Starting a Child Care Business

The good news is, that this huge increase in demand means there has never been a better time for setting up your own child care business.
This Diploma from UK Open Learning is designed specifically to help guide you through the process of setting up your own quality childcare business.
Develop an enjoyable and rewarding new career
As any parent knows, the early years of a child’s life are absolutely crucial in that his/her future health and happiness.  So whether you simply wish to become a childminder or nanny, or have ambitions to run your own nursery, this Diploma course is designed to help you take that important first step in a whole new career.
What will I learn on the course?
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.
Course Content

Unit One: Researching the Market

• Registered Childminder


• Childminding Business


• Nursery


• Financial


• Unique Selling Point

Unit Two: 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

Unit Three: 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

Unit Four: Launching your business

• 
  Advertising


• 
  Interviewing Potential Customers


• 
  Positive Aspects of Childminding


• 
  Settling a Child into Your Setting

Unit Five: 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

Unit Six: Toys and Equipment

• 
  Start Up Grants


• 
  Basic Toys and Equipment


• 
  Rattles


• 
  Construction


• 
  Educational

Unit Seven: Customer service and parental involvement

• 
  If Things Go Wrong


• 
  Difficult People and Situations


• 
  Contracts


• 
  Areas of Conflict

Unit Eight: Financial Matters

• 
  Expenses


• 
  Inland Revenue


• 
  Assets


• 
  Liabilities


• 
  Financial Help for Childminders


• 
  Using a Care for your Business


• 
  Tax and National Insurance


• 
  VAT


• 
  Profit and Loss


• 
  Promoting Your Business

Who can take the Diploma in Starting a Childcare Business?

The Diploma in Starting a Childcare Business is from UK Open Learning, one of the UK’s leading distance learning providers. The course could lead to you playing an important role in the development of young children as well as running a successful business. No prior knowledge is required and the course is open to anyone.



How does the Starting a Childcare Business course work?
The great thing about distance learning is that you can study from home or work, at your own pace and in your own time. You will also have your very own professional personal tutor offering unlimited support via email and post, seven days a week.  He or she will be happy to answer any questions you may have and give you advice as to how to complete the course successfully. The course is divided into eight self-contained units and students are asked to complete five assignments which will be marked by your tutor. The overall grade from these assignments will lead to the awarding of your Diploma.

How long do I have  to complete the course?
12 months. We suggest that you read through the entire course initially to familiarise yourself with the contents. After this, work your way through the units in