Making day care marketing child’s play with Matterport

Normandeau Day Care is a beloved early learning center in Red Deer, Alberta. However, the pandemic tested it like never before. In a matter of days, it was empty — the news was overwhelming, children were sent home, and many parents weren’t sure what to do next. That was also true for Normandeau’s caregivers, who were used to supporting working families and spending countless hours with toddlers from the local community. They resolved to stay open as much as they could for anyone who relied on them. However, as lockdowns lifted and tightened again, the center faced a problem: How do we market ourselves when access is prohibited or carries certain risks, especially for vulnerable parents? 

Q: What inspired you to capture this space in 3D? 

When Covid lockdowns began, daycares, schools, and other learning centers were having a hard time getting pupils or parents to visit. So, I reached out to several child-care administrators and pitched them the idea of digital twins. This could showcase their facilities online and help parents walk through any time. Just send them the link, and they’re in! 

Q: What are the ‘must sees’ you want visitors to explore, and why? 

It has to be the Soaring Eagles room, which is packed with stuff for kids to do. There’s a shop register, piano, a few couches, old-school radios, a games table … I’d say it’s one of the best-equipped areas for studying and chilling out. 

Q: What’s the one thing you want visitors to take away after exploring your 3D tour? 

Walking through the 3D model is easy. You can look into every room, every corner, and flip to a quick outside view using the 360-degree photo feature. It saves so much time that would otherwise be spent driving there and meeting the administrators. People have access to the space anywhere, whenever they like.

Q: What are the benefits of Matterport digital twins?

A virtual tour and a phone call are all parents need now to book their child in. We’ve also rendered a dollhouse view, lending an overview of how many rooms there are, how big the daycare center is, and where [the] play or learning aids are located. This is great for giving people the information they’re looking for. 

Q: Do you have any plans to capture more 3D experiences? 

Yes, I do! My team and I at Marshall Technologii work with various other industries, like construction, restoration, architecture, and insurance. We use Matterport’s digital twins for all of them. 

Q: Anything else you’d like to add? 

Well, digital twins can be used for something else, too: business workflows and training. We’ve concluded that HR departments for any company, big or small, can streamline their orientation programs with Matterport technology. Instead of showing new employees around huge buildings, they can utilize VR headsets or send a link to a virtual tour when they’re ready.