Becoming a nursery owner

Becoming a nursery owner

by: hayleybeale - 06-06-07 13:11

Hello it has been a dream of mine for years now of owning a nursery with my old school friend. when i left school i worked in a nursery but only for 2 years, plus i did it as work experience, that is really the only experience i have. my friend is currently studying early childhood studies at University and next year will have completed that. Can any of you wonderful ladies tell me how to go about it, i have had a few emails from google but is all still confusing. do you know what qualifications i need and also what training i will have to go through to make my dream happen. many thanks.

by: veb

Firstly you need to decide what "nursery" means to you. Is that day care? Pre-school Playgroup? Local church hall? Self build? House conversion? How big - what age range? How much do you have to spend????????!!!!!!
Once deciding all these factors - do your research - whats in the area already? How much are they charging? What are they offering? What are you going to do differently? Is there a need for another provision or is there a gap in the market?
Get in touch with your local authority - in my area that would be "Young in Herts" - but every area has early years development officers who's role it is to support new and exisiting provision.
Good luck!

Becoming a nursery owner - 06-06-07 23:24

by: hillika

Hi Hayleybeale
Opening a nursery is not for the faint hearted, but for the dedicated, determined & strong willed. You can open your own nursery even if you do not have the qualifications, but you must have a qualified manager in place.
It took me 2 years from looking for a place, to getting planning for change of use, buying, renovating, going through building control & finally getting registration from Ofsted. During this time you will be constantly spending money! In fact, you will be spending money before you even get the keys to your nursery! The location has to be right, there is no point in opening a nursery off the beaten track where you will not attract clients & then you will most likely find the perfect location but the local planning department will be sucking through their teeth trying to give reasons to refuse this. After you have fought through all the red tape, don't expect this to be an easy, nice little earner because you will have to work your butt off for at least the first year without taking a salary for yourself/selves (unless you are very lucky to find a place where there are no other nurseries near & a line of potential families wanting to use your services from day one)
For a nursery to sustain 2 owners, you will be looking for a building that will hold many children. Although you can have a high monthly income, monthly outgoings can be equally as high & become capped when you reach your maximum of places taken.
I,m sorry that I sound so negetive, I don't mean to be, but, this is something that you have to go into with your eyes wide open. Having all said & done, it is the most rewarding thing you will ever achieve if it is done right.
Please don't let me put you off, I would encourage anyone to do it, it's fantastic! & I wish I had done it a lot sooner than I did. Your reputation plays a vital part in the success of your nursery, so go out of your way to provide that something special that other nurseries do not provide. Above all, make sure that you do your research & plan your advertising in advance ensuring that families know that you are opening & when, then try your best to keep to this dead line. Oh, & allow time for your registration to come through. Ofsted are a bugger when it come to sending your certificate to you!

Wish you the best of luck, follow your dream!!!

Becoming a nursery owner - 07-06-07 18:23

by: scarlett

The hardest part of running a nursery (or any business) is managing the staff.
Try and get onto some sort of management course, you could ask the local early years team if they have any courses.
I also agree about ofsted taking their time, I had to pay 3 months rent before I received the certificate from ofsted (and you are not allowed to operate until you have it in your hand)
I have my dream job though, I manage my own nursery work 4 very long days and have a day off. The pay is not the best in the world though as you need to pay your staff and other overheads first.
The down side is all the paperwork of running a business and not being able to "play" with the children (as stuck in the office 99% of the time)
Good luck..

Becoming a nursery owner - 11-06-07 09:46

by: hayleybeale

Thank you for your advice i know it is going to be very hard work and i really want to do it. I have been trying to research as much as i can but is very hard while doing afull time job and also looking after the kids that is why me and my friend are going in this together. I would really appreciate as much advice as you have as it will very much help me out. thanks again

Becoming a nursery owner - 23-06-07 19:35

by: dimples1988

My name is Kerry. Although young, I have great ambitions of opening my own nursery for 0-5 year olds. I have no idea f the process to which I must follow, although I have vast childcare and nursery experience already. I'm very desperate to get in contact with someone who has undertaken the process andcan guide me through personally. Ie, how to get finacial support ideas etc. I need a bit of support to get me on the right track! I am very determined.

Becoming a nursery owner - 23-06-07 19:58

by: joshuajones

Hi dimples,
I have opened my own and have opened and set up 2 private nurseries for large corporations. I would be happy to help. Post your e mail address and I will be more than happy to get in touch.

