How to Choose the Best Child Care Marketing Agency for Social Media Ads

Running a successful child care business takes more than caring for children and managing staff. Today, families search for centers online, compare reviews, and engage with social media before they ever call for a tour. That’s why more child care owners are turning to marketing agencies to help with Facebook and Instagram ads. But with so many agencies out there, how do you know which one is the right fit for your business?

This guide will walk you through what to look for, the questions to ask, and the warning signs to avoid when hiring a child care marketing agency.

Why Your Child Care Center Needs Professional Marketing Help

Child care is a competitive industry. In many towns, there are several centers within just a few miles of each other. Parents often make decisions based on online visibility, first impressions, and social proof. Even if you provide excellent care, if families can’t find you online, your enrollment will struggle.

Social media advertising, especially on Facebook and Instagram, gives you the ability to reach local families with children who are the right age for your programs. But managing ads takes time, strategy, and expertise. The right agency can save you hours every week while delivering better results than trying to run ads on your own.

What Makes a Marketing Agency the Right Fit for Child Care Businesses

Not every marketing agency understands the unique needs of child care centers. A strong partner will:

• Understand local marketing. Child care advertising isn’t about reaching thousands of people nationwide—it’s about targeting families within a few miles of your center.
  
  
• Have industry experience. Agencies that have worked with other child care providers understand enrollment cycles, parent concerns, and what messaging works best.
  
  
• Offer both strategy and execution. A good agency won’t just set up ads; they’ll help with messaging, landing pages, and tracking results.
  
  
• Communicate clearly. You should always know what’s being done, why it matters, and how results are measured.
  
  

When an agency checks all these boxes, it’s a sign they can truly help your business grow.

Questions to Ask Before You Hire an Agency

Before signing a contract, prepare a list of questions to ask potential agencies. Here are some of the most important:

1. Have you worked with child care centers before?
   If they haven’t, ask for examples of work with other local service-based businesses.
   
   
2. How do you target ads?
   The best agencies use detailed targeting to reach local parents by location, age of children, and interests.
   
   
3. What results should I expect in the first three months?
   Agencies that promise instant results are a red flag. Look for realistic timelines and clear benchmarks.
   
   
4. How do you track success?
   They should provide reports that show leads generated, cost per lead, and return on investment.
   
   
5. What’s included in your service?
   Some agencies only run ads, while others also help with organic social media, website landing pages, or email follow-up.
   
   

Asking these questions will help you see if the agency has the right strategy and transparency to support your center.

Red Flags to Watch Out for in Marketing Proposals

Not all agencies deliver what they promise. Keep an eye out for these red flags:

• Guaranteed results. No agency can guarantee enrollments within a set timeframe.
  
  
• Complicated contracts. Be wary of long-term contracts that lock you in without performance reviews.
  
  
• No reporting. If they don’t provide clear data on ad spend and results, you won’t know what’s working.
  
  
• Cookie-cutter strategies. Every child care center is unique. If they don’t tailor their approach to your location and audience, results will suffer.
  
  

How the Right Partner Can Help You Increase Enrollment Quickly

When you find the right agency, the difference can be dramatic. Instead of spending evenings trying to figure out Facebook Ads Manager, you’ll have experts running campaigns that attract new families.

The right partner will:

• Create ad campaigns that speak to parents’ biggest concerns (safety, curriculum, affordability).
  
  
• Test different visuals and headlines to see what drives the most clicks.
  
  
• Optimize landing pages so parents schedule tours directly.
  
  
• Adjust campaigns weekly to get the most from your budget.
  
  

Within weeks, you can start seeing more inquiries and scheduled tours. Over time, this consistent flow of leads helps stabilize and grow your enrollment.

Taking the Next Step

Choosing a child care marketing agency is one of the most important business decisions you’ll make. The right partner can save you time, reduce stress, and bring in more families than DIY marketing ever could.

If you’re considering hiring an agency, start by making a shortlist of providers who understand the child care industry. Ask the right questions, look for transparency, and avoid agencies that make big promises without proof.

With the right support, you’ll not only fill your classrooms but also free up more time to focus on what you do best—caring for children.

Ready to see how professional social media ads can grow your enrollment? Let’s talk about your goals and build a plan that works for your child care business.

Christina Rizakos

Certified digital marketing strategist and founder of The Childcare Business Marketing Agency