Thinking of opening a drop off Creche on Saturdays for people to leave their children for an hour or two while they shop

[nolongeraworriedmummy]

The premises I have seen are in a nursery so its very child safe, I have a police check in place, Children will be allowed to stay up to 2 hours a time and I am thinking of covering 3 upwards or something like that.

Does anyone have any experience?

Have no experience of this myself so they are just random thoughts. The ages may be a problem if you have only one hall - for instance you may end up having anything from 3 years old to a 10 year old (or whatever the max is) which is a large age group to cater for and keep interested.

But on the plus side - I would definitely go for child-free shopping. My children just don't like being dragged around the shops (and I don't suppose I did when I was 5)

Sorry to keep going on about my gym experience, but we book six days in advance (max allowed) and if you don't phone at 8am, places are often gone - that's how high the demand is....

I've used the Braehead play centre once - it was empty apart from my ds and his friend. Though it was mid week in the morning - so maybe not a good comparison.

How much work is there in staring it up - and do you have to commit to a contract period. What I'm getting at is - try it and if it doesn't work then drop it?? I'm sure this is the right time to start it - on the run up to Xmas. The you'll get to know your customers and they'll be less inclined 'not to turn up' after booking in. iykwim.

I worked in a shopping centre creche in the 80s when I was a student. it was bloody hard work and the parents really appreciated what we did.

Over 3s makes sense to me as on they are more likely to settle with strangers ime than under 3s and also obviously the ratios are more 'profitable'. That said some parents with babies probably would pay more.

You could have a sliding scale of charges which reflects the ratios - so under 2s pay 50% more or whatever.

I'd do what others have said and if it's simply a case of printing some leaflets and some low start-up costs give it a go!

Sounds like a great idea in theory - you obviously just need to check the financial side of things is feasible.