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Find information, guidance and practical resources to support the successful management and growth of your childcare business.
This page brings together a range of tools and resources to help with business planning, financial management, marketing, sustainability and service development. Resources include free workshops, business planning guidance, cash flow tools, marketing materials and expert advice to help you develop and maintain high-quality childcare provision.
Early years provider and wraparound toolkits
The Childcare Works toolkits provide expert guidance and practical resources to support childcare providers at every stage of their journey, from setting up a new provision to growing and sustaining an established business.
The toolkits cover six key areas:
• Business planning
• Business growth
• Operations
• Leadership and management
• Partnership working
• SEND and inclusive practice
Whether you are a childminder, nursery provider, school-based setting or voluntary organisation, these resources can help you deliver high-quality, inclusive childcare while managing your business effectively.
Access the toolkits
Access the Early Years Toolkit
Business planning and cost calculators
The following resources can help you understand and manage the financial and operational aspects of your childcare provision.
Early Years Alliance - Cost of delivery calculator
Available to Early Years Alliance members, the cost of delivery calculator helps providers calculate the cost of delivering childcare and understand the financial health of their business.
HMRC business e-learning tool
This free business e-learning tool is designed for childminders and covers essential business topics, helping you understand your responsibilities and manage your provision effectively.
National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) business support toolkit
Funded by the Department for Education (DfE), the NDNA business support toolkit provides practical business resources, including tools for business appraisal, financial management and workforce
Out of School Alliance
The Out of School Alliance provides financial guidance, resources and articles to help out-of-school clubs develop sustainable and successful services.
Professional Association for Childcare and Early Years (PACEY)
PACEY offers advice, tools, videos, case studies and cost calculators to help childminders build and maintain sustainable childcare businesses. These resources are funded by the Department for Education and developed by childminders for childminders.
Business advice and support
Contact us for advice about:
• Opening an early years or out-of-school provision
• Establishing early years provision within a school
• Merging with a school
• Closing a childcare or childminding business
• Closing a voluntary-managed (charitable) pre-school
• Establishing pre-school provision within an academy school
Contact:
Head of Educational Development
Email: Quentin.Mee@herefordshire.gov.uk
Childcare sufficiency
Herefordshire Council undertakes an annual Childcare Sufficiency Assessment to understand whether there is enough childcare available to meet the needs of local families.
The assessment considers childcare provision for children aged 0 to 14 years, and up to 18 years for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). It reviews:
• Current and future supply and demand for childcare
• Affordability and accessibility of childcare places
• Quality of provision across the county
• Areas where additional childcare places may be needed
The findings help inform future planning and identify actions to address any gaps in provision.
Further information
• View the latest Childcare Sufficiency Assessment
Marketing and promotion
Effective marketing is an important part of building a sustainable childcare business. Whether you are a childminder, nursery or out-of-school provider, promoting your service can help attract new families and raise awareness of the childcare you offer.
The following resources provide practical advice and ideas to support your marketing activity: