Read the latest EYFS topics. Documents can be uploaded to the system for cloud-based storage and quick, stress-free access. Selling my nursery was the most difficult decision Ive made. What is your relationship like with other staff members? Inspection outcomes where there were no children on roll. In England, you can go a step further and check qualifications with the Department for Education on the website. So whatever particular educational approach you take (whether it be Montessori like ours or others), show how it centres around the childrens growth. Lenders generally do not want to finance nurseries which are deemed "Inadequate" or "Require Improvement". Remember, Ofsted nursery ratings are important to your parents as well. I also knew that the building had a big back garden, which is unusual in a town. Step 1. If youre sitting with an Ofsted Good nursery, conducting a mock learning walk is excellent preparation to hit your learning walk out of the park. In addition, the costs of the landlords solicitor (to be met by the seller or buyer by agreement) are often a surprise not budgeted for. After all the effort put into your setting, it doesnt seem right. My issue is that we have been told by nursery that it is an ofsted rule that nursery staff cannot wake children from their sleep and that it is the rights of the child to sleep. Having the Right Finance is Key when looking to buy a Nursery for sale. In that case, this will trigger a surprise inspection. However, they most likely will consider your settings: When it comes to Ofsted nursery ratings, consider the 3 Is. This makes sure that you carry out thorough and legal policies and procedures. Establish 38-year profitable Garden Center situated on 4.5+/- acres in Battle Creek, MI for $850,000, w/ 21 +/- more acres available for $325,000. At an Ofsted Outstanding nursery, your staff are brilliant role models who put caring for the children first. Here are some policies that you should implement: Write out the approach that you take to recruiting staff or volunteers to work with your children. (And rest assured that lying wont work in your favour to bump up your rating). With around 90% of day nurseries still small and held in private hands, all this represents something of a threat to the livelihoods of thousands of less-than-hard-nosed nursery practitioners. If you have certain activities planned, again inform your inspector so that they can make time to observe this. Well send you a link to a feedback form. By 501. At the time, the experience was a complete nightmare. And you need to be ready. However, some businesses forget to tell their insurance provider about the changes. Our full contact details can be found on ourContact Uspage. When Redwoods Dowling Kerr initially contacted me two years ago, I was actually quite offended at the thought of selling, but it got me thinking and later I was interested in receiving a valuation. To register your organisation, you will need to have the following details: Everyone who wants to join your organisation in a governance position, such as a committee member, will need to apply to Ofsted. Above all encourage positivity and remember to celebrate your staff and setting. Certain other people involved in your daycare will also need to apply to Ofsted themselves as part of your application to register. Whats the local competition? If, for instance, a child was full of beans at doze time, he or she could go and play in the garden under supervision, rather than be made to lie down. Seek out expert advice on tax issues to ensure you have everything in place to pay the correct amount of tax. What are some positive changes that I have made? We want to help settings do the same. - a nanny. Its worth thinking about whether you will be able to pass on your business before you start. Wed like to set additional cookies to understand how you use GOV.UK, remember your settings and improve government services. Ogley Hay Nursery School retains Ofsted outstanding rating for third year in a row By Adam Smith Walsall Education Published: Just now Staff at Ogley Hay Nursery School, Brownhills, are. You can change your cookie settings at any time. The right buyer came along in December. The necessary planning permission will have been secured. To help us show you teaching resources, downloads and more youll love, complete your profile below. OFSTED Requirements All nurseries must be registered with the Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services and Skills (OFSTED). It was previously rated 'good' following an inspection in 2017. This self analysis is uncomfortable for many people until they realise the impact it has on developing and extending their knowledge and practice. Maximise efficiency in your childcare business. Pay your childcare or social care invoice 27 May 2020 Guidance Pay your Ofsted annual registration fee by direct debit 13. My main mistakes were: Thinking the best of people. Ofsted will grade each Area of Inspection, which will form the overall grading. View Full Details. Section 5: The leadership and management of the Early Years provision. This process, while sounding simple enough, can be tedious and costly if not done. You need to ensure that you monitor and improve your recruitment processes. Have you had supervision? Lets break it down. You should read this guide if you will be looking after children aged between birth and the 31 August following their fifth birthday and you will be doing this in: If you want to look after children in this way, you will need to register your daycare. you like learning outside) inform the inspector. People have seen how resilient the sector is and lending has remained in place so while the banks, and well-funded, cash-rich investors are supportive of the sector, people will continue to invest. Anyone you have to tell us about must also apply to join your registration. And the children are well-behaved and happy. This is what your inspector will be looking for. Some owners are being cautious about putting their nursery on the market, but with buyers' enquiries going through the roof, now is a good time, advises Mr Yates. Choose a broker on their experience, references and whether you feel you can have a good working relationship with them. Please either call us now on 01392 879414 or complete our Free Online Enquiry and we will soon be in touch. And because it had previously been a church, the building already had D1 User the essential Planning Designation anyone must have in order to run a nursery, a school or any other institutional enterprise. The companys founders, Peers and Susan Carter, ran their own school and day nursery in Kent for many years. This sets the tone for your setting overall. With specialist nursery brokers Redwoods Dowling Kerr reporting enquiries rising by a staggering 142 per cent since lockdown it is currently very much a sellers market. As you probably know, childrens day nurseries are nationally regulated by the Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted), which inspects all childcare provision. Now that weve covered everything you should do on the day, what should you avoid? But, of course, this is far from an ideal start for any new nursery business. You can configure the nursery exactly as you want to. It need not be a scary/stressful document. 4 Providence Court Pynes Hill Exeter Devon EX2 5JL, Truelegal Solicitors 4 Providence Court, Pynes Hill Exeter, Devon, EX2 5JL, Automated page speed optimizations for fast site performance. Resource packs to supercharge your planning, I would like to receive regular updates from Teachwire with free lesson plans, great new teaching ideas, offers and more. Get your parents involved in the inspection, 12. You can expect to receive a telephone call at around midday on a working day before the start of the inspection. You will already have a full complement of staff. I think there was additional interest because there is lots of business potential. What was your childs starting point and what stage of development are they in now? Well, we already owned a small independent school just up the road, and both it and soon-to-be nursery were situated quite near to the town centre and railway station ideal for working mums and dads dropping off their children for the day. I agreed a sale two months later after seven viewings and two offers. The Charity Commission has launched a compliance case into the Abu Bakr Trust, which runs three schools and a nursery in Walsall, in the West Midlands, after staff used social media channels to . Who would you approach or contact if you had any safeguarding concerns regarding a child or adult? Running a nursery takes lots of energy and enthusiasm and I felt that I had reached my peak, so it was time to sell the business. Therefore we are hoping you wouldbe able to offer us some advise on general start up costs for any business. MA Education is part of the Mark Allen Group. They will pick up information from a variety of sources such as word of mouth, and of course your website. I found Redwoods very reassuring and helpful because of all their experience in the sector. You get to select all your own staff. Our Blossomers are able to link all observations to both EYFS and Montessori frameworks, as well as track observations and child development to show the inspector what the 3 Is mean at their setting. One thing becoming more of a necessity for future acquisitions will be outdoor space, says Ms Caldwell. You can create your own image and ethos for the business, and market it in the way you wish. This can be your home, or someone else's. You can only have a maximum of 3. ), Encourage staff to share previous inspection experiences, List of current staff and their qualifications, including in paediatric first aid, Register/list showing the date of birth of all children on roll and routine staffing arrangements, List of children present at the setting during the inspection (if not shown on the register), Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) records and any other documents summarising the checks on, and the vetting and employment arrangements of, all staff working at the setting, All logs that record accidents, exclusions, children taken off roll, and incidents of poor behaviour, All logs of incidents of discrimination, including racist incidents, Complaints log and/or evidence of any complaints and their resolutions, Safeguarding and child protection policies, Fire-safety arrangements and other statutory policies relating to health and safety, List of any referrals made to the local authority designated person for safeguarding, with brief details of the resolutions. We also use cookies set by other sites to help us deliver content from their services. Two approaches. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. All of that adds up to a lot less risk, compared with starting from scratch. You want to have control over it as you do not want panic to ensue. Weve tackled the Ofsted inspection ourselves with our very own Blossom Tree setting and came out the other side with an Outstanding! And most important of all, you will have money coming in from the very day you become the owner. Your application to register as a nursery or other daycare will not be reviewed by Ofsted until these 2 steps are also completed. When business purchasers need practical legal advice, delivered by sector experts, they turn to Truelegal. So, if youre interested in buying a childrens nursery, as well as giving your attention to the financials, the best thing you can do to try and avoid problems both with Ofsted and the landlord of the premises is to give them your focus early on in the transaction process. To avoid the possibility of your day nursery being unlicensed for any period youll need to be proactive with the seller early on in the transaction process. I liked that I never felt pushed by Redwoods and they gave me good feedback. But there are a few disadvantages too. Look critically at your nursery through the eyes of a buyer to decide what needs improving before you put it on the market. However, in these exciting early days its also crucial that you dont overlook two other matters which commonly cause problems and costly delay for first-time buyers of childrens nurseries: namely, registration with Ofsted and the legal transfer of premises. While demand for nurseries remains strong, Ms Caldwell has seen a slight shift in those wishing to purchase. It is no secret that your Ofsted nursery inspector will need to review certain important documentation during their visit. Buying a Nursery Franchise. While some want a profitable and cash generative business, Robert Yates, head of sales at Redwoods, says others are looking to turn around closed or underperformingsettings