The calendar is flipping, and you know what that means for your fitness facility: the biggest membership surge of the year is coming. The wave of New Year’s resolutions is your golden ticket—but it also presents your greatest challenge: retention.
Every January, gyms and health clubs fill up with motivated members, but within weeks, attendance often drops off. For parents, one of the most common reasons for this quick churn is simple, yet often overlooked: the struggle to find reliable, safe childcare that fits their new workout schedule.
This is where Jovie steps in, transforming your on-site childcare from a logistical hurdle into your most powerful retention and acquisition tool.
How On-Site Childcare Will Enhance Your Gym or Club
The New Year’s push is fantastic for acquisition, but savvy club owners know that the real money is made in the long haul. A parent who commits to a fitness routine in January but struggles to get to the gym because their sitter cancels or the club’s “kids room” hours are limited will be the first to cancel in February or March.
By partnering with Jovie for professional on-site childcare staffing, you send a clear message: Your gym is designed for committed adults, including busy parents.
Offering professional childcare as a core service at your gym or club will bring several benefits to your facility:
Increase Member Retention with On-Site Childcare
Put yourself in one of your member’s shoes: you’re a busy parent, and it’s time to renew your gym or club membership. You love having the option, but it’s hard to get there often enough to justify the membership fees because you have a kid at home. Or, it’s time to renew, and you heard about a new gym or club in your area that offers childcare. Even if you love your current spot, it’s hard not to consider switching to a place where you can bring your child. On-site childcare can significantly boost retention and increase member satisfaction. Happy parents are more likely to renew their memberships and become loyal patrons.
Attract More Clients with On-Site Childcare
Speaking of loyalty, imagine what will happen when all those happy members share about your services at their child’s daycare, school, or playgroup. Parents looking to get back into a workout routine or ready to drop the stress of needing to find a sitter for an hour or two to enjoy their club will be relieved to hear your business offers on-site childcare. Never underestimate the power of word-of-mouth advertising – especially among parents of young children!
Boost Revenue and Build a Family-Friendly Reputation at Your Gym or Club
When you’re retaining more clients and attracting new ones thanks to your on-site childcare services, your bottom line will notice. This increased revenue will allow you to further enhance the services you provide to your members. Plus, offering childcare will boost your reputation in your community as a family-friendly business.
Create a Healthier Community with On-Site Childcare
We hear a lot about “self-care” these days, but some of that self-care can feel like a pipe dream for parents. By providing on-site childcare at your gym or club, you’re helping parents engage in activities like exercise that maintain their health. When parents are taking care of themselves, they can show up better for all aspects of their lives, including their children. Your childcare service will also create a space for kids to socialize and parents to connect with other parents – and a more connected community is a healthier community!
Considerations for On-Site Childcare at Gyms or Clubs
Licenses, Regulations, and Insurance for Gym and Club Childcare
Childcare regulations are different in each state, so be sure to look into your state’s rules about what types of licenses are needed and requirements for the space before implementing on-site childcare at your gym or club. You’ll need to pass an inspection to ensure proper safety precautions and procedures are in place. Providing childcare also increases your liability as a business, so check in with your insurance to inquire about what coverage you will need to provide childcare. The childcare experts at Jovie are pros at these details can help guide you through everything you need to cover your bases.
Supervised vs. Unsupervised Childcare for Gyms and Clubs
One major decision will impact your staffing model for your gym or club’s onsite childcare: will the childcare space be supervised or unsupervised? While both are possible options, unsupervised childcare has more liabilities and limitations. For example, you’ll need to set an age requirement, as leaving very young children unsupervised is unsafe. If you choose to have supervised childcare, you’ll need to find an experienced and professional childcare provider who is comfortable managing multiple children of different ages simultaneously. Make sure you run a background check and ensure the candidate is first aid certified before hiring them. (This is all taken care of when you partner with Jovie, so you can be sure you’re hiring the best of the best when it comes to childcare!)
Creating a Safe and Engaging Childcare Space at Your Gym or Club
Before opening your childcare services, you’ll need to outfit the childcare area with kid-friendly furniture and toys. Gather books and toys that cater to a variety of ages, including infants. Set up the space with safety and accessibility in mind, ensuring potential hazards like high shelves and power sockets are child-proof. And, of course, be sure to have a first aid kit readily available. Parents will appreciate their peace of mind knowing their children are in good hands while they work out or enjoy your club’s other amenities.
Ready to Bring On-Site Childcare to Your Gym or Club?
This New Year, don’t just plan for a surge in new sign-ups; plan for a surge in long-term satisfaction. Jovie partners with gyms and other member-based businesses to enhance their services with childcare. At Jovie, we thoroughly vet our childcare experts and provide ongoing training, so your members can rest assured that their child is in good hands while they enjoy your services. Make this year the one your gym breaks the high-churn cycle and positions itself as the premier fitness destination for every busy parent. Get started with Jovie today—your members will thank you!
