Start-up
If considering setting up a new child care service in Donegal, the following guidelines will provide you with information and support on what is involved. Whether setting up a private, community or childminding service, success will be achieved through effective research and careful planning. Below are step-by-step guidelines on:
- What you need to do,
- How you need to do it
- Who will help you do it!
What you need to do?
1. Identify a need
Identify childcare needs in the area where you plan to open your childcare service.
Some ideas on gathering information to identify needs:
- Research statistics of families / children in the area (through CSO 2006)
- Establish the amount and type of childcare services in the area including waiting lists for each operating service
2. Market research / Childcare needs analysis
Market research is essential element in creating a realistic business plan and also provides information on the type of childcare service you are going to offer.
Some ideas on carrying out market research:
- Compile and circulate a questionnaire to local families –gather ages of children, types of childcare required, type of service community or private.
- Check parish register and local primary schools for births and enrolments.
- Check Donegal County Council website for any planned housing developments in the area.
- If developing a community (not-for-profit) childcare service, establish a committee – ask parents, members of the local community and any other interested bodies if they would like to be interested in participation in the services’ committee.
3. Identify type of childcare service
Through identifying childcare needs in your area and also through market research you can now make a decision on:
- The type of service being set up
- Ages of children that will be attending the service
- Days/ Weeks and Hours of Opening
- Maximum and minimum number of children to be accommodated for.
How you need to do it?
Business Plan
Develop a business plan outlining:
- Business idea
- Your experience and qualifications relating to childcare practice, supervision of staff and management of a business
- Competitive advantage of your business
- Users of the service
- Market research
- Marketing/promotion of your service
- Employment (i.e. qualified childcare staff required)
- Budget (income and expenditure)
Identify suitable premises
Identify appropriate premises which are suitable for childcare provision indoors/ outdoors, in conjunction with Childcare (Pre-school Services) (No 2) Regulations 2006.
Consider the following to support you with finding suitable premises
- Visit childcare services who have established good quality services- contact DCCC for support
- Arrange an advisory visit to your potential premises ,with the HSE Pre-school Inspection Team
Childminder’s premises is in your own home, therefore you need to ensure you have adequate space, and that indoors and outdoors are in a proper state of repair and are fit for the purposes of childminding.
Determine sources of funding
Funding, whether self- funding or borrowed must be able to cover:
- All expenses incurred in establishing the business – this will include the purchase cost or initial rent and deposit on premises, equipment, furniture, stationery, advertising and promotion to announce the opening of your business.
- Operating budget – expenses incurred before the business starts to have a financial return
- Personal expenses, until the business can afford to pay you a salary.
If you need support in funding your childcare service contact the DCCC for information and an application for National Childcare Investment Programme (NCIP )funding – At present there is no funding applications being submitted for NCIP
Childminding
The Childminders Development Grant offers an incentive, in the form of a small capital grant, to childminders to enhance and support their awareness of quality childcare.
The Childminders Development Grant is designed to assist childminders, already providing a childminding service in their own homes, to enhance safety/quality in the service through the purchase of small capital items, equipment, toys or minor adaptation costs. It may also give financial assistance to new or prospective childminders with their initial set up costs.
Childcare supports for families and children
Contact the DCCC for information on- (Community Childcare Subvention Scheme) and ECCE (Early Childcare Care and Education) free Pre-school place) scheme.
Establish policies and procedures
Policies and procedures need to be developed and established to support quality practice in a childcare service. Some policies to consider for a childcare service:
- Admissions
- Curriculum, Observation and Assessment
- Child Protection
- Behaviour Management
- Record keeping
- Medication
- Health and Safety
- Outings
- Parental involvement
- Recruitment
- Equality and Diversity (e.g. children with special needs, ethnic groups)
Marketing and promoting your childcare service
Advertising and promoting the service will support the ongoing success of your service.
Some ideas on advertising and promoting your service:
- Media -Local newspapers and radio
- Flyers to local shops , homes, schools
- DCCC’s website
Selection and recruitment of staff
Before you advertise to recruit staff you need to develop and consider:
- Staff salaries
- Job descriptions
- Terms and Conditions of employment
- Advertisements for staff
Contact the DCCC for support in developing employment documents and interviewing
Build the capacity and quality of your service
Liaise with your Childcare Development officers from the DCCC to receive support visits or information on the following:
- Siolta , the National Quality Framework
- Aistear, The Early Years Curriculum Framework
- Continuing Professional Development
- Community Childcare Subvention
- Early Childhood Care and Education Scheme
Who will help you do it?
Contact the Donegal County Childcare Committee (DCCC) for consultation
Contact the DCCC for further advice and information to support you with your new childcare service.
- Make an appointment with a Childcare Development Officer.
Identify and consult with professionals
If building or renting premises you may need to consult with a number of professionals that will support you in complying with statutory requirements, when developing your service:
- Architect – to design and develop childcare service
- Donegal County Council (Planning Section ) – to apply for planning permission
- Donegal County Council (Fire safety Officer) – to obtain a fire safety certificate
- HSE Pre-school Inspection Team – 28 days prior to you opening your new service an application of notification must be submitted.
- Solicitor - to support you with your legal status for you childcare service
For more information on starting a childminding service, see DCCC Publications, ‘First Steps, A Guide to Childminding’.
Useful Contacts:
Donegal County Childcare Committee (074)9132416
Health Services Executive -Pre- School Services (074)9123669
Donegal County Council Planning Section (Donegal County Council) www.donegalcoco.ie for information on finding your local office
Donegal County Council -Fire Safety Officer (074) 9121676
Donegal Local Development Company – Enterprise Officer (074)9127056
Inishowen Development Company – Enterprise Officer (074)9392218
Udáras na Gaeltachta – Enterprise Officer (074)9560100