to gain healthy adjusted profit levels. Choose a broker on their experience, references and whether you feel you can have a good working relationship with them. We simply had to apply for a change of D1 use from church to day nursery, which was far easier than trying to obtain D1 User for, say, a house. It may not be the case for them, but its worth being one step ahead than one step behind. In particular, you need to carefully check the remaining term of the lease; it may be there is only a few months tenure remaining, which is clearly unsatisfactory for the future stability and saleability of your business. days its also crucial that you dont overlook two other matters which commonly cause problems and costly delay for first-time buyers of childrens nurseries: How will the Governments 30 hours free childcare scheme impact on the Childrens Nursery sector, How to avoid 2 common problems when buying a childrens day nursery, Buying a Childrens Nursery School business, Selling your Childrens Nursery or Pre-School business. I can also see commuter areas being far more in demand, but central London may become quieter. It was bought by a growing group which wanted to expand in the area and has a model of buying four nurseries in a ten-mile radius overseen by an area manager. Inspectors are unlikely to check all policies, however, according to the Early Years inspection handbook, ones to get ready most likely are: Practitioners can access The Early Years Inspection Handbook anytime once uploaded to the Blossom platform. Some suggestions to encourage reflective practice at your setting: At some point during your inspection, there will come a time for joint observations. Outstanding settings receive fewer inspections. Take note of your policies and procedures. We use some essential cookies to make this website work. If you want to work part of your time as a childminder, and part with 3 or more other childminders or assistants, you must register separately for each. When business owners need practical legal advice, delivered by sector experts, they turn to Truelegal. Our main piece of advice is to prepare these the day before the inspection. Nurseries across the UK use Blossom to increase efficiency across their finance, learning journeys, operations & occupancy. Unsurprisingly, you can expect to be asked a variety of questions on inspection day. Dont try to do anything on a tight budget, and dont rely on promises from Ofsted, builders, decorators or indeed anyone else, because at least one of them is bound to let you down, sadly! I did feel I was being deceitful when I told staff that the valuer was from an insurance company, but I did not want staff and parents to be unnecessarily worried. You will always need on site, at all times, a qualified first aider and a nursery supervisor (With qualifications of at least a level 3). Our reputation for identifying and prioritising the value-driving aspects of a business transaction and our get-it-done attitude have won us repeat clients and multiple referrals from business brokers and transfer agents. The impact of this self reflective practice takes us [children, staff and parents] from strength to strength.. Other than that, people want much the same as before. This is what your inspector is evaluating. Sounds straightforward enough, but what you may not appreciate is that this registration process is incredibly thorough, taking up to 26 weeks to complete. I was surprised to be told how unique my nursery was. No longer practising as a solicitor, she now applies her legal research and writing skills to keep Truelegals team and clients updated with the latest know-how across our specialist business sectors. Its important to create an open and honest dialogue with your Ofsted nursery inspector. I contacted Redwoods because Id seen adverts in Nursery World and found them really knowledgeable. This guidance is for those who are registered, or want to register, with Ofsted. Of course, if you have limited budget, you may not have that luxury and have to just hope for the best. Ms Caldwell agrees, The childcare market, or any market regardless of sector, is always going to be strongest when the buyer market outweighs the supply and that is very much the case. Although the lease will usually state that such consent is not to be unreasonably withheld, in practice, it is rarely a speedy process for the following reasons: Its important to make sure that you are aware of the terms of the lease to be assigned. Ensure that your nursery is bright, smart and welcoming and that staff are friendly and children engaged. If the childcare takes place in someones home, you must tell Ofsted about any changes to who is living or working there. Buying a business Some are directed at the manager, others Room Leaders, and so on. - a childminder Another thing to consider before embarking upon any new nursery project is the amount of free time the government claims it will give to parents. I was amazed at the amount of documentation I had to provide, from Ofsted registration certificates and finances to building planning permission. For guidance on how to register with a childminder agency, or if you are already with an agency, contact the agency directly. Operating a nursery can be very satisfying and rewarding, but it takes a lot of hard work. According to the handbook, they will: Based on evidence gathered (and the criteria set out in part 2 of the handbook as set out above) your inspector will put forward a grade for your setting. Since 1986, The School Transfer Company has specialised in the sale of nurseries and schools. You may find that actually coming to market now will put you in a better position because there may be a flurry of nurseries coming to market next year., For anyone considering putting their nursery on the market, Redwoods offers free consultations with no obligation to sell. Yes you can gradually build up staff in a new nursery as long as you are always in line with Ofsted ratios. (You can unsubscribe at any time.). To standardise this process, all children's nurseries must be registered on Ofsted' Early Years Register. You will always get 24 hours notice unless Ofsted has received a concern about your nursery. Ofsted nursery ratings matter to staff very much as well. Get your rating from Good to Outstanding with our methods, tools and advice from Early Years experts who actually