Becoming a nursery owner - 16-07-07 13:19

by: hayleyrobbins

Hello,
I am very keen to set up my own nursery...in the future. I am just about to go to college and gain my 'Early Years Foundation Degree' but I am worrid about the change that will be happening in 2010. You will then be only able to run a nursery with a dregree, what happens if you already have a nursery? And also, is there anyway of running a nursery without having a degree and just the Foundation degree? I would be also very grateful for any information regarding setting up a nursery. Thanks.

Becoming a nursery owner - 17-07-07 21:40

by: sweet_female

The propriator at our Nursery School does not have a degree, she has done a management course and employs a Nursery Manager to deal with the day to day running of the Nursery, however it doesn't seem easy as she is constantly in dealing with pay/children/staff problems which inevitably arise in a Nursery full of women...infact this seems to be the hardest issue...

Becoming a nursery owner - 18-07-07 15:09

by: hayleyrobbins

Okay thanks for ithe information. I just wondered what people were going to do who run a nursery who dont have a degree? Does a foundation degree count??
And i know all about how hard it is to work with just women..i went to an all girls boarding school for 7 years!!

Becoming a nursery owner - 21-07-07 13:21

by: maysha

Hello I am planning to set up my own nursery. I am fully qualified to work with children. I have worked as a Social Worker for 8 years. I have worked with children, also in nurseries, for 7 years. I would like some more information on how to set up a nursery. If It is better to buy a property or existing nursery or to rent a property. What step do I take first? All advise that can be given will be much appreciated. Regards

Becoming a nursery owner - 26-07-07 10:28

by: NurseryInsurance

Hi

I don't know a great deal about what qualifications and/or experience you actually need to set up a nursery but we actually insure quite a few nurseries throughout the UK and having spoken to them over the years I wrote a few articles about avoiding the common mistakes when setting up a nursery.

Not sure I can post a URL here so if you'd like a link send me an email to markb@northerncounties.com

Becoming a nursery owner - 02-08-07 12:37

by: laineyreidy

Hi, I have myself been a manger and opened and set up a whole host of settings. It is very confusing as to what to to and where to go for advice. I now work for a company called Parenta we offer a wide range of products, training and consultancy that can help you get on you way. Please visit www.parenta.com for more information.

RE: Becoming a nursery owner - 03-09-07 16:42

by: shezmin

Hi, would you mind telling me about your experience in the chilcare business and how you've come to set up your own nurseries? my email address is shezminmadhani@hotmail.co.uk. Im a graduate in chemistry and want to go into chilcare, im not sure how to go about it. Thanks

RE: Becoming a nursery owner - 24-03-08 11:31

by: Shaba

Hi Joshua,

 

My name is Sabina, I have always wanted to have my own nursery and find working with children highly rewarding.

 

Though I am currently in Marketing - I'm not making as much money as I could be and always go home with a sore head!  However, I had worked in a kindergarten in the Middle East for just under 2 years and have had a huge level experience working with family and friends children.  Hence my decission to work with children.

 

I do not have any qualifications in Child care but I do know people who do and would be happy to work with me on this.

 

All said and done, I really need some sort of guidance / advice and you seem to have done well for yourself in this, so would you mind giving me a bit of advice / help on this?

Would you be so good as to give me a miss-call /leave a message on my mobile no: 07908 207 831 and I will call you back.

 

I would sincerely appreciate this and look forward to hearing from you. 

 

Regards ~ Sabina 

RE: Becoming a nursery owner - 31-03-08 20:45

by: Julie

Hi joshuajones,

not sure whether this will get to you since it's been a while since you posted this but I thought I'd try anyway. I am a student writing a business plan for a nursery and I thought it would be helpful to discuss this with someone who has some practical experience. I have a few questions, would you be happy to answer them?
Thanks.

RE: Becoming a nursery owner - 17-05-08 15:20

by: Mariam

Hi Joshua,

Today is the first time that I came across this site.  I read few forums, of great interest and your comments are always so encouraging, useful.

I done a basic childminder course, then a distance  learning Level 3 Diploma in childcare.  I have been looking for the right premises to open a nursery in south london for nearly 2 years.  Some of them were unaffordable rent, or given to experienced nursery owners, I have been missing my chance.

