Unlock Your Center's Potential with Expert Mystery Shopping
If you have ever wondered why a certain family chose another program over yours, now is your chance to ask. If you have ever been curious why more families aren’t booking tours or submitting inquiries, we can tell you.
About Us
See Your Center the Way Families Do
At Child Care Mystery Shop, we help childcare owners and directors understand what parents experience from their first call to their first tour. Founded by Marie Young and Joanna Casey, second-generation early childhood professionals, we provide honest, detailed feedback on your center’s online presence, communication, and in-person experience.
Our mystery shops reveal what’s really driving, or limiting, your enrollment so you can reach your center's full potential.
First Impressions Matter
We evaluate how easily parents can find you, connect with you, and feel confident choosing your program, because every enrollment starts with that first impression.
See What Parents See
Our mystery shops reveal the real experience families have when they reach out or visit your center. We give you unbiased insight so you can make small changes that lead to big results.
Our Secret Shopping Services
Essential Foundation – $300
Your first impression matters most. We assess your online presence, branding, accessibility, and communication to reveal how families see your program and where you might be losing them before they ever call.
Plus Version – Price Varies: Includes full competitor comparison with two local centers so you know exactly how you measure up.
Insight Visit - Price Varies
Are your tours truly selling your center? We evaluate your team’s approach, brand consistency, marketing, and follow-up to show what families experience during their visit and how to turn more tours into enrollments.
Plus Version: Includes competitive mystery shops of two nearby programs for side-by-side scoring and insights.
Elevation Consult – Price Varies
Your tour, their perspective, our expertise. This advanced program combines secret shops of your center and competitors with a detailed report, scoring, and a two-hour strategy session with top childcare coaches to help you grow with clarity and confidence.
(Save $4,000 compared to booking separately.)
Frequently Asked Questions
Why should a child care center be mystery shopped?
Because you can’t fix what you can’t see. Our mystery shops give you an honest, outside perspective on how parents experience your program. If you’re struggling with enrollment or want to make sure your first impression matches your quality of care, a mystery shop helps you see what families are really seeing.
What does a mystery shop include?
Every mystery shop includes a full review of your online presence, responsiveness, and family communication. Higher-level packages may include in-person center visits, competitor comparisons, and even a follow-up coaching session with industry experts Kate Woodward Young and Carrie Casey.
Will I know when you’re coming?
Not exactly, and that’s the point! We’ll give you a general time frame (for example, “sometime in November”), but not specific dates. This ensures we experience your center the same way a new family would authentically and without preparation.
Can you mystery shop centers anywhere in the U.S.?
Yes! We offer both virtual and in-person mystery shops across the country. Virtual shops can be done anywhere, and in-person visits are available in select regions or by arrangement with an additional charge.
Is every shop standard?
We look for similar things on every shop but we customize specific questions for your centers needs and concerns.
