Setting up and Running a Childcare Business

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