I am still employed as a civil servant in city of London, and recently started undergraduate course of Leadership & Management, as I was having no luck of starting my own nursery.

Last week I came across a premises which is still under negociation with landlord, and I started looking at my business plan again. Since this morning I am reading these informative forums, and I really can't wait to make a start.

I will most probably use this forums for help, its useful network with people of same interest.  Can't ask you for help or advice to set up my nursery. Please contact me on e-mail maali19@gmail.com

 

RE: Becoming a nursery owner - 24-11-07 12:59

by: student

Hi Hillka,

Your business sounds great you are very brave and lucky !

I wonder could you maybe give me some advice ? I am studing childcare and early years education at the moment but only at NC level (as this is a total change of career for me). I have come across a business opportunity, a nursery near me is closing down and no other facility opening. I would like to open the facility to replace this but i am unsure of how to go about this and who i should contact. To do this and own a nursery would i need to have any qualifications or like you could i just employ an education manager or such ? My intention would be that i would conduct the everyday business and running of establishment and maybe work on to achieve a higher qualification and i would employ some one to run the education and childcare area, do you think this would work ? Could you maybe point me in the direction of who i could contact to help me with this ?

Many thanks

RE: Becoming a nursery owner - 10-02-08 23:25

by: deniz

hi,

My name is Deniz and i am a montessori teacher for 5 years,i worked as a pre-school teacher and i also have worked with babies in a private nursery in Camden-Regents park.

i really want to open my own montessori school-nursery but i do not know how to start or how to start.l i have found a lovely church hall in north london area ,(i have searched some information about the area, there are 2 nurseries) now i do not know what to do,or i even do not how much i need to open a nursey!

Could you please guide me, what to do or how  to start! i hope to hear from you... Thank you for your help and sharing your experiences with us..

Kind Regards,

Deniz Gonzalez

denizgonzalez0578@yahoo.co.uk

07988246877 

 

by: Jane

Hello,

Have you tried contacting your local authority to see if there are any courses in your area.

Or you could take an online course in becoming a nursery manager.

Jane 

www.inst.org/nursery-management-courses 

by: loobyloo

Hi i  just wondered of anyone could help with my query.. i am planning on opening a nursery but dont have a degree.. i have read that in 2010 you can only open/ run a anursery if you have one... is this true?!

Cheers, loobyloo

RE: RE: Becoming a nursery owner - 30-11-07 17:11

by: Margos

Check out my ideas for starting your business on www.proceedc.com.

Regards

Margos

by: hillika

Hi Loobyloo

I have my own nursery and do not intend to study for my degree. I do have a assistant manager who will be doing the degree and will always be there. I can hear people say 'but what if she leaves?' If this happens then I will employ another graduate unless any of my other staff wish to study for this, and take a step up the ladder.

 I understand some peoples convusion regarding my decision but my reason for this is: I opened up my business to relieve me of some of the stress of working for someone else, when you had to be at work at a certain time to do a certain shift. I never had any time to be with my son and of course this has contiued whilst my nursery was set up and filled up. Not to take away from the fact that I saw so many people set up nurseries and do it very badly and was determind to to do the same. 

Now with a great team behind me it runs very smoothly. I can now reduce my hours, and (after the hard work) have a nice 'work life balance'. I do not want to continue to work 10 hours per day 5 days per week and sit down to paper work every week end. I don't think having a degree will improve my practice or make my nursery any better (as I set the bar high when I started) or teach me much more than I know now! I continue do short courses, to keep up with best practice and I am constantly sending my staff on any course that is made available to them.

 Mr Tesco does not sit at the till pushing shopping through does he? I will not always be available every day so I will be providing someone who will!

I must be doing something right because after only 18 months I am having to extend my nursery to acomodate the parents wanting to place their children with me. 

Unless I have been badly informed, I don't think I am doing it wrong, I am meeting the criteria of have a graduate within my setting who is in a senior position and who will either be available when I am there or when I am not. At the young age of 44, why the hell would I want to go back to school!!

