If I wanted to, one day in the future, open a nursery, what would I need?

[PixieofCatan]

I have been thinking of future career options and would love to run a childminding setting based outdoors, however I've realised that this could naturally end up turning more into a nursery if I had a lot of interest (which there is down here).

It isn't something I've considered much but now I'm wondering what it would take to run a nursery apart from the obvious of "a suitable location and property". What qualifications would be good? I have a level three in childcare nearly complete and considering forest/beach school qualifications at the moment and (future) degrees. Would business qualifications be better to look into or childcare-based ones?

I haven't worked in a nursery for a few years (I'm now a nanny though would be able to pick up work in a nursery if need be), how easily can trips out be arranged? A nursery near me has daily trips out and runs errands with the kids like a child minding setting would (to the shops for things for their arts/crafts/baking that day and whatnot), and ensure that each child goes out at least once a week with them so I'm wondering if it's been easier to organise this now than it was when I worked in a nursery or if they're just amazingly organised and well-staffed?

Opening a nursery was my pipe dream when I was a teen but after working in ones with staff who didn't seem bothered by the kids and not helping those who were get qualifications I was really put off and decided to stick to child minding (this was before I knew about nannying actually existing, not many nannies where I come from!). Now I'm curious about it again after a conversation with my boss and I'm at a point in my life where I'm planning for the future both family-wise and career-wise and I'm well aware that nannying isn't going to be my career long-term as I'll have to worry about fitting my own kids around it one day.

[insancerre]

Sounds like a good idea.
To own a nursery you technically don't need a childcare qualification.
The manager must have a level 3 and a minimum of 2 years experience
However Ofsted don't like it if the owner is hands on and doesn't have a childcare qualification
Ideally you need an EYP and everyone qualified to a level 3
Your staff will make or break your nursery so choose carefully.
Trips out are no hassle.
It just needs to be risk assessed and updated every year
Start small and build up. Word of mouth and recommendations from satisfied parents are the way to increase business
Ideally you want to be in the grounds of a good primary school and build goodcrelatopnshipa with the school. That way you always have a customer base as you will get children wanting to go to the nursery before they go to school
Also offer term time contracts if parents need them ie teachers as you will then be quieter on the school holidays and can ensure your staff csm get their holidays when their children are off

[PixieofCatan]

Thanks for the reply :)

I did think I'd need to get a level 4 or 5 qualification to get EYP status. I fully intend to be level 3 qualified by that point by the end of June if I can get my visit done!

Staff is my biggest concern really, I was planning to have a hybrid childminding/nursery type setting (a couple of childminders + assistants working together) but with other things I have ideas about I could see it becoming a full-on nursery and having to manage numerous staff well. I'd definitely start small first, god knows if the EYFS paperwork will be suited to me, this is just assuming that it is!

Good point about being in the primary. For manager is that two years in childcare or specifically in a nursery?

Thanks again :)

[OddBoots]

The wording in the EYFS says:

"3.23. In group settings, the manager must hold at least a full and relevant[16] level 3[17] qualification and at least half of all other staff must hold at least a full and relevant level 2 qualification. The manager should have at least two years’ experience of working in an early years setting, or have at least two years’ other suitable experience. The provider must ensure there is a named deputy who, in their judgement, is capable and qualified to take charge in the manager’s absence.

[16]
As defined by the National College for Teaching and Leadership.
[17]
To count in the ratios at level 3, staff holding an Early Years Educator qualification must also have achieved GCSEs in English and maths at grade C or above."

[PixieofCatan]

Thanks Odd, funnily enough I've used that exact section in one of my essays about staff training in my course, completely skimmed the bit about the manager though

Interesting to know. If I go down this route I'd be looking to work in nurseries more anyway, it's just not feasible at the moment as with nannying I earn more in 3 days than a nursery worker does in a week

[LucyLui25]

Hi sounds like a great idea! I did it 4 years ago! We started very small within a school and only took 16 children with 4 members of staff 2 of whom job shared. We are only now breaking even, and we have increased our numbers to 28 and now have 7 members of staff. Highly sort after nursery with a waiting list but like I said only just breaking even, and we're lucky we don't have to pay rates or renting costs as per an agreement with the local school.
Staffing is the biggest issue. For good staff you have to pay well, I don't know where your based, I pay my level 3's around £15,000 p/a. I do employ level 2's as they obviously cost less, however I have been very fortunate in that all my level 2 positions have been filled by level 3 qualified workers they are paid around £13,500 and I have just taken on an apprentice who get pays £5.00 p/h. staffing is my biggest issue, but my setting would not be what it was without my very dedicated team!!

Visits/ outings can be managed if you have the staff, remember ratios must be maintained on the walk and in the nursery. We use volunteers who have been with us for at least 6 months at are over the age of 18 to help support.

I would love to open a beach based nursery, but the fear of locating is far to scary!
Let me know if there is anything else you want to know.
DO you research in the area speak to your local authority, they will support you with location and market researching!

[OddBoots]

I'm not sure how many current level 3s already have GCSE English and Maths at grade C and above (especially as the level 2 adult literacy/numeracy qualifications don't count). I have 9 friends with level 3 working in settings but only 2 of them have both GCSEs.

