Are you a childcare provider based in a rural or peri rural area? Do you need help, support and/or information about:

• Sustainability and running the business (e.g. marketing, budget forecasting, fundraising etc)
• Childcare committee roles and responsibilties
• Childcare committee recruitment issues
• Operating as a charity (e.g. your constitution, mission statement (aims), annual returns)
• Childcare legal forms, status and structure
• Childcare regulation (e.g. Childcare Act 2006) and regulatory bodies
• Childcare Committee staff/employment responsibilities
• Relationships with venues (e.g. Village Hall trustees)
• The welfare requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage (i.e. the law)

Funded by and working in collaboration with the West Sussex Early Childhood Service team, the project looks at and supports many of the hurdles facing village and small town childcare. Rural childcare, commonly run by voluntary committees, is crucial to thriving communities providing much needed services and a wealth of experiences for children and families. Volunteering and working in childcare today is full of complex challenges. For support and information see our Childcare Committee Support Pack and other publications.

Introduction and Contents

Section One - The Childcare Management Committee

Section Two - "Getting it right legally"

Section Three - Regulation and regulatory bodies

Section Four - Running the business

Section Five - Employing Staff

Section Six - Assuring quality

Further Information - including Committee recruitment, Handing over, useful websites and a glossary

Health Checks for all sections

The Childcare Committee Support Pack - whole document

This publication was funded by West Sussex County Council Early Childhood Service.

This useful document (click here) brings together the two perspectives of running a childcare business (including voluntary charitable childcare) and that of running a community building in a mutually sustainable manner. It covers; negotiating arrangements, joint management suggestions, hire agreement or occupational licence, practical challenges, ensuring children are safe and much more.

West Sussex Rural Childcare Strategy Update 2007

Considering Childcare and the needs of parents within an Action Plan

If you found any of the information located on this page useful, please consider making a donation to Action in rural Sussex by clicking here.  

What are your needs or issues? After school care (e.g. Childminders), access to services, links to other providers? Want to forge links with other childcare providers?