RE: RE: Becoming a nursery owner - 28-05-08 14:12

by: sianhug1

hi hillika! i found your post a great inspiration and think you have a great attitude which is why i'm choosing to ask you this question.  Ok here goes.  I'm a flight attendant with no childcare experience except for having a little boy of my own. Ok thats the worst part. For years and years i have been looking into possible business ventures (mostly property developement ideas that never came to anything) since having my baby I am more determind than ever to secure a comfortable future for my family and am passionate about child development/behaviours etc which lead me to this idea.  Basically what i'm asking is am i crazy to think that I would stand a chance of making a success of this seeing as I am A. Not qualified in the slightest and B. Have no experience in the field? I am however a very strong willed individual and know I would give it my best shot. Would you mind emailing me with some advice? its reed_sian@hotmail.com I understand you are incredibly busy but would love to hear more about how you got set up.  Thanks. 

 

 

RE: RE: RE: Becoming a nursery owner - 01-06-08 09:06

by: Annie

Hi to anyone wanting to become a nursery owner. Did this myself and owned and ran two nurseries , though I only ever wanted the one. I wanted to produce the very best of childcare in an innovative way - after 12 years in social services and with a social work qualification behind me this became a burning urge. In the 18 years of running my own establishments I had to develop sideways to achieve my goals - I had to set up as a training centre for NVQ3 and for 'Setting up your own nursery', management training etc in order to achieve my standards of care.This meant that I never had one year the same as the next and won several awards for 'best quality'. I sold my nurseries 2 years ago and now I am available as a consulatnat for a very reasonabl;e rate but only to people I am satisfied have the same high standards and do not wish to cut corners in order to maximise profits. Interested? contact me on

davanne16@aol.com       Annie

by: hillika

Sorry about the spelling and the swear word (hell). Had a glass of wine or 3!!

by: hillika

Never have a glass of wine and post a message! Paragraph 2, line 7, should read: determind NOT to do the same!!

by: loobyloo

Cheers for your help Hillika. I have looked in to doing a degree and it is so expensive unless i go back to uni... which i didnt particulary like hence why i didnt go back and finish my degree! its so fustrating. A degree doesnt make you a more capable person to look after children unless its a teaching/ childcare degree... what about the people who have a degree in geography, does that make them more competent?! aaaahhh! You sound like you have done really well! I hope i can get my teeth in to it and make a success too!

 Cheers Loobyloo 

by: Annie

go to www.headstartchildcaresystems.co.uk for help with management systems and independent advice

by: Laura McCartney

Starting a nursery is not the easiest thing in the world to do.  Myself and my colleage have started up a specialist agency called nurserymanagers.com.  We supply management staff for nurseries and also have a consultancy service for established nurseries and also new starts

by: deniz

hi i am a montassori teacher for 5 years, now i want to open my nursery in north london area, i have found the really nice church hall ( i had information from council about the area  there are 2 montessori schools around that area) but my problem is  how to start up could let me know where can i start and what to do? thank you very much and i hope to her from one of you

by: JJB727

hi i am a early years teacher who wants to set up a nursery from 0-4/5, i am just wanting any advice people can give me on how to do this thiswil be in the north eas uk, one question i need answering is f you need a nursery manager what qualification do u need and can i get them being a teache and where,

thanks for any help

by: Sweethoneybeeuk

Hello,

I'm so glad to find this website. I am considering buying a nursery and run it. Not for the profit, just to work for myself, making enough money to live, time with my baby boy and provide good childcare service that I can hardly find anywhere. I am looking for a mentor who I can get in touch for advice and encourage ment. I am sure you understand how difficult it is when you start out. Please get in touch at jennypotter81@hotmail.com. I really look forward to hearing from you.

Jenny

Becoming a nursery owner - 11-06-08 11:09

by: Berty

Hello Yes becoming a nursery owner can be daunting but well worth it. I had neither the time or the money to take a long course so i took a short course with a company called One To One Support Services.  The course was all the practical knowlage from the owner who was operational manager for a chain of nuseries so I gained a lot of insight in to the pit falls to avoid. The course was really good for me and boosted my confidence and gave me the kick i needed.

  

by: Leasar

Hi

We are two friends thinking about setting up a nursery. I am a early years teacher currently working in a nursery for 3-5 year olds and my friend is a nursery nurse. We are currently puzzling over how to start things off and would be hugely greatful for any help or information anyone could give us.

Thanks

by: penny

hello

I have a question, and i don`t know whee to ask.

I`m a quaified nursery teacher with a diploma, but I don`t know if it`s enough to get a job here in the Uk, cos i`m from Hungary. can anybody hlp me?

thanks.