Gardeners, I think, dream bigger dreams than emperors.
– Mary Cantwell, 1930-2000, journalist and novelist

In the article, “Making Parent Ambassadors Your Enrollment Building Partners” by Julie Wassom, she states:

“Most schools have a group of enthusiastic parents who love your early childhood education services and family engagement activities. In addition to Google and social media, young prospective families look to other parents’ referrals and reviews when investigating the best preschool fit for their family. Comments from others like them can strongly influence whether or not they contact your center, schedule a visit, enroll in it, or stay there.

Developing an effective parent ambassador program requires a few steps and good teamwork between you and the parents who partner with you.”

The possibilities are truly endless when educators and at home caregivers work together. Consider one of these steps for your program to harness the positive power of families.

1. Selection of Ambassadors
   Inform all parents about the program and invite them to choose areas where they would like to volunteer.
2. Determine Specific Roles
   Parents may have limited time or interests, so it is best to set up several categories of ambassadors.
3. Introductory Parent Ambassador Meeting
   Meet with your newly selected ambassadors as a group, in order to develop the specifics of your program.
4. Training and Expectations
   Schedule a separate time to provide parents in each role with your expectations regarding actions and the specific information to share with the parents with whom they will connect as ambassadors.

Read the entire article for more helpful tips to integrate parents into your centers enrollment strategy.