Thinking outside the box/Blue sky thinking.......or completely and totally mad

[KatyMac]

Remember the Nursery that never was??

Well I had an idea

A school a few miles away had to lose a teacher last year because it was too small

So they have an empty room........so can I use the empty room to run a nursery in?

Or is that a complete no-no?

Throw problems at me......I can brain storm "think laterally"

(sorry forgot that wasn't used any more)

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their is a creche (part of childrens centre) run in the classroom next door to the nyrsery class at a primary near here so possible

however security is a thing, you need a seperate entrance really

Hmm....might be possible - it has external door (or doors possible- not sure)

The one thing that primary schools are usually incredibly short of is extra space, especially with the trend towards a lot of group removal for the TA to teach. And especially if they are a small school with mixed age classes. If it was my school I'd be sad about loosing a teacher but overjoyed at the additional classroom, which would offer scope and space for all sorts of things. So I'd think your proposal unlikely (but that would be just my take on it) - phone and ask!

They had 3 rooms & 3 teachers - now they have 2 teachers

They still have hall & library which they used to use for group work

I am registering for nursery vouchers as a childminder - I would be able to take up to 3 in the morning& 3 in the afternoon

I just think I can do more

I'm getting the idea it's a really bad idea.....shame

I think I need a new project & OFSTED has asked the council to help me expand.....any ideas how I can expand?

Yes I was assuming wrap-around & holiday care too

Well there is hope

But I am guessing I would need another classroom for the older children OOS...but the school won't be using them then

The only problem I can see is the need for separate toilets. In a classroom, that might not be easy. But maybe you could do something with corridor space outside.

Other than that, I can't think of a better way to start a nursery. You're in a building that already has planning permission, where you'll benefit from the school's onsite security and maintenance team, etc, and where there are presumably about a hundred kids with younger siblings. It's a no-brainer, really.

I wouldn't hesitate.

there was a small area which was used as a utility type area, which might convert

I guess there would be financial issues about who pays for the building work needed (as I am not to keen to pay for improving an LEA building - mean of me I know)

Well about 50 children - not sure of the ratio of younger siblings

You couldn't expect the school to fork out for extra toilets. Besides, it would be worth the 3 grand (maximum) investment in my opinion.

In a school, you would get kids, there's no doubt about that. How much you could realistically charge would depend on how much people in the area/parents at the school could afford to pay. But if the area is reasonably affluent, and you make the room really nice (invest in good quality furniture and toys, etc), then you can't go wrong.

I have all the toys for 3-5 age plus for OOS - as I do it all at home already

I guess I would have to decide whether I did under 3's or even under 2's

Or keep under 2's at home & have 2 upwards at the school

(of course the school could say no)

I would need furniture, & storage - very clever storage

I wouldn't have under 2s in a classroom. You need sleep areas, etc, for babies and toddlers, and it's not realistic in an open space.

I wouldn't bother with older kids either unless I knew that I'd make a good profit from it. Too much like hard work if not.

In which case storage wouldn't be a problem. You just store toys on child-accessible shelves.

I'm trying to estimate the size of the room......I am thinking maybe 20ft square - so it might not be financially viable

36sqm so max 12 children

Mind you my estimate could be miles out

Our primary school has two classrooms - they started off with one room and some enclosed outside space. They have a buzzer on the lower school door and a rear door which you have to use in school time. It is fab, as they do full 7.45 to 6pm care for 2+. They do full private nursery places, wraparound care for school nursery kiddies, and breakfast / after school clubs for reception and Year 1 kids - they go and get the kids from the classrooms just before they are let out to parents and have daily lists - great co-ordination with main school!

It is great as we used it when working as DD was there from 8 until 5pm, even when at school nursery and reception - it isnt our local school but this wraparound care was a major factor in our decision on the school. Their prices are comparable to local private nurseries!

Go for it!!!

I think they have a max of 24 children per room at any one time - to do with the size. They also had a quiet area with mats, blankets and books, and you would often find a little one asleep there!

The supervisor of the playgroup plus I work in said, if you're offering a session of more than 4 hours you have to provide more than one room,
however don't know if having outside space would count as a second 'room' ISWIM.

notsoteenagemum is that a new EYFS thing - because I don't remember that from my previous plans

Well I don't think so because we don't follow the foundation phase yet being a private playgroup.
We had a spot inspection a couple of weeks ago and I was talking to the supervisor afterwards she mentioned they used to be full time but had to drop to mornings when they lost the use of the wet area at the school.
I don't know if its relevant but we are in Wales.

Must be something to do with Wales - because you can't really opt out in England (as far as I understand)

I was opening a 24 place nursery in one room for 8 'til 6 so it's not an England thing