This page offers a comprehensive collection of information and resources to support your business planning needs. You will find expert advice and a wide range of practical tools, including free online workshops, links to business planning resources, cash flow review aids, marketing posters, and many other valuable materials to help you develop and sustain your childcare provision.
Early years provider and wraparound toolkits
The Childcare Works Toolkits provide a comprehensive set of expert-curated resources to support childcare providers at every stage, from start-up through to growth and sustainability. Covering six essential areas - business planning, business growth, daily operations, leadership and management, partnership working, and SEND and inclusive practice - these toolkits provide practical advice, tools, and best practices. Whether you are a childminder, run a nursery, or work within a charity, you'll find valuable guidance to help you deliver high-quality, inclusive childcare while successfully managing and expanding your business.
Access the Early Years Toolkit
Business planning and cost calculators
To help you better understand and manage the financial and operational aspects of your childcare provision, here are some essential tools and resources:
Early Years Alliance - Cost of delivery calculator
Exclusively for member, this cost of delivery calculator enables you to calculate your total costs and total hours of childcare provided. It offers a practical way to gain clear insight into your business's financial health and identify opportunities for optimisation.
Hempsall's business mapping tool
Hempsall's business mapping tool offers early years and childcare providers a step-by-step guide to review operations, identify growth opportunities and risks, and create actionable business plans. The resource package includes webinars, presentations, the tool itself, and an action plan template to support your business planning.
HMRC business e-learning tool
Designed specifically for childminders, this mini business tutorial allows you to learn at your own pace, covering essential topics to help you confidently manage your childcare provision and understand your responsibilities.
National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) business support toolkit
The NDNA business support toolkit funded by the DfE, provides free practical resources to help childcare providers manage their business health, including tools for business appraisal, financial management, and staffing costs.
Out of School Alliance
The Out of School Alliance offers financial guidance and articles to help out-of-school clubs grow into successful, money-saving, and money-making businesses.
Professional Association for Childcare and Early Years (PACEY)
PACEY provides expert advice, practical tools, videos, case studies, and cost calculators designed to help childminders - both new and experienced - build and maintain sustainable childcare businesses. Funded by the Department for Education (DfE), these resources are developed by childminders for childminders.
Business advice and support
If you need advice and guidance about any of the following:
- Opening an early years or out-of-school setting
- Establishing early years provision in schools
- Merging with a school
- Closure of a childcare or childminding business
- Closure of a voluntary managed (charity) pre-school
- Setting up pre-school provision at an academy school
Please contact Quentin Mee, Head of Educational Development.
Email: Quentin.Mee@herefordshire.gov.uk
Childcare sufficiency
Herefordshire conducts an annual childcare sufficiency assessment to ensure families have access to the childcare they need.
This assessment confirms that there is enough childcare available for working parents or those studying or training for employment, covering children aged 0 to 14 years, and up to 18 years for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
It provides information on the current and future supply and demand for childcare by age group, along with details about affordability, accessibility, and quality.
The assessment also helps identify any gaps in childcare provision and outlines how these will be addressed.
View the latest annual sufficiency assessment report
Marketing and promotion
Marketing plays a crucial role in any business plan and directly contributes to improving your long-term sustainability. Whether you're a childminder or work in a nursery, attracting more families requires the right combination of marketing materials and strategies. To help you get started, here are some helpful hints and tips from trusted experts: