Cottage Schools

                             

Nursery schools provide preschool education services for children aged 3-5 years, combined with day care. Most businesses in the nursery school industry are private but may get funding from a variety of sources, including state grants.

Getting affordable, quality child care, especially for children under the age of 5, is a major concern for many parents, particularly in recent years with the rise in families with two working parents. As the need for child day care has increased, the child day care services industry began to fill the need for non-relative child care.

CHOOSING THE RIGHT LOCATION

If you are going to open your business on a commercial site, it should either be close to where parents work or where they live. This could be in a residential neighborhood near a school , a concentration of office parks or sharing a facility with another community organization.

OPERATING FROM YOUR HOME

There are may role-players that must be consulted if you decide to operate your business from home. First and foremost will be your own family who will have a business operating around them and possible encroaching on their space. The neighbors will also have to be consulted about the potential noise and extra traffic. Its important to explain how you will keep the inconvenience and disruptions to a minimum. You may also have to find out from your local municipality whether your home needs to be zoned for business rights or special concessions.

RULES & REGULATIONS

If you are going to accommodate six or more children , you have to register your business with your local municipality, who follows the rules set out by the Department of Social Development.

Your application must contain the following:

Your particulars – identity number, address and telephone numbers.

The physical and postal address of the operation.

The number of children that will be accommodated.

Your qualifications, skills and experience.

A description of the programs and services to be offered, including the aims and objectives.

You must also submit:

1. A business plan containing:

– the business hours of the facility;

– the fee structure;

– the day-care plan;

– the staff composition; and

– the disciplinary policy.

2. The constitution containing the:

– name of the care facility;

– composition, powers and duties of the management.

3. An original copy of the approved building plans.

4. An emergency plan.

5. A tax clearance certificate.

6. A health certificate from the municipality.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

A safe playground that meets the requirements of your municipality.

Insurance – At the very least, you should have public liability insurance, accident and equipment liability insurance.

Compliance – Once you are set-up, the local authority will come assess the premises and the playground.

To serve food you will need a Certificate of Compliance for Food Preparation.

                      

STARTING AND RUNNING A COTTAGE SCHOOL.

Unlike home schooling, a cottage school is where a group of children gathers at a venue and receives education together from one or more teachers. Contrary to popular belief, these are not the same as home schools. “Cottage Schooling” – often called “cooperative schooling” – is an alternative form of education in which children are taught by one or more teachers at a location outside the home for a limited time during the week. Cottage schools can be started by a group of parents or by a teacher.

If you are considering a cottage school but are unsure where to begin, here are some tips to help you get started:

1. Figure out all the legalities – just as public school curriculum vary from state to state, so too do the rules about cottage schools;

2. Decide on an approach.;

3. Tap into your school community;

4. Be patient.

CONTACT US NOW IF YOU NEED HELP IN THIS AREA OR WITH A PROFESSIONAL BANKABLE BUSINESS PLAN – 084 583 3143 OR EMAIL: money@global.co.za