle reminders about due payments so that you don’t have to! Think about a world where you’re not falling behind on payments, it’s amazing.
Problem 4: Tour booking chaos
Solution: A simple tour booking management system
Prospective families who have scheduled tours become a chaotic game of phone tag and forgotten appointments. Using an ELMS conveniently streamlines the whole process of managing tour bookings. Parents will be able to book available slots online, as well as simplify your schedule by automatically updating your schedule so that you never forget a tour or double book. You won’t have to scramble to squeeze in last minute requests or juggle your packed calendar. Once everything is automated, you’ll have perfect visibility over your availability and will be able to manage tours easily, no matter how busy, and you and your staff will be more organised and in control.
Problem 5: Staying ahead of compliance requirements.
Solution: Data storage and reporting reliably
Compliance is like a never ending paperwork whack-a-mole game. You think you are on top of everything, and then there is the audit or report that needs to be prepared. However, you’re in luck – an ELMS has your back. It securely stores all your data and gives you real time reports shortly when ever you want. All the information is easily accessible – no scrambling required whether it’s for a routine audit or for your peace of mind.
The long-term benefits of a professional early learning management system
The short term benefit of an ELMS (hello, fewer headaches) is a given, but so are the long term ones. As well as solving today’s problems, by adopting a professional system you’re setting your centre up for future growth and success.
When your centre grows, scalability becomes important.
It’s fun to run a growing centre but it can be cumbersome, like trying to bike and juggle at the same time. As your enrolments grow and your staff size increases, your problem becomes the ELMS’ problem; there is no more stress for you. More students, more staff, no extra chaos.
Improved parent retention
When parents are happy, everyone’s happy! ELMS helps improve communication, makes easy online payment options and makes it very clear what the experience will be like for the child at your centre. That’s a recipe for families who are satisfied, and are more likely to stay, and are then more likely to recommend your centre to others. Fewer headaches for you = happier parents.
Future proofing your operations
Centres that don’t embrace technology are going to struggle tomorrow. Investing in a professional early learning management system not only ensures that your centre is relevant, efficient and competitive, but also that it is in line with the digital world we are increasingly living in. And, you look tech-savvy all the way through!
Choosing the right early learning management system for your centre
Having been sold on ELMS benefits, the next step is deciding on the right one. Here’s what to look for
- User-friendly interfaces: You would not want to spend hours trawling through trying to work out how to use the system. Try to find something intuitive and easy for both staff and parents.
- Customisability: The problem is that every centre is different so you’re going to need a system that you can customise to fit what you need there.
- Strong customer support: After all, not all providers are the same! Good support makes all the difference when you’re in a bind.
- Security features: It’s sensitive data you’re handling, so security should go without saying.
Step up EnrolNow
Investing in a professional early learning management system is the gift that keeps on giving. You’ll save time and money, enhance your relationships with parents, and at last have the opportunity to concentrate on your true passion: building a more meaningful world for children. This is the future of early learning management, and it’s time we got on board. Explore EnrolNow One and Book a tour today.
