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earlyyears.teachwire.net
6
“WE CAN LEARN A
LOT FROM BUSINESS”
June O’Sullivan explains how...
9
“YOU’LL LOVE
LEADING A NURSERY”
You’re in a role in which you can make a
real difference, says James Hempsall.
11
“PROFIT IS NOT A DIRTY WORD”
Your nursery won’t be outstanding if it
can’t make money, says Chris Townson.
13
ZERO TO ‘OUTSTANDING’
Take the road to success from day one...
17
SHARING KNOWLEDGE
There’s a wealth of support available
from the sector, says Fiona Webb.
19
AN INSPECTOR CALLS...
An Ofsted inspection needn’t be
stressful, says Theresa Johnson.
22
“HELP US TO IMPROVE!”
Kathy Brodie offers tips on sourcing the
right consultant for your setting.
24
GROWING BUSY BEES
Even successful businesses have to start
somewhere, as Marg Randles explains.
27
YOUR FIRST STEPS
Deborah Robinson presents a guide to
starting out in the nursery sector.
28
LOOK BEFORE YOU LEAP
Peers Carter shares advice for those
planning to open a nursery business.
30
“WE WANT IT TO BE PERFECT”
NB
speaks to the owners of newly
opened Fount Nursery in Hackney.
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DRESS TO IMPRESS
Your choice of staff uniform can
say a lot about your nursery.
36
CREATING SAFE
& EFFECTIVE SPACES
Melanie Pilcher explains what to consider
when planning your nursery’s interior.
39
ARE YOUR WASHROOMS
OUTSTANDING?
Don’t underestimate the importance of
your nursery’s toilets, says Ged Hirst.
41
INVESTING IN YOUR OUTDOORS
Improving your nursery’s garden area
can pay dividends.
45
3 STEPS TO
SUSTAINABLE SUCCESS
How can focusing on being
green help your business?
Contents
EDITOR:
Jacob Stow, 01206 505 113,
GROUP ADVERTISING MANAGER:
Richard Stebbing,
,
ADVERTISING MANAGER:
Samantha Law, 01206 505 499,
ACCOUNT MANAGER:
Graham Logan, 01206 505 956,
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT EXECUTIVE:
Louis Stephenson, 01206 505 927,
ART EDITOR:
Chris Ashworth
PHOTOGRAPHY:
CliQQ Photography, cliqq.co.uk
ACCOUNTS:
01206 505995
DESIGN & REPROGRAPHICS:
Ace Pre-Press 01206 508608
SUBSCRIPTIONS DEPARTMENT:
Zoe Charge, 01206 505 426,
PUBLISHER:
Helen Tudor
46
OFFER SOMETHING MORE
Giving parents a broader range of
services can boost revenues and help
you stand out from the crowd.
49
AM I CHARGING ENOUGH?
You need to know how much your
nursery costs and what parents think
it’s worth before setting your fees, says
Chris Townson.
52
BOOSTING YOUR BUDGET
Lorraine Jenkin explains how to raise
funds without raising blood pressures.
54
SHOULD I STAY
OR SHOULD I GROW?
Expanding your nursery business
requires a clear plan, says Sarah Steel.
57
WHY YOU’LL LOVE
E-LEARNING JOURNALS
They can make running an outstanding
nursery easier, explains Deborah Fielden.
63
5 WAYS SOFTWARE CAN
BOOST YOUR EFFICIENCY
Chris Reid explains how you can save
your business time and money.
77
ARE YOU AN
EMPLOYER OF CHOICE?
Recruiting and retaining great staff isn’t
just about paying the highest wages,
says Emma Rooney.
78
WE NEED MORE MEN!
We must do more to recruit male
practitioners, says David Wright.
81
TRAIN THEM YOURSELF
When money is tight, deliver CPD
in-house, says Kirstine Beeley...
82
DEVELOPING
OUTSTANDING STAFF
Fay Gibbin explains how Busy Bees is
upskilling its team.
84
HOW SAFE IS YOUR SETTING?
Getting health and safety right is
essential, says Laura West.
87
5 DISASTERS YOU
WEREN’T EXPECTING
Good insurance is more vital than
you might realise, says Jerry Beere.
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HOW
NOT
TO
LEAD A NURSERY
Try to avoid making your staff
feel insignificant, impoverished and
defeated, says Jonny Keen...
Published by: Maze Media (2000) Ltd,
25 Phoenix Court, Hawkins Rd,
Colchester, Essex, CO2 8JtY.
The views in this magazine are not necessarily those of
the publisher. Every effort is made to ensure the veracity
and integrity of the companies, persons, products and
services mentioned in this publication, and the details
given are believed to be accurate at the time of going to
press. However, no responsibility or liability whatsoever
can be accepted for any consequence or repercussion
of responding to information or advice given or inferred.
Copyright Maze Media (2000) Ltd.
BOOST
YOUR
BRAND!
MARKETING TIPS TO HELP
GROW YOUR BUSINESS...
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WHAT DOES
YOUR WEBSITE SAY
ABOUT YOU?
It’s vital your online
presence gives parents
a good first impression,
says Richard Duddy.
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GOING
SOCIAL
Facebook and the like are
valuable marketing tools,
but only if you use them
properly, says Kate Tyler.
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MARKET WITH
YOUR MENU
By providing nutritious
food, you can help your
nursery stand out from the
crowd, says Nigel Denby.
