Running a daycare is no small task. Between managing staff, ensuring compliance, and providing children with a safe, nurturing environment, administrators also face the challenge of answering every parent inquiry. That’s where the debate begins: Should daycares rely on a human receptionist or an AI receptionist?
This post breaks down the real costs, the return on investment (ROI), and how each option impacts enrollment and parent satisfaction.
Why Reception Matters for Daycares
Parents calling your daycare are often making one of the biggest decisions of their child’s early years. First impressions matter—missed calls or slow responses can mean losing an enrollment to the daycare down the street.
A receptionist’s job is to:
- Answer inquiries immediately
- Schedule tours and follow-ups
- Manage waitlists
- Build trust with parents
If 62% of parents move on when their first call isn’t answered (industry stat), then a reliable front desk solution is mission-critical.
The Cost of a Human Receptionist
Hiring a receptionist for your daycare comes with recurring costs:
- Salary: Average $35,000–$45,000/year in North America
- Benefits & Payroll Taxes: Add 20–30% on top of salary
- Training & Turnover: New staff may require weeks of onboarding
That means a daycare may spend $4,000+ per month to maintain a front desk position. And even then, humans take breaks, go on vacation, and can’t work 24/7.
The Cost of an AI Receptionist
An AI receptionist (like Joojoo AI) is built specifically for child care centers. Costs are significantly lower:
- Monthly Subscription: As low as $200/month for 3 hours of calls (~200–300 calls covered)
- Scalable Minutes: Pay only for additional usage when needed
- No Sick Days, No Overtime: Runs 24/7, instantly available
Instead of one staff salary, you get a fraction of the cost with full coverage—even after hours and weekends.
ROI: Which Option Wins for Daycares?
Human Receptionist ROI
- Pros: Personal touch, adaptable to on-the-spot situations
- Cons: Limited availability, high ongoing cost, risk of missed calls
If a receptionist misses 5–10 calls a week, that could mean 2–3 lost enrollments per month, worth thousands in tuition.
AI Receptionist ROI
- Pros: Always on, handles 100% of inquiries, books tours and waitlists instantly
- Cons: May lack the “warmth” of a person (though AI voices are becoming impressively natural- Joojoo Agents are very Human-Like)
For a daycare charging $1,200/month per child, just one extra enrollment covers the AI subscription for the year. Most centers using AI receptionists see multiple new enrollments monthly simply by never missing calls.
Hybrid Approach: The Best of Both Worlds
Many successful daycares use a hybrid strategy:
- Human staff focus on in-person parent interactions and child safety
- AI receptionist covers calls 24/7, ensuring no inquiry is ever missed
This setup maximizes ROI, reduces stress on staff, and creates a professional experience for parents.
Final Verdict: AI Receptionist vs Human Receptionist
For most daycares, the math is simple:
- Human receptionist = $4,000+/month
- AI receptionist = $200–$400/month
Even if you keep some human support, the ROI of an AI receptionist is unbeatable. It frees your staff, increases parent satisfaction, and drives higher enrollment.
Ready to See the ROI for Yourself?
👉 Try Joojoo AI for 14 days free (no credit card required).
Experience how an AI receptionist can capture more inquiries, book more tours, and fill your classrooms faster—without the heavy payroll costs.
