SECRET SHOPPER
Ask someone with fresh eyes, preferable someone outside your church, to evaluate the ministry while it's in action. Give him or her a checklist of things to look for including friendliness, drop-off and pick-up times, lesson engagement, safety and security, way finding signage, volunteer-to-child ratios, room capacities, guest services and more. Don't tell anyone the person is coming, so you can get an honest evaluation.
SURVEYS
Surveys are a great way to gather feedback from guests, parents and volunteers.
These can be done at church by handing parents a hard copy survey at drop-off and asking them to return it at pick-up. Another way to do surveys is by using a free online tool like Surveymonkey.
Here's more information about how to conduct surveys effectively.
The Importance of Feedback
First-Time Guest Survey Letter
4 Areas to Include In Your Online Survey
If you want truly honest feedback, make the surveys anonymous.
SOCIAL MEDIA
Social media can be used to track how well you're connecting with families and volunteers. Posts that get likes will show you what families and volunteers really value about the ministry. Comments can provide feedback.
FOCUS GROUPS
Focus groups are a proven way to gather feedback. Here's more information about how to set up focus groups.
Parent Focus Groups
Kids Focus Groups
What should you do with the feedback once you've gathered it? In this post, I share a process for this.
The floor is yours. Are you using any of these proven tools to gather feedback for your ministry? What are some other ways you gather feedback? Share your thoughts with us in the comment section below.