Opening a nursery: The ultimate resource library, part 1

Getting into the early education and childcare business is one of the most magical and rewarding things you can do. Caring for children and having a positive impact on a family during a child's earliest years is an honour. But it's certainly not easy.

That's why Famly's here to help.

From navigating the Early Years Foundation Stage to marketing your business to your very first open day, we're here for you. And that's because we're not just an Early Childhood Platform; we have an enormous resource library, too.

Whether you're a Famly customer yet or not, we've got tips and expert advice on opening an Early Years setting, all for free.

Welcome to the sector!

How do I register with Ofsted?

The first stop on your journey should be the gov.uk resources on opening an Early Years setting. Here, you'll find advice about choosing your location and building, rules and regulations, as well as the all-important Ofsted registration

But it doesn't end with registering your nursery.

Take a look at our guide to your first Ofsted inspection, and information for curious parents too. We also have top tips from an Outstanding setting.

Looking to learn more about changes to Ofsted inspections? Watch our webinar here.

What's the best nursery management software?

A key number to consider in the start-up costs of your business plan is the budget for your tech platform. Of course, being an Early Childhood Platform ourselves, we're a little biased on which one is the best! But we did develop this tool to help make the market research a little easier.

If you want to find out more about Famly's Early Childhood Platform, you can find a time here, or hear more about it from our customers.  

Regardless of which software you choose, cybersecurity should be top of mind, so don't forget to check out all the small print around data protection.

How do I hire Early Years staff?

Your team are the most important part of your business, so getting it right is key. We have this three-part series about how to hire a new member of your team, and our safer recruitment checklist guides you through all the checks you need to do.

How should I bill parents and carers for nursery fees?

Most people get into the sector because they're passionate about children and the Early Years, but passionate people deserve to get paid too. Working out your fees and how you'll bill your customers is a big decision, so we have plenty of advice to help you out.

• Firstly, will you be billing for care received each month, or annualising your fees?
• How will you administer funded hours (for children aged 9 months and over) and the tax-free childcare scheme?
• How will you ensure your invoices are compliant with FEEE rules?
• How will you send invoices and collect payments?

How should I market my nursery?

You don't have to be an expert marketer to get your setting's name out there. We have a free webinar to help get you started with impactful marketing strategies, as well as a marketing investment calculator, to keep you on budget.

If you're unsure where to start, download our free marketing checklist for a step-by-step guide. However, if you're more of an experienced marketer, our Early Years setting social media audit template and SEO guide will help you take things to the next level.

And, when those enquiries start rolling in, we've got advice on how to make the most of every one.

How do I stay on top of my setting's finances?

Managing money and administering the accounts probably wasn't why you got into the Early Years. Even so, making sure your finances are where they should be will be essential for the success of your Early Years setting.

At the top level, get familiar with the key figures you need to keep an eye on for the health of your business. Set up your sessions in a way that optimises for being fully booked and prepare early for potential dips in occupancy.

Finally, if your running costs end up being higher than you thought, we have advice for raising your fees too.

What else do I need to know?

For that, we'll go to part 2 of this series. In that article, we'll share more about:

• The well-being (of everyone in your new setting),
• Supporting children's learning and development
• Health and safety, and safeguarding
• Creating an Early Years Foundation Stage EYFS curriculum
• Supporting long-term parent partnerships

Of course, the gov.uk resources and your local authority are here to help too.