did it. This includes the evaluation schedule which specifically sets out clear criteria for each inspection judgement. The Covid-19 pandemic has a very real and serious impact on children and their development. Photos are excellent tangible evidence that your inspector can collect all in support of improving your rating. You have rejected additional cookies. OFSTED's report history is another important consideration. Often when nurseries are expanding, under advice from financial advisors, they will change their company structure. How do practitioners interact with children, What opportunities for progress and growth you provide. Inspectors must spend as much time as possible gathering evidence about the quality of care, teaching, and learning. Operational reports to give you the data you need. Consider how effectively the manager supports staff to promote the learning and development of all children. Practice your learning walk every couple of months so that when the time comes youre a pro. Therefore, its important for you and our staff to have a good read of this handbook. Establishing whether or not the lease is a protected business lease can make a big difference to the value of a business where location is important and alternative premises are scarce. I sold it last year as a 68-place nursery with a before- and after-school club and minibus. There are 4 ratings Ofsted assigns. Whats The Difference Between An Asset Sale And A Share Sale? The sooner we become involved in the process of helping you to buy your childrens nursery the more likely it is that your purchase will be successful, so please contact us today. It was good that I had an honest and open relationship with the buyer and that I had a network of other owners in the sector who I could turn to along with my advisor at Redwoods. The Hidden Costs Of Buying A Bed And Breakfast, Buying A Veterinary Practice? Blossomers are able to upload and store The Early Years Inspection Handbook on the Blossom platform for continued, easy access. Those nurseries that have plenty of outdoor space have found the bubbles and social distancing easier than those that dont. Overall, make it a celebration of your nurserys achievements and what impact it has made. Separately they are: intent, implementation, and impact. Your inspection day is not the time to try anything new. Talk to the children and practitioners about the activities provided, Talk to parents to gain their views on the quality of care and education provided, Observe the interactions between practitioners and children, Gauge childrens levels of understanding and their engagement in learning, Talk to practitioners about their assessment of what children know and can do and how they are building on it, Observe care routines and how they are used to support childrens personal development, including the settings approach to toilet training. The NDNA can also help individuals looking to buy or set up a nursery, and has a resource pack called Developing a Day Nursery priced at 25 plus postage and packing. (You can unsubscribe at any time.). How well do you understand your nursery business? What Are The Average Solicitors Fees For Buying Or Selling A Business? So theres no pulling a fast one with them. What are the different Ofsted nursery ratings, 2. I would encourage anyone considering their exit within the next two years to contact us to discuss if now is the right time for them to exit, he says. Need help with Blossom? Make job offers conditional. You will need to maintain your Ofsted registration with an annual fee. How involved are the parents at the setting? And finally, Outstanding. To receive this rating, your nursery needs to be exceeding expectations on every level and stand out from the average. Show your inspector the impact your setting has on your observations and assessments for each child. Not registered with Teachwire? If EY providers make use of any modifications and disapplicatons, details on where to apply reasonable endeavours and best endeavours are included. The nursery was very much my baby and, rather than rush a sale, I wanted to be selective so that it went to the right person, not just for the right price. With this check, you make sure that prospective employees are legally able to work within the UK. buying a nursery: ofsted. 142 Posts. Summary of how to go from Good to Outstanding. As part of the negotiations, you should request a provision in the Sale and Purchase Agreement that the seller agrees to maintain their Ofsted registration after the completion date and until such time as your own registration has been confirmed. Chat about it now and then in the common room over tea. Lets talk about The Early Years Inspection Handbook, 6. Gain an insight into the effectiveness of the provisions professional development programme for practitioners, Learn about the providers view of staffs interactions with children, See the quality of the implementation of the curriculum/educational programmes. Offers only become binding once it satisfies any stipulated conditions you may set out. Steps to buying and selling Find a confidential broker who has experience in the nursery sector. So the first lessons here are: allow for everything to cost far more than you expect, and to take far more time than you could possibly imagine. Firstly, you will need to check the terms of the lease to see whether an assignment is allowed. Well, a lot will obviously depend upon your budget and the amount of energy you have but with one eye on selling the nursery on at some point in the future, I would advise investing in the biggest nursery you can afford. You will need to register as a daycare organisation if you are running a childcare business where both of the following apply: This is known as providing childcare on domestic premises. How do you get your point across? We are after some advice,We are thinking of setting up a business and have seen a nursery for sale that we are thinking of trying to get a mortgage on and that i would run. How buying a nursery with us works. Find a confidential broker who has experience in the nursery sector. The government is planning to increase this from 15 hours per week to 30 for all nurseries as of September 2017, but many providers feel that the money the government intends to pay settings to finance these hours barely meet their costs, let alone generate any profit.