Business support

A key part of the Government’s commitment to improving the sustainability of early years education and childcare providers has been the funding for a Business Support Officer (BSO) to work in each of the 150 local authorities.

Business Success for Childcare - training programmes

The Sure Start's 'Business Success for Programme' has now ended (June 2005). For further information regarding business skills training for Childcare Providers please contact your Local Authority.

If you would still like to access the workbooks that formed part of the business skills training, visit Business success programme section.

Supporting Childcare

The Employer Support Leaflet, 'Supporting Childcare Makes Good Business Sense' provides information on the ways in which businesses can support employees with childcare responsibilities. The leaflet mentions the advantages of providing childcare support to employees and has the contact details of organisations for employers to make use of. This leaflet may be used alongside your locally produced materials".

Business Training Skills - free resource bank

A new range of business support resources are now available to download free. The materials are aimed at developing the business skills of childcare providers and potential providers in setting-up, improving sustainability and the viability of childcare provision.

The materials have been developed by local authorities and the Early Years teams under the Business Support Development Fund Initiative. The Fund was set up to extend and build on the excellent work that is already taking place in Partnerships, visit the 'It's a Business Section'.