n so get them on board and become their expert in the nursery industry. This may give you exposure in the press without having to spend money on advertising and long term they may come back to again for other news stories. Put a twist on such days and make the media's job easier by making it a newsworthy story. Public relations can be a great way to get exposure for your new nursery – and it can be free!

- Consider attending local networking events and speak to people. The loc

In Parts 1 and 2 of Avoiding the common mistakes when starting up in the Nursery World we looked the importance of market research and sorting out your finances by using experts like accountants, financial advisors and nursery insurance brokers. We also looked at nursery business plans and importance of knowing your customers.

In this final article we will provide you with some top tips to make sure the opening and long term prospects for your new nursery go to plan:

Rules and regulations – with nurseries being regulated by OFSTED and with any breach of rules likely to be frowned upon by them and your potential customers make sure you know your stuff in relation to child ratios, staffing qualifications and the new fire risk assessments that came into force recently.

Buy an established nursery – although your dream maybe to set up a brand new nursery you may want to consider the easier option of buying an existing and well established nursery and putting your own stamp on that. Not only will this mean that you will most likely have existing children to attend but staff issues and all the regulations may already be in place. Whilst it may cost more up front the long term benefits could be huge and it may certainly help with your first year stress levels.

Marketing – the final tip is one that people businesses (not just nurseries) sometimes take for granted and don't dedicate enough time or money to. Marketing and getting bums on seats is really going to make or break your new nursery. Simple things you can do include telling everyone about your new nursery (word of mouth and recommendations are likely to bring in more new children than anything else).

There are numerous other ways in which you can use marketing to gain exposure and fill places.

Some of these include:

- Have an open day and invite local children, parents and the media. The press love stories relating to children so get them on board and become their expert in the nursery industry. This may give you exposure in the press without having to spend money on advertising and long term they may come back to again for other news stories. Put a twist on such days and make the media's job easier by making it a newsworthy story. Public relations can be a great way to get exposure for your new nursery – and it can be free!

- Consider attending local networking events and speak to people. The loca

es and regulations – with nurseries being regulated by OFSTED and with any breach of rules likely to be frowned upon by them and your potential customers make sure you know your stuff in relation to child ratios, staffing qualifications and the new fire risk assessments that came into force recently.

Buy an established nursery – although your dream maybe to set up a brand new nursery you may want to consider the easier option of buying an existing and well established nursery and putting your own stamp on that. Not only will this mean that you will most likely have existing children to attend but staff issues and all the regulations may already be in place. Whilst it may cost more up front the long term benefits could be huge and it may certainly help with your first year stress levels.

Marketing – the final tip is one that people businesses (not just nurseries) sometimes take for granted and don't dedicate enough time or money to. Marketing and getting bums on seats is really going to make or break your new nursery. Simple things you can do include telling everyone about your new nursery (word of mouth and recommendations are likely to bring in more new children than anything else).

There are numerous other ways in which you can use marketing to gain exposure and fill places.

Some of these include:

- Have an open day and invite local children, parents and the media. The press love stories relating to children so get them on board and become their expert in the nursery industry. This may give you exposure in the press without having to spend money on advertising and long term they may come back to again for other news stories. Put a twist on such days and make the media's job easier by making it a newsworthy story. Public relations can be a great way to get exposure for your new nursery – and it can be free!

- Consider attending local networking events and speak to people. The loc

and putting your own stamp on that. Not only will this mean that you will most likely have existing children to attend but staff issues and all the regulations may already be in place. Whilst it may cost more up front the long term benefits could be huge and it may certainly help with your first year stress levels.

Marketing – the final tip is one that people businesses (not just nurseries) sometimes take for granted and don't dedicate enough time or money to. Marketing and getting bums on seats is really going to make or break your new nursery. Simple things you can do include telling everyone about your new nursery (word of mouth and recommendations are likely to bring in more new children than anything else).

There are numerous other ways in which you can use marketing to gain exposure and fill places.

Some of these include:

- Have an open day and invite local children, parents and the media. The press love stories relating to children so get them on board and become their expert in the nursery industry. This may give you exposure in the press without having to spend money on advertising and long term they may come back to again for other news stories. Put a twist on such days and make the media's job easier by making it a newsworthy story. Public relations can be a great way to get exposure for your new nursery – and it can be free!

- Consider attending local networking events and speak to people. The loc

ting bums on seats is really going to make or break your new nursery. Simple things you can do include telling everyone about your new nursery (word of mouth and recommendations are likely to bring in more new children than anything else).

There are numerous other ways in which you can use marketing to gain exposure and fill places.

Some of these include:

- Have an open day and invite local children, parents and the media. The press love stories relating to children so get them on board and become their expert in the nursery industry. This may give you exposure in the press without having to spend money on advertising and long term they may come back to again for other news stories. Put a twist on such days and make the media's job easier by making it a newsworthy story. Public relations can be a great way to get exposure for your new nursery – and it can be free!

- Consider attending local networking events and speak to people. The loc

n so get them on board and become their expert in the nursery industry. This may give you exposure in the press without having to spend money on advertising and long term they may come back to again for other news stories. Put a twist on such days and make the media's job easier by making it a newsworthy story. Public relations can be a great way to get exposure for your new nursery – and it can be free!

- Consider attending local networking events and speak to people. The local chamber of commerce or just a group of people who meet on a regular basis can help you spread the word. Get some brightly coloured business insurance cards printed up and hand these out to people you speak to. Even if they don't have children of their own they may know people who do and are looking for a nursery.

I hope these few tips will help you in setting up your new nursery and that you avoid the mistakes many new nurseries make when setting up in the nursery world.