Thinking of opening a nursery setting

Actions

Add to shortlist

The following information will help you if you are considering opening an early years and childcare provision in Kensington and Chelsea. It is here to signpost you and develop your thinking - it is not intended as an action plan or a definitive list.

When starting up a childcare provision you should consider:

  • whether you have experience of running an early years provision

  • if you have robust financial and business plans prepared

  • where you are thinking of setting up your childcare business

  • looking at our Childcare Sufficiency Reports

  • whether you understand the legislation requirements in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)

  • whether you understand the registration and inspection of childcare by Ofsted

You must follow the correct legislative process to register as an Early Years Registered Provider. This can include:


1. Undertaking an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check

What is a DBS check?

A DBS check helps employers make safer recruitment decisions and prevent unsuitable people from working with vulnerable groups, including children. There are three types of checks which provide different levels of information on your criminal record.

  • Standard

This checks for spent and unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands and final warnings.

  • Enhanced

This includes the same as the standard check plus any additional information held by local police that’s reasonably considered relevant to the role being applied for.

  • Enhanced with list checks

This is like the enhanced check but includes a check of the DBS barred lists (a list of individuals who are unsuitable for working with children and adults).

Only employers and licensing bodies can request a DBS check, they are carried out during the recruitment process of a role. If you are thinking of becoming a self-employed childminder you will find more information about obtaining DBS check at: Become a childminder: pre-registration briefing (GOV.UK).

For more information on the DBS check, costs, and what's involved visit: DBS checks (GOV.UK).


2. Apply for Ofsted registration

You can find information and guidance on how to register as a childcare provider on the GOV.UK website.

Before you register with Ofsted to become a childcare provider, you should make sure you’re ready by:

  • contacting the Early Years Advisory Team

  • checking all documentation, policy and procedures and EYFS requirements are in place

  • checking that you have adequate staffing levels and suitably qualified staff are in place

  • ensuring that you are ready to receive children the day after your inspection

  • making sure adequate resources are available and that your environment suitable for the age range of children you are caring for

After you've applied for registration the council will be informed by Ofsted of your proposal to register as a childcare provision.


3. Apply for planning permission and identifying a childcare space

You can use our planning applications online search to view previous applications and whether they were granted or refused, you can use this information to assist you when applying. Use search terms such as childcare/nursery/day care to view relevant applications.

Space requirements are outlined in the EYFS. Measurements of the space for childcare will help determine how many children you can care for in the building.

You should also consider:

  • where the building is located
  • if there is staff and parents parking
  • whether the building is located on a main road or a cul-de-sac
  • if it's near a pedestrian crossing, traffic lights


4. Have documentation in place as outlined in the EYFS, policy and procedures

EYFS

Early Years Foundation Stage Statutory Framework (EYFS) is available at the Foundation Years website.

On-going support is available from professional organisations such as:

National Day Nurseries Association

Out of School Alliance


5. Recruit suitable qualified staff as outlined in the EYFS


6. You may also wish to consider marketing and advertising the business


Page last reviewed: 11/03/2024

Skip back to top of page