Advice on starting up a nursery please

[OFSTEDoutstanding]

Hi I am currently a cm graded outstanding by oFSTED (hence the name!) but I have never been able to fill my places. I am not expensive compared to other cm in the area and everyone else has spaces too. The local pre-school has just announced they may have to close down due to various issues and I was thinking about taking it on.
I have 18 years childcare experience as nanny, au pair and cm but no actual qualifications. If I set up a nursery I would obviously be willing to do training and get the qualifications, but is this something I can't even consider with out them already in place? Some of the current staff would be willing to stay on and they are all fully qualified so I was wondering if anyone knows what the rules are? Sorry if this sounds a bit confusing but thanks for any advice

[changingsoon]

have a friend who took over a pre school recently. she is nneb and use to manage a nursery. why not contact early years alliance, they may know what is involved.

good luck

[linzs]

Hi

Like you I have 18 years experience though I do have qualifications. I have owned/managed my own nursery for the last 10 years.

I have a friend who bought a playgroup last year and turned it into a day nursery. She has no qualifications or experience in childcare at all but decided it would fit around her children.

You do not need qualifications to set up and own the nursery but you will need somebody qualified to at least a level 3 to manage it for you. This is exactly what my friend has done - though make sure you choose someone reliable and trustworthy. My friend chose someone who had worked at her sons nursery and she left after about 2 months and took most of the nursery children with her, leaving the nursery struggling.

Is there anyone currently working there who is already managing and holds the relevant qualification.

To be honest when we bought our nursery we kept on most of the original staff - and the manager too and this helped the transition for both the children and the parents. This then gave us time to get to know everyone before the manager retired three years later.

[OFSTEDoutstanding]

Thats exactly what would happen here linzs. Thanks for the advice it looks like it could go ahead so long as I can get funds etc then as quals not an issue.

[eleanorsmum]

this would interest me too! Sound like it might be a goer for you. i would wonder why it was up for sale and if they had advertised it anywhere? Where are you, just being nosey niot cos i want to steal it from you ! you might need someone who is EYP qualified as i think all childcare setting sre suppsoed to have one soon ish.

[linzs]

We have been told that all nurseries need an EYPS before 2015 - so it still gives you time (Though you may need to get your finger out).

However you need a degree before you are allowed to start this. It doesn't have to be in childcare either - But you really don't want to get me started on that issue