Find information, guidance and practical resources to support the successful management and growth of your childcare business.
This page brings together a range of tools and resources to help with business planning, financial management, marketing, sustainability and service development. Resources include free workshops, business planning guidance, cash flow tools, marketing materials and expert advice to help you develop and maintain high-quality childcare provision.
Early Years Expansion and Wraparound programmes
The Early Years Expansion and Wraparound programmes group on the Knowledge Hub is an online collaboration space where childcare providers and local authorities can access Department for Education (DfE) guidance, practical toolkits, and opportunities for peer support.
Whether you are a childminder, nursery, school-based setting, or voluntary sector provider, these resources can help you deliver high-quality, inclusive childcare while supporting the effective management and development of your provision.
The resources have been designed to help providers respond to local needs, plan for growth, and deliver sustainable, high-quality childcare for children and families. Resources cover a wide range of topics, including:
- Business planning
- Capacity building and development
- Finance and funding
- Marketing and promotion
- SEND and inclusive practice
- Staff recruitment and retention
- Supply and demand
- Information for providers
- Practical provider resources
Access the resources
To access these resources, you will need to join the DfE Knowledge Hub group:
Once registered, you will be able to access the following by searching for the Early Years Expansion and Wraparound Programmes group:
- Wraparound toolkit
- Early Years toolkit
Please note that these resources are hosted by the Department for Education and you may be required to create or log in to a Knowledge Hub account before accessing them.
Business planning and cost calculators
The following resources can help you understand and manage the financial and operational aspects of your childcare provision.
Early Years Alliance - Cost of delivery calculator
Available to Early Years Alliance members, the cost of delivery calculator helps providers calculate the cost of delivering childcare and understand the financial health of their business.
HMRC business e-learning tool
This free business e-learning tool is designed for childminders and covers essential business topics, helping you understand your responsibilities and manage your provision effectively.
National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) business support toolkit
Funded by the Department for Education (DfE), the NDNA business support toolkit provides practical business resources, including tools for business appraisal, financial management and workforce
Out of School Alliance
The Out of School Alliance provides financial guidance, resources and articles to help out-of-school clubs develop sustainable and successful services.
Professional Association for Childcare and Early Years (PACEY)
PACEY offers advice, tools, videos, case studies and cost calculators to help childminders build and maintain sustainable childcare businesses. These resources are funded by the Department for Education and developed by childminders for childminders.
Business advice and support
Contact us for advice about:
• Opening an early years or out-of-school provision
• Establishing early years provision within a school
• Merging with a school
• Closing a childcare or childminding business
• Closing a voluntary-managed (charitable) pre-school
• Establishing pre-school provision within an academy school
Contact:
Head of Educational Development
Email: Quentin.Mee@herefordshire.gov.uk
Childcare sufficiency
Herefordshire Council undertakes an annual Childcare Sufficiency Assessment to understand whether there is enough childcare available to meet the needs of local families.
The assessment considers childcare provision for children aged 0 to 14 years, and up to 18 years for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). It reviews:
• Current and future supply and demand for childcare
• Affordability and accessibility of childcare places
• Quality of provision across the county
• Areas where additional childcare places may be needed
The findings help inform future planning and identify actions to address any gaps in provision.
Further information
• View the latest Childcare Sufficiency Assessment
Marketing and promotion
Effective marketing is an important part of building a sustainable childcare business. Whether you are a childminder, nursery or out-of-school provider, promoting your service can help attract new families and raise awareness of the childcare you offer.
The following resources provide practical advice and ideas to support your marketing activity: