Overview
Problem
Lack of a verified, comprehensive list of childcare services accessible for parents to find appropriate service.
Outcome
A comprehensive search engine with an interactive map that provides a spatial overview of local providers, detailed provider profiles for quick access to key information, and an easy tour booking feature, all designed to streamline the childcare search and review process.
Client
Childcare Connect
A startup focused on creating a user-friendly platform that helps parents in British Columbia easily find reliable and affordable childcare providers, while also enabling childcare providers to connect with and manage potential clients.
Project Description
This project aimed to tackle the challenge of helping parents in British Columbia find reliable and available childcare providers.
INFO
Team
Me
Role
UX Researcher and Designer
Timeline
5 Days
Study Method
Survey
Research
How did we do it?
Given the timeframe, we prioritized survey data that would be quickest to analyze while also giving significant insights moving forward.
Persona
What did we learn about our users?
To better understand the problem, we needed to identify our target user.
Based on the survey data, our primary user is a parent in British Columbia who is looking for a simple way to find daycare options and explore funding opportunities for low-income families.
Key Findings
What are the key challenges and priorities for our users?
Challenges in choosing childcare
- Limited availability (84%)
- Lack of comprehensive info (60%)
- Difficulty communicating with providers (50%)
Top Services Prioritized by BC Parents
- Childcare providers (68%),
- Before and after school-care (57%),
- Community services and events (50%).
Key Factors in Choosing Childcare
- Location (96%) ratings and reviews (86%) price (82%) type of childcare (75%) availability (71%) and age range (64%).
Opportunity
What is the real question now?
How might we create a user-friendly platform that helps parents, like Sahar, to easily find reliable, affordable childcare providers in BC while addressing challenges like limited availability and lack of comprehensive information?
Solution one
Interactive Map
Users can visually explore childcare providers and before/after school care options in their preferred locations.
Solution two
Comprehensive Filters
Users can easily customize their search results to display only the options that match their preferences when choosing a childcare.
Solution three
Detailed Profile Information
Users can access detailed information about each childcare provider in a clean, visually appealing layout, using intuitive icons and design elements to enhance usability without overwhelming the user.
Solution four
Easy Tour Booking
Users can easily book tours that align with their schedules and manage appointments seamlessly.
Threaded Messaging
Users can communicate directly with childcare providers to ask questions, discuss specific needs, and establish a connection with potential providers.
Retrospective
Final thoughts and takeaways
During our research and persona creation process, I realized the importance of considering the diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds of parents in BC. Based on this insight, I recommended offering the app in multiple languages to ensure it would be accessible to a broader range of users. Additionally, I came to believe strongly in the value of providing information about culturally safe childcare providers that are inclusive and sensitive to various family structures, including Aboriginal, immigrant, single-parent, and LGBTQ families. While these considerations were beyond the immediate scope of my work, I made strong recommendations for their inclusion in future development to ensure the app could truly meet the needs of all families.
