Lucky draws for iPads and movie tickets, free school uniforms and one-week trials, and massive discounts of up to thousands of dollars - these are some of the ways childcare centres are wooing parents to place their children in otherwise possibly half-empty classes.

Star Learners Group, which has a chain of 39 centres islandwide, offered parents a cash gift of $1,200 in February during its open house if parents enrol their children in its outlets.