Been approached about running a sports centre creche........not clue how to

[KatyMac]

I've been brainstorming thinking very hard about it & the meeting is on Tuesday.

So there are several options & I need to choose the most cost effective/practical ones to produce some sort of proposal

Creche at the centre
Pros - most use for parents, additional space for children, fixed costs covered
Cons - not ideal, no access to outside space, additional staffing needs

Could be done by us or we could consult on provision by sports centre

Creche at the setting
Pros - easier to man (esp if numbers are low), total control, setting is more child friendly
Cons - not ideal for parents (about 1/2 mile away). limited numbers

I need to make it work for the sports centre chap & for me - I'm not sure if there should be some 'gain' for both of us due to working together

Can anyone comment or throw ideas/problems/issues my way

Bump as I really need to start working on this tomorrow morning otherwise I won't have anything by Tuesday

I wouldn't use a sports centre creche if it wasn't in the same building

That's a shame

Is that because a creche is deemed as a lower/lesser standard of care or because of the proximity

Would you consider dropping off at a nursery before going to the sports centre if it was paid for by the Sports Centre?

Sorry -was watching TV

I suppose I would imagine that if I was using a sports centre creche it would be on a casual basis and so the place/staff would not be familiar to my child. I wouldn't then want them to be a distance away.

That's a good point

It's half a mile in rural norfolk rather than London - so I guess that you take about 3 mins to drive

I do understand your concerns, thou' it could be an issue

There is an excelleent creche at my local leisure centre so if this does go ahead will explain their set up for you

I would want a creche at the leisure centre, i would not be concerned about the no outside space issue, the most im going to do an aerobic class for is an hour to an hour and a half

I wouldnt want to drop off elsewhere, if i was willing to do that i would have been seeking out childcare (friend/neighbour/poss even childminder) but i didnt use any childcare for dd apart from leisure centre creche as i could easily check on her was next door if required

I am a member of Virgin and use the creche for ds3 who is 2 1/2.

It costs £3 an hour and I use if once a week for 2 hours, that gives me settling time , an hour or so in the gym and time to shower and dry my hair. Wouldn't want to pay a lot more for off site nursery, especially as at first ,there can be a lot of time spent settling baby/toddler in a new creche (ds was already going to nursery when I work, so is used to being left but obv with new carers took a while to settle...)

Not clear what would be paid for by the Sports Centre?

I wouldn't have a problem in principle with care 'off site'. Some mums might want to meet for a class and then spend time with babies in the cafe together which wouldn't be an option if creche off site...

I wouldn't be concerned at lack of outside space if children only there for an hour or two. And centre maybe more likely to fund better equipment on site, as can be hired out for parties etc?

Thanks Littleducks that makes sense

It's tricky tho' because to run it on-site I would need 2 staff whether or not it was used - whereas in my setting I have spare capacity - so no additional outlay

I agree about the outside space thing - I would only be using a sports centre crechevfor a couple of hours at most and so it isn't an issue.

An example would be the creche at IKEA. That has no outdoor area but is fine for an hour or so.In addition, I have the reassurance of the pager that means I can be summoned back to them if needed.

Sports centre has no cafe

Previously (2 yrs ago) they ran a free creche for 2 hrs each morning - but there weren't enough children so it was stopped - I assumed it would carry on being a free provision: I had not considered parents paying major rethink

It's odd isn't it - as a child carer I couldn't envision care indoors

I currently provide ad-hoc care

My rates are £10 registration fee then £4 an hour (normal rates are £3.50)

I wonder if this could just be advertised at the Sports centre rather than providing an additional service?

Bump for today's people & their innovative & stunning ideas

Not new person, but wonder if people didn't use free creche because they thought it wasn't intended for them. (maybe people thought it was intended for people on benefits?) And people tend not to 'value' something thats free, so will drop it for something else at short notice, whereas if you've booked and have to pay, you're more likely to turn up.

Can you get sports centre to subsidise cost of childcare? If the first time I use you, I have to pay £18 for 2 hours and think I might have to spend ages settling my ds, I might give it a miss...

It wasn't a great creche tbh - often understaffed

Settling in is always done for free here & this thread gives you an idea of what that might entail for a 3 day a week child.

I do understand where you are coming from tho'

If the sports centre paid the £10 would that help?

OK I bumped into the chap today

He definitely wants it on his site

Don't know how I am going to do that viably

Yes, defo and would give the sports centre brownie points for encouraging parents to exercise

I run a local authority creche at £150 a session (2 hours) & I make no money I do it as a service

I can't see how a small sports centre could afford that tbh

I like the prebook idea tho'

We have to book for creche, is really popular, i can often not get the times i want for the following week, i think booking with 24 hours mininmum notice would work

A great thing that our creche does is that they will change child into swimming costume for you and bring to the changing rooms (staff levels permitting) so mum can drop at creche, swim lengths for an hour (or sit in jacuzzi!) then just walk to poolside changing rooms pick up child and take child swimming as well

If i was putting a child into nursery i would def want an outside play space but as a sahm i feel i can provide the whole playing outside thing i literally just want someone to watch my child for 1.5 hours, reading books and crafts is fine by me.

Can you limit the days you offer it? Perhaps you have to get the centre to pay you the breakeven cost and you get to keep the profit? Also it could be a fab way to advertise your main business.

The more I look at it the more I think I can't do it

How do I employ someone for something between 2 & 10 hours a week with possibly only 24hrs notice for whether they are needed or not

The advertising issue is why I want to do it - but who would take an employment contract like that?

I would just start with something very basic like 2 creche sessions per week. I think the centre has got to subsidise it or something. You need to sell it them that you are offering a quality service and that you taking care of the legal requirements side is a huge headache lifted etc etc etc. As people get to know your staff they may be tempted to come use your free spaces that you will be advertising.........