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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Aibu to set up a private day nursery?

161 replies

Wonderponder · 26/07/2017 09:35

Just that basically. I'm a experienced early years teacher, sick of the system in schools and the politics. Only one year round nursery where I live. Got the initial investment money and the first six months wages. Anyone done it? Or am I being ridiculous? Old time poster, just changed name recently!

OP posts:
RockyBird · 26/07/2017 09:36

Go for it.

Research the system though. Private nurseries still have to jump through the authorities' hoops.

TiggyD · 26/07/2017 09:42

This is the worst time to be running a nursery that I can remember. Lots are closing because of the 15 ""free"" hours, which is effectively a cap on income. It's going to get worse with 30 ""free"" hours, plus rise in business rates and increase in minimum wage means less money coming in and more money going out. After the whole sector goes tits up the system will get changed to make it possible to be a good and financially viable nursery. I'd wait until then.

chipscheeseandgravy · 26/07/2017 10:05

Not unreasonable. The free childcare isn't an issue for some nurseries. Where I live you only pay about £3.50 per hour and that's what the government give you I think.
Just check your costs on insurance/staff/training etc vs potential income.

Wonderponder · 26/07/2017 13:24

If I can fill the places, the income is great. I have the money for the initial costs, and will be doing 0-5 and offering selective free places ( probably over split sessions and charge extra for the food) to make up the cost to 5p/h which is the going rate round here. I've got a great location, but it is in a rural business park with gyms, cafe, and a few builders. Do you think this would put people of?

OP posts:
letsmargaritatime · 26/07/2017 14:08

I think it's a great sounding location, there will obviously be plenty of parking and good road links

JenziW · 26/07/2017 14:16

Ooh intrigued. Where are you based op?

Wonderponder · 26/07/2017 14:47

South West. Only one local nursery, that is 51 weeks of the year and not term time. Wondering how people go back to work!! Am offering nature walks and flexible sessions with early opening. Was also thinking of offering pick ups/drop offs for a fee? Taking the leap has been the hardest!

OP posts:
liquidrevolution · 26/07/2017 15:36

There was another poster who set up a nursery a few years back. No idea of the username though.

JessieMcJessie · 26/07/2017 15:48

It probably doesn't fit your business plan or rural location OP but just throwing this in here in case people are interested. In my local area (a London residential centre in Zone 3) there is a creche that is not affiliated to any other enterprise like a who or gym. They take kids for a minimum of one hour and a maximum of a whole day. Age range 3 months to 5 years.

You book in advance but some places are also reserved for walk-ins and they have a variety of pricing options such as buying blocks of hours or days in advance at a discount.

It's prefect for freelancers, people who only do occasional work, mothers doing KIT days at work, emergency care if normal childcare not available and, of course, if you want to do a bit of shopping or have your nails done or something.

I am on maternity leave. My son will go to nursery 3 days a week when I go back to work and that will be in a normal nursery that we'll have a contract with, but for now he goes to this creche roughly one day a week and I get a bit of time to do the million and one things that are hard/impossible with a baby in tow.

All the staff are fully trained childcare professionals, it's been the same people there for at least the last 6 months and they give me a full rundown of his day when I collect him, just like any other nursery would. It's OFSTED registered and inspected.

I don't think there are many run on this model in the country and they are always at high or full capacity so I reckon the business is doing well.

As for your idea OP I'd say that as long as the market research shows enough kids in the area to fill enough to make a profit, go for it as childcare seems to be something that people are willing to pay well for. Have you looked at the Forest school model?

JessieMcJessie · 26/07/2017 15:49

"Like a who" -sorry, typo I meant "like a shop."

TiggyD · 26/07/2017 16:20

What's the outside space like? Is it in a rural area?

A gym and cafe nearby would surely be an asset for you. My nursery has loads of gym bunnies.

MsSusanStoHelit · 26/07/2017 16:35

I pretty sure I read somewhere recently that this is a growth area in the UK (I work in business information so this is the sort of thing I come across).

