Support available for Greater Manchester's early years businesses

The GM Business Growth Hub has launched a series of strategic workshops aimed at helping early years businesses thrive.

Despite a declining birth rate in the UK, the demand for nursery care remains high, with over 3 million children aged 0 to 4.

However, the number of providers has been steadily decreasing since 2015, primarily due to a decline in childminders, posing a high barrier to market entry. Those who remain in the sector face stiff competition, recruitment challenges, and financial pressures.

To address these challenges, a series of workshops offering valuable advice and expertise has been launched, fully funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

The pilot scheme which was run in Rochdale saw eight service providers participate.

The workshops focus on strategic business planning, leadership development, productivity improvements, and the integration of innovative technologies.

Designed for owners and managers in the early years sector, the workshops provide an opportunity to explore business model innovation and gain market insights.

Participants will be equipped with tools to analyse their business models and better understand the competitive landscape, positioning them to scale new heights in a challenging market.

Experienced business advisors will offer guidance on effective marketing campaigns and utilising AI tools like ChatGPT for educational curriculum and marketing initiatives.

Additionally, participants will be introduced to the range of services offered by the GM Business Growth Hub, which include leadership, workforce development, health, and wellbeing.

Priyanka Batra, director of The Ark Littleborough said: “The Early Years businesses in Rochdale have been facing significant challenges, especially with the increased demand for our services and the impact of COVID-19 on our operations.

“The pandemic has necessitated a shift in how we manage and promote our services, making adapting and innovating more important than ever.

"After the pandemic, we have seen an increased number of children with delayed speech and language. At our nurseries, our new curriculum is designed to help children achieve these important milestones.

“Joining the Early Years Workshop has been incredibly beneficial as it provided a much-needed opportunity for us to step back from our daily routines and focus on reassessing our business model. The insights we gained from the workshop have been invaluable.

“With the guidance and advice from the workshop, we revamped our social media strategy to better target younger parents. Additionally, we developed a comprehensive annual marketing plan, updated our online presence across platforms, and conducted a detailed SWOT analysis.

“This highlighted our weaknesses in building stronger community ties and has informed our action plans going forward. I highly recommend these courses as they offer profound insights and practical strategies that are crucial for growth and adaptation in these challenging times.”

Yvonne Sampson, head of enterprise at Business Growth Hub said: “Nursery and childcare are not only a big issue at the time of the general election but also a big issue for the continued development of the UK economy, as they help to provide essential support for parents, free them up from their family position, and allow them to rejoin the workforce.

“After the success of our pilot program in Rochdale and receiving positive feedback from our participants, we have gained valuable insight into the business needs of this sector and intend to extend the model to early years providers throughout Greater Manchester.

“We are committed to working closely with those service providers by giving them the necessary support to recover from the aftermath of COVID and move towards greater success in their business journey.”