How To Run A Fantastic Open Day!

Open Day Events

Open Days can be an absolutely fantastic opportunity to combine the social benefits of raising funds for worthwhile causes and building relationships with your local community, and building additional profitable business for your setting.

Well run Open Days that are well marketed outside the setting (particularly in partnership with Bounty) have been known to attract over 150 visitors and generate up to 10 ‘full time equivalent’ new starters – although 3 or 4 ‘full time equivalent’ new starters is more typical at an event. After all, where else can prospective new parents meet both the staff and existing parents (who are likely to act as advocates for the setting).

They have also been known to generate up to £2,500 of funds for good causes, although again, depending on the size of your setting and the extent of your fundraising effort, £400 - £500 is more typical.

That’s an unbelievable opportunity – both for your setting and for Auntie – which is why we’ve put this guide together and aim to encourage and support you in running your event. We hope that in doing so, your setting generates more business; you’re able to generate funds to support Auntie's work; many new parents find a setting at which their child will be happy; and that your staff team, parents and children have a great time on the day.

Everyone’s a winner!

If you need help in planning or running your event, want to ask members of the Auntie community for ideas or solutions to problems, or to post stories or photos of your event – then use our Noticeboard where you can reach other members.

Planning

Choosing the date

When deciding upon a date for your event check that it doesn’t coincide with a major sporting or local event, half term or Bank Holiday weekends.

Choosing the theme

All successful open days are built around a theme. This enables you to tie the event together and will help your event appeal to a wider audience. For the example here we have used an Easter Fun Day theme.
Click here for our Easter Fun Day Ideas Board

Agreeing a budget

The event will cost money but you should aim to cover all costs and more through the activities you will be charging for. For an example of activities you could run, again, take a look at our   Easter Fun Day Ideas Board