I recently had the opportunity to transform a website template previously designed for a swimming teacher into a stunning website for a Canadian preschool. I’m excited to share some tips on how you can design an effective website for your preschool. While designing a preschool website can be playful and fun, it’s crucial to prioritize the right information and know your user flow to convert potential customers into new students.

Set yourself apart from the competition

You are probably not going to believe this, but I know at least one local preschool that only relies on word of mouth and doesn’t have a website. I don’t understand how a business survives without having a website but apparently, it has worked for them for over a decade. Just because they are lucky enough, it highly unlikely the same would work for any other school.

I know of a lot of preschools that don’t update their websites, which makes it very difficult for me, as a parent, to trust their information without an in-person visit. Most of the time, I won’t even visit those schools unless, they were recommended by someone I know or by a trusted online source. Needless to say, if you have a preschool, please don’t depend on other people to tell your clients who you are.

A lot of times parents will pick a preschool solely on their learning philosophy. I did! When I was looking for a Montessori preschool for my kids, I ignored all the others.

Being able to show up on search engines based on your learning philosophy is very important to make sure you are considered by parents who are only looking at that criteria. Highlighting the learning philosophy, will allow you to showcase your unique positioning in the market. To help create a more inviting environment for potential students, make sure to share details and pictures of class activities.

In short, an updated website is essential for any preschool looking to attract and retain families. By providing clear and concise information about the school’s offerings, as well as easy-to-use features like registration and communication portals, preschools can create a positive online presence and build trust with parents.

Key Features of a Preschool Website Design

Creating a website for your preschool is an important step in ensuring that your school is competitive in the digital world. In order to create a website that is engaging and effective, there are a few key features that should be included.

• Homepage

The first important feature of a preschool website is a homepage that is easy to navigate. The homepage is your opportunity to captivate parents and invite them to learn more. You will have just a few seconds to keep their attention, so make sure your message is very clear as soon as they enter your website. Tell parents exactly what they should expect from working with you, right away. It should have an inviting look and feel that captures the unique personality of the school.

• About Us

This page should include information about the school’s history, mission, and philosophy. Additionally, this page should have pictures of the school and staff members to give potential parents and students a sense of the environment. The “About us” page is where you build a personal connect and trust with your audience.

• Classes

Another important feature for a preschool website is a “Classes” page. This page should include information about the different classes offered at the school, such as age groups, topics taught, and class sizes. Additionally, this page should include pictures of the classrooms and activities to give potential parents and students an idea of what to expect.

• Registration

An important feature of a preschool website is a “Registration” page. This page should include a registration form that allows parents and students to easily sign up for classes. It should also include pricing information and payment options to make it easy for parents and students to register.

• Contact us

In addition to the key features mentioned, a preschool website should also include a “Contact Us” page. This page should include contact information for the school, such as phone numbers, email addresses, and social media links. It would be nice to also include a map of the school’s location to make it easy for parents and students to find the school.

• New and Events

A preschool website should have a “News and Events” page. This page should include any upcoming events or news that the school wants to share, as well as pictures from past events. It is also a good idea to include a newsletter subscription form to allow potential parents and students to stay informed about the school.

• Blog

In addition to these important features, a preschool website should also include a “Blog” page. This page should include articles from the school’s staff and students about topics related to the school and education. Make sure to have a comment section to allow potential parents and students to ask questions and interact with the school.

A blog or news section can showcase the school’s engagement with its community and provide valuable information to parents. By regularly updating the blog with posts about classroom activities or upcoming events, parents can get a better sense of what the school is like and how it operates. This can also improve the school’s online visibility, making it easier for new parents to find and choose the school.

• Communication

Another valuable feature of a preschool website is to have a communication portal for parents. You can use either a blog announcements pop-up, or a third party like HiMama.

It’s important to be set up with a good communication tool so that you can quickly respond to new developments and changes in the educational environment.

• Resources

Finally, a preschool website should include a “Resources” page. This page should include any external resources the school wants to share with potential parents and students, such as educational websites and local services. This page should also include links to any social media accounts the school may have.

Long-term benefits of having an Easy-to-Maintain Website for Preschool Management

An outdated website can be a red flag for parents, as it may suggest that the school is not up-to-date with their practices or communication. But how do you keep up with constant updates, and still run a school? By having an easy-to-maintain website, you can quickly delegate the website update as multiple people in your organization can be familiar with this task.

An updated website can help streamline the enrollment process for parents, making it more likely that they will choose that preschool over others.

Having an easy-to-maintain website is essential for any preschool. It allows preschools to keep parents informed about news and events, reach out to potential students and families, and stay competitive in the digital world. The Green Circle Preschool is a great example of a preschool that has embraced the importance of an easy-to-maintain website.

When parents can trust your website, they feel confident in their decision to choose a preschool that aligns with their values and educational goals.

Read a preschool website case-study.

If you are looking for a website that showcases your unique philosophy and attracts new families, I would love to help! I have templates like the one mentioned above, that you can customize yourself to save time and money, or I can completely customize a website for your school. Contact me to learn more about my website design services.