I don't know what provision there is in your local libraries for market research databases but there's a lot of good ones out there that you can get fit free in places like the British library that will cover this industry and give you a good idea of whether it's viable.

I bet local banks have "how to write a business plan" guides that will give you the jist of what work you need to do to see if it's viable, too.

Wonderponder · 26/07/2017 19:07

Thanks for all responses. Anyone know what a nursery nurse roughly gets paid? Trying to figure out coatings!

OP posts:
coffeekittens · 26/07/2017 19:10

Nursery nurse is usually paid minimum wage, room leader a little more (1p in a setting I've worked in!) Not enough imo but hey ho.

Snap8TheCat · 26/07/2017 19:11

Growth area? 😂

tiggerbounce77 · 26/07/2017 19:12

The location sounds ideal, easy to get to, plenty of parking right outside or very minimum walk

BikeRunSki · 26/07/2017 19:14

The nurseries round here are full to bursting, and new places for wrap around care once children start school can't be had for love nor money. This is S\W Yorks though. If you can manage the "free" hours, then I don't think you'll be short if business. You wouldn't be round here anyway.

Realitysandwich1 · 26/07/2017 19:22

I'd want more info on the min wage and corporation tax changes labour are planning personally, they could get in if the tories fold soon and i wouldn't start something I'd have to close in 2 years. If you feel your costs are covered even in those eventualities then you should be fine.

spaday · 26/07/2017 19:22

I'm pretty sure it was @katymac who tried to set one up?

Million apologies if I'm wrong

Whatawaytomakealiving · 26/07/2017 19:22

As a teacher I looked into this too, but didn't make the change. Felt that for the full and very wide responsibility of a business 24/7 and less holidays, my teaching wage would be hard to match.
Your biggest challenge will be staffing, recruitment and retention as well as finding suitably qualified staff who will maintain your professional expectations. It is hard to be out of your own business if staff don't maintain standards.
I have a background in working with providers. Please be a success. There are some poor examples out there.
The responsibilities are huge and with the vast majority of your staff earning not much more than minimum wage, quality and commitment can be hard to find. The hours are long too.

Locally our nurseries are selling up and going to the wall. We have lost 10 in the last couple of months in my LA, just due to the new funding arrangements for the 'free' (haha) 30 HR funding from national government. Why not join some fb provider groups, see what is happening and how providers feel. Good luck if this is for you.

Snap8TheCat · 26/07/2017 19:24

I think Katymac closed down. Funding is crippling lots of nurseries and parents just can't see it. free childcare, why should they care

PhilODox · 26/07/2017 19:24

Katymac has unfortunately suffered greatly the last couple of years, I think the free hours scheme was the final nail in the coffin. She's still here, but has closed her business. Sad

insancerre · 26/07/2017 19:30

Op
Go for it if you really want it
But it's not easy at the moment
Lots of nurseries are closing because of the funding issue
Watch this video
champagnenurseries.co.uk/

Most nursery staff are on minimum wage or just above
There is also a shortage of decent staff

KentMum2008 · 26/07/2017 19:30

Agree that funding is crippling nurseries, the EYFF brought in by the Tories just isn't viable in a lot of areas. EYP's are generally on minimum wage at level 2, just above at level 3 but bear in mind that you need a minimum amount of Level 3 qualified staff to keep in line with ratios. It's a minefield, the pre-school I worked for closed after 3 years. But if you do your research thoroughly and you think you have a viable business opportunity, with potential for expansion you should go for it! IME day nursery chains do far better than standalone nurseries and pre-schools. Obviously it takes years to build up a chain, but in the long term that will be your best bet.

katymac · 26/07/2017 19:44

I am not needed here Wink

If you can make it work go for it - but with high quality staff, food, resources and accommodation you might as well hand money over to the council Early Years team, oh hang they disbanded they last year

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