[OddBoots]

I think those already employed in a setting in Sept will be alright without GCSE but if they want to get a new job or if the setting want to recruit then GCSE is needed so a lot of people will be 'stuck'.

That said, I think they could be counted in ratio but only as a level 2 and at the moment there doesn't seem to be a requirement to have any more than the manager as a level 3.

[PixieofCatan]

Lucylui if you don't mind me asking, how much have you invested so far and lost over the first few years? Do you pay yourself from the money too or are you breaking even purely considering your staff members? I understand that it will be a massive investment which is a worry if it potentially flops, but there is a unique market I will be pushing that I haven't heard of before alongside beach and forest school activities on regular trips so I'm hoping that I'd be able to turn it around to (a small) profit within 3/4 years. I'm very lucky in that even if I am not able to have a mainly-forest-based setting I have very good links to two a forest owner who would happily rent space for a forest school and allow a setting to be 'built' there and a scout leader who manages a scout forest and runs his own forest school clubs based there, so I'd intend to use those links and get my charges in the forest throughout the year.

I would intend to pay staff above the going rate eventually, good staff want good, well paid positions after all. I would aim to do that whether I go into opening a nursery, running a forest/beach school or just doing something entirely different.

It's scary thinking seriously about the future Another thing I've been considering is a nursery with an attached 'kids club' child minding setting mainly for home educated kids (there is quite a bit of demand for relatively flexible childcare options for home ed kids down where I am and as I would hope to home ed my own I'd be able to build links to a large community relatively easily!), but that would have to be run as a separate business and was my original "have actually worked out the details" plan before my boss put the nursery idea back into my head!

[TiggyD]

A Tiggy.

[PixieofCatan]

Are they changing the regs then to ensure a 'higher quality' of nursery workers? They'll have to start upping the bloody wage of the average nursery assistant soon to count for that bloody should anyway

Nurseries down where I'm from originally would be screwed, I clearly remember in school being told that if we weren't 'academic' (essentially, low achievers grade wise) then our options were childcare or hair and beauty. As the area is one with a lot of 'low achievers' in school a lot of young women who didn't really see much choice went into both professions with low grades (and no real enjoyment out of either profession).

[OddBoots]

They are changing in Sept, yes, although to be fair it is somewhat overdue (with increased pay being overdue too). Those thinking that working in an early years setting is just playing with children would get a rude shock these days. Early years workers are increasingly becoming heavily involved in a range of levels of safeguarding concerns, writing IEPs and portage plans (and implementing them), referring to and attending meetings with other professionals such as speech therapists and doctors and parents are expecting a lot more communication.

[Geraldthegiraffe]

There's a couple of outdoor nurseries near me but I suspect theyre not for profit.

[OddBoots]

Sorry, I think I've misunderstood. Those with an accepted L3 qualification won't need GCSE English and Maths to get a new job. It is only those starting a L3 Early Years Educator course (which is a new type of L3 that replaces all the other L3 courses) will need them.

www.foundationyears.org.uk/2014/02/entry-requirements-for-early-years-educators/

[PixieofCatan]

It is long overdue, they've been talking about it for years. A pay overhaul off the entire industry is needed imo. I don't work in a nursery because I just cannot afford to. It's all minimum wage and I live in the SE, by working 3 days as a nanny and earning the same I have the ability to work more to earn more (I actually work 6 days at the moment) unlike nursery workers who work 40 hours for less than £15,000. It's awful. Not going to get skilled workers for pittance

[PixieofCatan]

Seriously, another new level three?! I'm finishing off the CYPW, I actually started and never got to finish the CCLD Level 3 because they overhauled the system and made the CYPW the new "everybody needs this one and one alone" qualification and that was no more than five years ago? I think even four because I have to finish it before the 3 year point which, for me, is July (I've had a lot of job changes and stupid hours hence the time it's taken!)

[OddBoots]

I think they are increasing the qualifications just so we can understand the changes that they bring in every 5 minutes.

[PixieofCatan]

Yeah, now I'm remembering just why I stopped working in nurseries and schools I'll have to learn it all again at some point I suppose!

[adsy]

Does no one else find itreally sad that the op says the l8cal nursery ensures each child goes out on a little trip once a week?
Please stick to your cm idea. You will take the little ones out every day which is far better for them than being inside except for a once a week walk

[PixieofCatan]

Adsy: at least once a week. Not once. What I meant was those kids who are in only once or twice a week get to go too. Trust me, those who are there more often go out more often, having spoken to the staff and seen the kids out I can guarantee that those there all week go out at least 3, usually four of the days on 'errands' or to feed the ducks. They do separate trips to the park too. That is the type of setting is like to have.

[adsy]

Oh OK. That sounds nice in that case!

[PixieofCatan]

Yeah, its a lovely nursery. They have brilliant staff too, they really do credit to themselves when out and about. I was amazed by how much the kids went out tbh. There are quite a lot like that near me but then I live in the se where the nursery prices are much higher than other areas so they can afford more staff to accommodate it.

[Charlotteamanda1]

Here the nursery has to have an advisory teacher, level 4 manager and the rest have to have level 3 or equivalent. The advisory teacher does not have to work there but over see the curriculum.

[OddBoots]

Where is 'here' please Charlotteamanda1

[Charlotteamanda1]

Wales, I was under the impression that all nurseries needed an advisory teacher not just wales, but that could be wrong.