STRIVE Programme

Guidance to Start & Grow your Business

Starting a business can feel overwhelming, but with the right support, it becomes achievable. The STRIVE programme is a bonus service led by our Director, Martina Mullings, designed to help individuals turn their ideas into sustainable enterprises.


While Malearn’s main work is in childcare provision and training, STRIVE reflects our wider commitment to empowering people to succeed in self-employment and enterprise. From business planning and compliance to marketing and growth strategies, Martina draws on her experience in leadership and quality assurance to provide practical, step-by-step guidance.


Through STRIVE, individuals can receive support with:

  • Developing a business model and preparing for launch
  • Understanding regulatory and quality standards
  • Creating essential policies and operating systems
  • Building long-term sustainability and growth strategies
  • Increasing confidence and entrepreneurial skills


One of STRIVE’s key focuses is childcare start-ups, where Martina provides tailored support with business planning, policies and safeguarding, staffing, preparing the environment, choosing resources, and engaging parents.


While the examples come from childcare, the same principles of business planning, compliance, and sustainable growth apply across wider enterprise ventures. With step-by-step support, new providers gain the confidence and practical tools they need to establish strong, sustainable businesses.


If you’re considering starting your own childcare business and would like expert guidance, get in touch today to enquire about STRIVE.

🎥Hear from  Charmaine Ifediora, who shares her journey of  setting up as a childminder with Martina’s support—one example of how STRIVE helps people turn ambition into reality.


STRIVE Programme

Frequently Asked Questions & Pricing

What is the STRIVE Programme?

STRIVE is a professional compliance, registration, and readiness support programme, currently focused on childcare and early years provision.

STRIVE supports individuals and organisations to prepare for registration, compliance, and inspection-led environments, with an emphasis on doing things properly, confidently, and sustainably.


Who is STRIVE for?

STRIVE is suitable for:

  • Aspiring childminders
  • Nurseries and group childcare providers
  • Individuals preparing for registration or inspection
  • Early-stage childcare providers needing structured professional guidance

STRIVE is not a generic employability or short-course programme.


What type of support does STRIVE provide?

Support may include:

  • Registration and readiness guidance
  • Compliance and inspection preparation
  • Policies and procedures review
  • Structured 1:1 professional support
  • Action planning and progress reviews

All support is tailored to the individual or organisation.


Is STRIVE a training programme?

No.

STRIVE provides professional support, guidance, and preparation.

Any mandatory or accredited training required (such as safeguarding, first aid, or qualifications) must be completed separately and is not included within STRIVE pricing unless explicitly stated.


How long does STRIVE support last?

The length of support depends on the level of service required and may range from:

  • a single consultation
  • short-term focused support
  • comprehensive support over several weeks or months

This is agreed at the outset.


Does STRIVE guarantee registration or inspection outcomes?

No programme can guarantee outcomes.

STRIVE supports individuals and organisations to:

  • prepare thoroughly
  • understand expectations
  • reduce avoidable errors
  • approach registration and inspection with confidence

Outcomes depend on engagement and external decision-making.


How do I get started?

The first step is an initial professional consultation.

This allows us to:

  • understand your goals
  • confirm suitability
  • recommend the appropriate level of support

Pricing (Indicative – 2025)


Initial Professional Consultation

£50 (60 minutes)

A focused consultation to:

  • discuss your plans and current readiness
  • confirm whether STRIVE support is suitable
  • outline next steps and likely costs


Childminder Support

Policies & Procedures Review – Childminder

From £350

  • Review of drafted or existing policies
  • Compliance-focused feedback
  • Written recommendations for improvement


Compliance & Inspection Preparation – Childminder

From £500

  • Structured preparation for registration and inspection
  • Guidance on documentation, expectations, and readiness
  • Professional support to build confidence and compliance


Comprehensive Childminder Registration & Readiness Support

From £500
Final pricing is confirmed following consultation and scope review.


Nursery / Group Provision Support

Policies & Procedures Review – Nursery / Group Settings

From £500

  • Review of full policy suite
  • Safeguarding and compliance alignment
  • Written feedback and action points


Compliance & Inspection Preparation – Nursery / Group Settings

From £500+

  • Structured readiness and compliance support
  • Guidance aligned with regulatory and local authority expectations


Comprehensive Nursery Registration & Readiness Package

From £3,500

This reflects:

  • the scale and complexity of group provision
  • regulatory responsibility
  • volume of documentation
  • level of professional oversight required


Why are prices listed as “from”?

Pricing depends on:

  • type of provision (childminder or nursery)
  • current level of readiness
  • volume of work required
  • timescales


All work is scoped and confirmed in writing before delivery begins.