A creche is an establishment where very young children are looked after in the daytime, enabling their parents to work full time.
How Much Does It Cost To Open A Creche In South Africa
Total start-up costs for a creche could range anywhere from R20 000 to R40 000.
Requirements To Open A Creche In South Africa
A guide to opening a nursery school or crèche
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 neighbourhood, near a school, a concentration of office parks or sharing a facility with another community organisation.
Is there enough space for all the equipment needed and to comply with the local municipality’s requirements? Is there enough parking? Is the area zoned for running a business? How much refurbishment will be needed for the premises to be operated as a crèche.
Operating from your home
There are many role-players that must be consulted if you decide to open your business from home. First and foremost will be your own family who will have a business operating around them and possibly encroaching on their space.
The neighbours will have to be consulted about the potential noise and extra traffic. It’s important to explain how you will keep the inconveniences 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.
Finding the finance
The amount of money you will need depends on the size and location of your business, number of children, number of staff and the services you’ll offer. Use your business plan to draw up a budget of all the things you will need.
By comparing it to the cash you already have, you know what your shortfall is; how much money you need to borrow.
Make sure that you have only the essential items in your budget. You can always buy the other items at a later stage. There are a few sources you might go to for funding.
Own resources: take stock of what assets you own, including savings, property equity, insurance policies, unit trusts, etc. These can be sold for cash or used as security for a loan.
Your personal line of credit may enable you to buy most of the equipment on your credit cards.
Approach friends and family who believe you can succeed for. But tread carefully and make sure there is a written contract in place and that the person can afford to take the risk.
You may look for an investor who will partner with you. This could be someone who will put a cash injection into the business and play a hands-on role in the running of the business.
Some partners are willing to invest, but don’t want to be involved in day to day operations. You will need to enter into a written Partnership Agreement that spells out each person’s role and responsibilities.
How do I start a creche in South Africa?
Submit the following:
a business plan containing: the business hours of the partial care facility.
the constitution containing the: name of the partial care facility.
an original copy of the approved building plans.
an emergency plan.
a clearance certificate.
a health certificate from the local municipality.
What are the requirements for opening a creche?
ECD Requirements of Starting a Creche
Form 11 (which you can download or get from your nearest municipal office.
ID Number.
Contact details and address.
Address of the facility.
Qualifications and experience.
Business plan.
Approved building plans.
How do I register a private creche in South Africa?
How do I register an ECD centre?
contact the office of the Department of Social Development nearest to the proposed centre.
consult the local authority (municipality) to obtain the right of use and the necessary health clearance certificate to run the centre in a particular place.
What age should a child start crèche in South Africa?
Parents must enroll children between 1 August and 31 October the preceding year. Grade R applicants must be four years old and turn five by the 30 June of the school year.
Grade one applicants must be five and turn six by 30 June. In order to enroll with a pre-school, you must complete an application form.
Is a crèche a nursery?
A Nursery provides day care for children aged from a few weeks old to those about to start primary school.