If you are thinking of opening a day nursery, pre-school playgroup or an out of school club in Leicestershire (separate information is available for people who want to become a childminder), then attending a Childcare Induction Workshop run by the Early Years Inclusion and Childcare Service should be your first step:
Childcare Provider induction course bookings
Childcare Provider induction courses
This free induction workshop will help you to decide if you want to become a Leicestershire childcare provider. You will have the opportunity to meet and discuss your individual requirements with our Business Development Advisors.
Each workshop covers all the necessary information needed to become a childcare provider including:
- Giving you a good understanding of how the childcare market operates in Leicestershire, how it is funded and how it is managed by the County Council
- Telling you where to access information about your local area including numbers of children by age group and the whereabouts of other childcare providers, schools and children’s centres
- Recognising the importance of planning for operating your business and for delivering childcare
- Being aware of the regulations and Ofsted registration process for operating a childcare business in Leicestershire
- Understanding the different functions and roles within the Early Learning and Childcare Service and how they can support you
- Ensuring you have sufficient knowledge and confidence to take your childcare business forward.
Childcare Provider Induction Booking Form Dates, times and venues are shown in the form
After the workshops you will have access to our Childcare Improvement Sufficiency Officers who will support you with developing your setting through the Ofsted registration process.
This includes advice on:
- Initial registration requirements
- Safeguarding and welfare requirements
- Policies and procedures
- Early Years Foundation Stage
An information pack has been put together to assist you in setting up a high quality childcare business. It contains weblinks to various organisations that will support you in this, including Ofsted information and information created by the Early Years Inclusion and Childcare Service. It is strongly recommended that you download this pack before proceeding, and prior to seeking further guidance from the Childcare Improvement Sufficiency Officers:
Business support and information is also available through our Business Development Advisors which includes market research, marketing, business planning, financial planning and details on types of businesses.
Sources of income for early years providers
Information is available on our dedicated pages for people who want to become a childminder.
Running a sustainable business
School toolkit for delivering flexible childcare
Grant Funding
Information for Voluntary & Community Sector Groups and Organisations, Charities and Social Enterprises, can be accessed via the Leicestershire Communities website.
Help for employers from HMRC
HMRC has launched the Small Business Online Forum for small businesses and the self-employed.
With links to HMRC’s new dedicated webchat service, getting direct support couldn’t be easier. The forum offers a quick and easy way for members to get advice and useful hints and tips with:
- starting a business
- support for growing a business – including taking on employees and expanding
- completing tax returns
- tax credits
Having employees isn’t just about paying them. It’s also about understanding responsibilities such as statutory payments and sending regular reports and payments to HMRC. Their new online e-learning guidance, Becoming an Employer, provides all an employer needs to know and it makes a handy guide too.
HMRC also has a new series of five short videos to help and support new employers. They’re available now on HMRC’s YouTube channel:
How to send your final PAYE submission
Links to other associated organisations providing useful infomation, including news, new initiatives and events:
National Day Nurseries Association - NDNA
Professional Association for Childcare and Early Years - PACEY
Early Years Alliance - EYA
Early years foundation stage (EYFS) statutory framework (GOV.UK)
Childcare Register - voluntary part
The voluntary childcare register is for childcare providers who are not required to register with Ofsted but have chosen to do so. The sort of provisions eligible for the voluntary childcare register are:
- holiday clubs
- au pairs/nannies
- activity based care
- playschemes
- childminder looking after children over 8 years
Why join the voluntary childcare register?
By joining the voluntary childcare register providers show parents that they:
- are working to and meeting requirements set by Ofsted
- may be able to offer childcare tax credits
- meet safeguarding requirements
For more information about joining the voluntary childcare register contact Ofsted on 0300 123 1231 or visit their website. Alternatively you can contact the Early Learning and Childcare Service on 0116 305 7136.
Information about available training can be found in the Early Learning and Childcare training opportunities booklet.