Aibu to set up a private day nursery?

[Wonderponder]

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!

And that same staff expectation would be true of fee paying private school. Last I checked, private schools employ unqualified teachers.

I don't know why my post is all choppy. Sorry.

Is it such a leap, to think that this mindset wouldn't apply to early education

I can see why you would think it. It isn't that simple though. Not all affluent families work so keep their babies at home, some send them for social skills for two mornings a week, some only send for free hours. Those that do work may only be part time or use Grandparents and Nursery.

In 20 years, I've only looked after probably 3 full time babies, and I've only worked with two year olds and under.

I left my last nursery and I'm a Nanny now. It's a very affluent area and this gives the parents more choice in childcare options, not just the local nursery.

What I don't get is your not listening to the people who have run nurseries and day care provisions before instead your listening to people who have used our provisions but haven't seen the hard work and money that goes into it.
All of our provisions were run as businesses it's not something we have run on a whim !!

Go work in a nursery for six months and see if you think you could do a better job running one after that

I can't remember who asked earlier, but yes- there is only one alternative nursery which offers full day care. The rest of the competition are pre schools, which operate term time only, between 9-3. As I said in my original post, I don't know how people get back to work, as there is no choice for those who don't work during these hours!

No OP you asked what the staff wages will be as you didn't know? You have lots of planning to do obviously. Costings, staffing and a business plan which includes high adult ratios for 0-2 year olds with staff paid more than the minimum wage. I wonder how much you will need to charge per hour to cover your costs and if local parents will be prepared to pay the extra per hour whilst if they have a 3/4 year old paying for them too/sending them to a different provider for 'free'.

it's great to get everyone's opinions. Having run a very large department in a huge academy, I do have some insight into paperwork and bureocracy!

I said in my original post, I don't know how people get back to work, as there is no choice for those who don't work during these hours

If it's an affluent area, then they may not need to work full time.

Maybe apply for a job in a nursery to get a feel for it?

...when I walk into my sons nursery. I always think, I can do better than this.

Yup. You can walk into any nursery and see how you could do better. Anyone can. But could you do it while still being profitable?

I asked roughly what a nursery nurse might earn. Not what I was prepared to pay!

How many pre-schools are there?

If there are several childcare provisions in the area and only one offers more than 9-3 term time I'd suggest there possibly isn't much demand.

I live really rurally and there are still two full time day care provisions, a handful of childminders and our voluntary effort. Usually if there's a demand someone has at least tried it.

As in, if the going rate was x amount. Then I might be costing X plus N to perhaps get better qualified/ experienced staff.

I asked roughly what a nursery nurse might earn. Not what I was prepared to pay

It's usually £1 above min wage, £1.50 above minutes wage for room leaders £2.50 above minutes wage for Dep Managers.

Not because business owners are tight but because the money just isn't there.

Then you have agency staff to pay if you have staff off sick and don't have enough spare staff.

Ratios need to be met in rooms at all times, so for 10 babies you need 4 staff, 5 staff for best practice which is what my last Ofsted wanted to see.

2 to 3 years are 1 to 4 and over 3's 1 to 8 or 1 to 13 if Teacher led.

I'm a qualified level 3 nursery nurse & I get paid £7.50ph. Private day nursery, £58 per day for 0-2 years. An extremely long waiting list - soon as parents find out they're pregnant they put their child on it. Won't be staying in childcare, I studied hard for my level 3, and I'm on the amount I'd get if I had no qualifications and worked in a supermarket. Not much progression opportunities either. Many nursery nurses are feeling the same I think

The nursery i managed was 98.8% full, we make a small very small profit, which was used to cover the out goings when we dropped below 96% occupancy.

Really think hard about it op, my nursery area was very middle class meaning both parents when out to work, but also meant staff couldn't afford to live in the area and at 7.20 an hours had no real loyalty to the nursery. Staffing was the hardest part and getting and keeping good staff was a real challenge.

But still need to find those staff, still need to make a profit whilst paying a higher wage to your staff.
As a headteacher I too understand the paperwork, staffing issues, team building, leadership, all legislation and long long hours. Not sure I would take all of that on without considering the advice given, risking your investment and most likely earning less than you probably do now. Education in all sectors is a mess at the minute.

You might be better running a coffee shop!😉

And working in the fifty percent qualified rule. If someone is sick, what's to stop a dbs checked family member from stepping in for the day? Is that allowed?

The local rate around here is 64 per day. I was thinking of opening at seven, but charging a higher hourly rate until 8am. Given that seven am is unsociable hours!!

Only if you have interviewed them, inducted them, checked their references, had supervision.

So is it really 100% of people saying don't open a nursery? Depressing isn't it?

How many children would the nursery hold? By opening earlier you would then need more staff to cover the end of the shift, due to 48 hour rule. If you make the session too long you almost needs two sets of staff

Opening at 7? Shutting when? 7 pm? What will the shifts be? My nursery tries 8 hour shifts but couldn't make it work. Then 9 hour shifts but couldn't make it work. Staff now work all day (10.25 hours) with a day off per week. But that's in a 7:30 - 6:30 nursery.

Have you contacted your lA mine are inviting people to tenter for buildings if offering the 30 hours. Don't know if there are any grants.

In total the potential capacity would be 48 children of varying ages. Allowing for space ratios etc. Potential for this space to be doubled

Mine did 10 hour shifts too, staff hated it, but it was the only way to work it. Caused problems trying to manage ratios and 4 days weeks, holiday became a problem too trying to fit then all in