Starting a Child Care Business

Starting a Child Care Business

With the increase in women returning to work after having children, the demand for good quality childcare has increased dramatically. This course has been developed to provide students with key information to enable them to set up their own Child Care business with an understanding of the specific requirements of this specialised sector.

The Diploma in Starting a Childcare Business takes you step by step through the process. By taking the course you will learn how to research the childcare market and how to set up and launch your own business. The course covers a wide range of practical and interesting topics such as the registration process involved, health, safety and hygiene matters, and how to provide good customer service and involve parents. The Diploma also helps you understand the financial aspects of running your own business, and provides a reading list of useful books on the subject.

Module 1 - Researching the Market

• Registered Childminder
• Childminding Business
• Nursery
• Financial
• Unique Selling Point

Module 2 - Setting up your business

• Acquiring Premises
• Working alone
• Location
• Parking
• Traffic
• Outdoor space
• Disabled Access
• Planning Consent
• Creating the right image
• Giving your business a name
• Building a Professional Portfolio

Module 3 - The registration process

• Suitable Person
• Organisation
• Care, Learning and Play
• Physical Environment
• Equipment
• Safety
• Health
• Food and Drink
• Equal Opportunities
• Special Needs
• Behaviour
• Working with Parents and Carers
• Child Protection
• Documentation
• Babies

Module 4 - Launching your business

• Advertising
• Interviewing potential customers
• Positive aspects of Childminding
• Settling a Child into your setting

Module 5 - Health, safety and hygiene

• Childminders
• The Kitchen
• The Living Room/Playroom
• The Dining Room
• Sleeping Area
• The Bathroom and Toilet
• The Hall and Stairs
• Making your garden or Play Area safe for children
• Poisonous plants and trees

Module 6 - Toys and Equipment

• Start-up Grants
• Basic toys and equipment
• Rattles
• Construction
• Educational

Module 7 - Customer service and parental involvement

• If things go wrong
• Difficult people and situations
• Contracts
• Areas of Conflict

Module 8 - Financial Matters

• Expenses
• Inland Revenue
• Assets
• Liabilities
• Financial help for Childminders
• Tax
• VAT
• Profit and Loss
• Promoting Your Business

Assessment

The course contains a number of assignments which your tutor will mark and give you valuable feedback on. We call these Tutor Marked Assignments (TMAs). You need only send the TMAs to your tutor for comment, not the self-assessment exercises which are also part of the course to help you gauge your progress.

What's included:

You will have access to a tutor, via email, who will mark your work and guide you through the course to help you be ready for your examinations. In addition you will be supplied with a comprehensive Study Guide which will help you through the study and assessment process.

The course pack includes, guidance on relevant study skills and full tutor support comprising:

• the marking of a series of assignments
• written answers to specific study problems
• 12 month tutor support via emails
• a copy of our study guide, will give you guidance on studying and submitting assignments

Entry Requirements

Our Starting a Child Care Business Course is openly available to anyone wishing to learn more about Starting a Child Care Business and has a keen interest in the subject, plus an intention to progress a career.

• Learners will need sufficient numeracy and literacy
• Students should have access to a computer and the internet throughout your study period.
• Learners should have basic PC skills in order to navigate our Support Portal
• You should be fully committed to your studies.