• Is there a demand for childcare in the area for the times you want to offer childcare?
  • What opening hours are you considering opening?
  • Do you have the correct qualifications or are you considering employing a manager?
  • Have you already secured premises?
  • Do you require planning permission?
  • Have you got sole use of the premises?
  • Do you have a unique selling point e.g. forest school/any specialist knowledge that will appeal to families e.g. experience of working with children with special educational needs and disabilities or being able to speak languages other than English
  • Start-up costs – registration, staff, DBS checks, insurance, marketing, equipment, training etc.
  • Timescales – it can take up to 25 weeks to register with Ofsted as a childcare setting.