Before enrolling their child in a centre, parents may first want to know if their child will be in good hands by asking for a tour of the centre. But now, this may seem harder due to COVID-19. In order to still be able to meet these parents’ requests and stay safe, below are some options on how to give a centre tour during COVID-19 and some tips to make sure it goes smoothly.

1. Pre-recorded Tour

This is an option that is tailored towards families who cannot come into the centre and aren’t able to schedule a virtual live tour. The downside to this option is that the tour is not personalized towards a specific family and no questions can be asked by the parents. Some tips to make the video look professional and intriguing include:

• Having someone else record the video instead of you recording it yourself since you may be in the video
• Making sure to know what you want to say in the video. This includes having an introduction and an outro, as well as bringing up points that parents will find the most important
• Showing what the centre’s day-to-day will look like with the new safety guidelines in place. For example, showing how your staff will be wearing PPE and how physical distancing measures have been put in place.
• Showing the different rooms that children of the centre may be in, instead of just one.
• Practicing before you record to ensure that you don’t stumble across your words and to minimize the number of takes.

This video can be posted on your childcare centre’s website or YouTube channel so that prospective families will always have access to it.

2. Virtual Live Tour

This is the best option to offer during COVID-19 as families can stay safe in their homes while still being able to ask you questions and see the centre. This interaction can make the tour feel more personalized towards the parent and keep them intrigued. Here are some tips to make sure a virtual live tour runs smoothly:

• Use a video platform you are familiar with to ensure you understand how to work the technology. Also have more than one option to offer to parents as some may not be comfortable with a specific option.
• Whenever you are showing your face, make sure the camera is far enough away that parents aren’t seeing your face zoomed in.
• Follow safety guidelines while recording (like wearing masks and social distancing) to display to parents that you are sticking to the rules.
• Make sure your internet connection is stable or use data to ensure that video connection isn’t lost while giving the tour.
• If you are giving the tour while your centre is running, use earphones so that your voice is still heard despite the background noise
• Allow for parents to ask questions so that you could address their concerns

3. In-Person Tour

With in-person tours, parents are able to see first-hand what your centre looks like. There are some parents now who are comfortable with viewing the centre first-hand so if you were to give a tour in-person, you would need to make sure to follow all safety precautions. Things to do include making sure all parties wear masks and that after the tour is complete, to go back and sanitize everything that was touched to ensure that there are no contaminants remaining.

Despite COVID-19, having tour options for parents is crucial. By having multiple options for families to choose from, they can decide for themselves what they think is the best way to view the center. And with any tour you provide in which the family is actively engaged, make sure to follow up with them and are there to answer any future questions they may have.