Leah Turner, co-founder of Owen Froebel, which offers day nursery brokerage, valuations and sales, on new year resolutions and actions.
2024 passed as another year where despite my best intentions on 1 January, I still failed to learn Italian, go to the gym every day, or turn my pugs into Instagram stars so I can be their full time ‘momager’ and live in luxury.
What I'm going to do this year is play 25 bingo, and try a little and often approach – and I encourage you to do the same.
What you do is pick 25 small things for the year. Lay them out on a 5 × 5 chart and then pick and choose your way through the year. When you get a full row, treat yourself!
Here are some ideas:
For nursery owners:
- Pick one supplier and shop around for a better deal.
- Join a local business networking group.
- Review occupancy once a month to spot trends.
- Start banning staff from your office for one hour a day.
- Look at conversion rates for enquires and plug gaps in the process.
- Pick five important documents and digitise them.
- Update the setting brochure.
- Task a staff member to create a social media plan and roll it out.
- Research local competition rates, strengths and weaknesses.
For nursery buyers:
- Research brokers and make sure you are signed up to them all and they know what you are looking for.
- Make an appointment with a finance broker.
- Research demographics and demand in your target area.
- Study how day nurseries are valued and what to look for in accounts.
- Learn about Ofsted and how the registration process works.
- Attend a nursery conference and speak with suppliers.
- Create a ‘deal breaker’ list.
- Find a solicitor to guide you through the process.
- Research different pedagogies.
- Digitise your own paperwork.
Make 2025 the year when small and often gets you closer to your goals.
