We recommend that providers consider the following when setting up or expanding childcare:
- consultation and market research
- the need for childcare and early years in your area
- business and financial planning for new childcare
- Ofsted standards and regulations
- fee and wage averages in the area
- accessing funding to support new childcare development
- offering the free funded early years education places
We produce information about childcare needs across Cambridgeshire in the Education Organisation Plan. In addition, we identify where we have a need for new places in the Market Position Statement.
Specialist support is available to help you with:
- business and financial planning
- cash flow forecasting, budgeting, and monitoring
- funding and sustainability
- marketing and promoting your service
- staff recruitment and management
- premises issues
- employer-supported childcare schemes
- trustee and committee roles and responsibilities
- charity status and constitutions
- management structures / governance
- supporting parents to afford childcare.
Cambridgeshire Early Years Service has produced a toolkit Getting it Right from the Start to support new and new-to-Cambridgeshire providers in setting up their business.
To access this support, please contact the Early Years enquiries line on 01223 706 133 or email earlyyears.service@cambridgeshire.gov.uk