If you would like to start your own childcare business, you should first of all contact the Childcare Team. We can tell you what you need to do next, the procedures you must follow and how and when to contact Ofsted.
Most childcare providers caring for children aged under eight must register with Ofsted. There are two types of register - the Early Years Register, and the Childcare Register. Some types of childcare will need to be on both registers.
The Early Years Register
All childcarers providing for children from birth to five - such as childminders, day nurseries, pre-schools and private nursery schools must register on the Early Years Register and deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage.
The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) is the statutory framework for the early education and care of children from birth to the August following their fifth birthday. The EYFS includes requirements for the provision of young children’s welfare, learning and development that all childcare providers must meet, as well as good practice guidance.
The Childcare Register
The Childcare Register has two parts: a compulsory part and a voluntary part.
Compulsory part - Childcare providers must register on the compulsory part of the Childcare Register if they care for children aged between five and eight - such as out of school clubs.
Voluntary part - Some childcare providers can choose to register if they want to provide care that does not need compulsory registration. This includes:
- home-based care in the home of the child (nannies)
- activity-based settings such as sports coaching or tuition
- short-term care such as crèches
- care that is only for children aged over eight.
For more information on the registration requirements contact Ofsted on 08456 40 40 40.
Childminders
See 'becoming a childminder' for more information on becoming a childminder in your own home.
Qualifications
If you want to be just the proprietor of a childcare setting, you do not need any childcare qualifications.
If you want to manage the childcare provision, you must have at least an appropriate level 3 qualification plus at least two years experience of working in a childcare setting. For more information on suitable qualifications, contact the Childcare Team's Training and Recruitment Officer on 01925 443138.
Finding a good location
You will need to do some market research to see if there is a demand for childcare in the area in which you want to open the business. You will also need to find out how many other childcare providers there are and how many children are actually living in the area. The Childcare Team carries out a comprehensive assessment of childcare sufficiency, which can help you in choosing a suitable location for your childcare business. This assessment is reviewed on an annual basis.
Warrington_Childcare_Sufficiency_Assessment_2011-14.pdf
The building
The building that you wish to turn into a childcare setting must be well maintained and in a suitable state of cleanliness, repair and decoration. It must also meet planning and building control requirements.
You should contact the Planning Department on 01925 442819 and Building Control on 01925 442553.
The building must also be an appropriate size for the amount of children you will have in it:
- At least 3.5m² per child under the age of two
- At least 2.5m² per child aged two
- At least 2.3m² per child aged three to seven
Staff wages
The amount you pay your staff may vary greatly, depending on the type of childcare you are offering. However, you must meet the requirements set out in the Equal Pay Act 1970 and the national minimum wage.
Contact us:
Families Information Service and Childcare Team
2nd Floor, New Town House
Buttermarket Street
Warrington, WA1 2NJ
Tel: 01925 443131
Email: fis@warrington.gov.uk