Business Support for Early Years, Childcare & Play and Childcare Providers
Why should I as a childcare provider be interested in business?
Many childcare providers who have decided to establish a childcare setting have done so because of their love of working with children, rather than a burning desire to be “in business”. It is for this reason that 43% of all childcare businesses fail within the first couple of years of operation, not because of their knowledge or skills in the realms of childcare but because of some failing within the management of the business, e.g. poor marketing, inadequate financial management etc.
Who is the business support team?
The business support team comprises Susan Moreau (Business Support Manager), Adèle Baines (Business Support Officer) and Tim Phillips (Business Support Officer). Get in touch with the Business Team.
What does the business support team do?
We offer free one-to-one advice and ongoing support around all aspects of running a childcare business from the initial planning with potential new providers to financial management, marketing, human resources etc. for all types of providers from childminders through to full day care.
We have devised a number of information sheets and packs relevant to each type of childcare provider. If you would like to receive any of this material or would like to arrange a visit for a one-to-one meeting, please contact us. In addition, we can also signpost providers to other forms of support, advice and information.
If you would like further information why not download a booklet that outlines the help that is available to nurseries or playgroups.
The courses advertised in the business and management section of the BEYCP training prospectus are also the responsibility of our team as well as any other ad hoc business training offered according to demand.
Business Training Course and Seminars
Our ongoing programme of business-related courses (including finance and book-keeping, legal issues, marketing, recruitment and retention of staff, dealing with parents, leadership and management) changes every 6 months and is published in our bi-annual training prospectus sent to every setting. For more information about BEYCP training courses please see the Training page on this website.
In addition, we are able to arrange specific training seminars if there is a demand for this from sufficient settings. Training seminars could cover:
- ACAS - Personnel issues, e.g. holidays, redundancy, discipline and grievance etc.
- WYCAS (West Yorkshire Community Accounting Service) - Financial issues, e.g. book-keeping, accountancy, wages etc.
- HM Revenue & Customs - Tax issues, e.g. Working Tax Credit, employee tax, N.I. contributions etc.
If any of these seminars are of interest to your group, please contact us.
Other Training Opportunities
The following organisations also offer training on a wide variety of subjects tailored to the voluntary sector (e.g. voluntary management committees - structures, roles and responsibilities, planning for sustainability, computer book-keeping systems, fundraising etc.).
Bradford Joint Training Board
This organisation runs courses open to all at their own premises in the centre of Bradford (either free or for a minimal charge). If you are interested in receiving current course details, please contact them on 01274 722655 or 01274 393912 or admin@bjtb.org.uk. They are also able to run courses in your setting free of charge and all you need do is gather together sufficient delegates (either from your own setting or also from neighbouring settings) and provide the refreshments! These seminars can be run at a time to suit you since timing can often be an inhibiting factor for voluntary groups. If this service is of interest to your setting, please contact Adèle Baines.
Charities Information Bureau www.cibfunding.org
Training on business planning/funding/fundraising, information on current funding sources.
Tel: 01924 239063. Email: funding@the-cib.demon.co.uk
Further sources of information and support
Bradford Council for Voluntary Service
Promotes, develops & supports community & voluntary action – information, liaison, advice, arranging of a cost-effective payroll service / cheap accounts auditing, putting prospective volunteers in touch with groups requiring new volunteers etc. Tel: 01274 722772 Email: cvs@bcvs.legend.co.uk
Bradford Resource Centre www.brc-net.org.uk
Provides a range of support, training and resources for voluntary and community groups). Tel: 01274 779003 Email: info@brc-net.org.uk
Business in the Community www.bitc.org.uk
Matches community & business leaders to share expertise, develop management/leadership skills.
Companies House www.companies-house.gov.uk
Companies House is responsible for company registration in Great Britain. It also has a key role in providing information about British companies. Tel: 08703 333636 Email: enquiries@companies-house.gov.uk
Daycare Trust www.daycaretrust.org.uk
The national childcare charity working since 1980 to promote high quality affordable childcare for all. Tel: 020 7840 3350 Fax: 020 7840 3355 Email: info@daycaretrust.org.uk
Keighley Voluntary Service
Voluntary Service Centre, 135 Skipton Road, Keighley. Tel 01535 665258 Email: info@keighleyvs.org.uk
Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted) www.ofsted.gov.uk
Responsible among other areas for the regulation of early years and childcare settings.
Helpline 0845 601 4771. Complaints line 0845 601 4772. Email: yne.rc@Ofsted.gov.uk
Pay and Employment Rights Service (PERS) www.pers.org.uk
An independent charity providing advice, information, training and consultancy on pay and employment rights. Their contact details are 01924 439381
WYCAS (West Yorkshire Community Accounting Service)www.wycas.org.uk
Accounting services for the voluntary sector – training / advice with bookkeeping, also independent examination of accounts for charities. Contact Dave Collins, 01706 812676 Email: info@wycas.org.uk
