In this episode, Jennifer sits down with Zach Merritt, Senior Manager of Product Marketing at Procare Solutions, who spends his days talking with child care programs across the country and spotting the patterns that show up across hundreds and thousands of centers. Together, they dig into what separates the programs that continue to struggle from the ones that are truly thriving, and why sounding exactly like every other child care center in your area is one of the fastest ways to disappear into the background.
Zach and Jennifer talk about what today’s parents actually expect, why “safe, nurturing, and quality education” is no longer enough to set you apart, and how speed, transparency, and real-life content can completely change the enrollment experience. They also get into technology, automation, and how the right systems can give owners back hours each month without losing the human connection that makes child care so special.
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Below you can read the key takeaways from this episode:
- [3:02] Zach shares how his work with nonprofits, faith-based organizations, and education led him into the child care industry.
- [5:19] Staff retention, enrollment, and the overwhelm of competing responsibilities continue to be the biggest pressure points for owners.
- [7:43] The industry is still feeling the effects of COVID, staffing changes, and the end of many pandemic-era funding programs.
- [10:51] Owners have an important role as advocates who can bring real data and real business needs into policy conversations.
- [13:27] Thriving centers often find a meaningful way to specialize and carve out their own place in the community.
- [14:25] Zach shares how one North Carolina center built belonging and strong word-of-mouth by intentionally serving Indian immigrant families.
- [17:00] When every center uses the same words, parents are left comparing only price and convenience.
- [19:02] Your website, reviews, and social media are often the first places today’s parents decide whether you are worth exploring.
- [21:03] Fast now means automated, with an immediate response, helpful information, and a clear next step.
- [22:22] Families may stop searching as soon as one center responds quickly and makes them feel like they have found the right place.
- [24:23] Real photos, videos, and everyday classroom moments help families see what life inside your center actually feels like.
- [27:08] Owners have to look at their marketing through the eyes of the younger families walking through their doors.
- [28:47] Technology can turn hours of administrative work into minutes while creating a smoother experience for families.
- [30:15] Procare supports the full family journey, from the first inquiry and tour through enrollment, communication, and daily care updates.
- [33:22] The right software can save a center an average of 60 to 80 hours each month.
- [34:20] Zach’s first lightning-round answer is simple: stop sounding like everybody else and start responding faster.
- [34:32] Owners should review what is taking too much time and decide what software can take off their shoulders.
- [35:22] New owners should expect mistakes and focus on building a strong culture from the beginning.
- [35:44] Child care is becoming more widely understood as a vital part of the infrastructure that keeps society moving.
- [37:22] AI is opening new possibilities for automation, planning, and handling more complex tasks with less owner oversight.
- [40:15] AI can support the work, but it cannot replace an owner’s expertise, relationships, or responsibility for quality.
