Open your nursery with close expert support at every major stage
A selective 12-month, done-with-you programme for committed founders who want an experienced partner across property, finance, staffing, Ofsted registration and launch.
- Two nursery building visits
- Priority email and WhatsApp support
- Staff training and nursery documents
- No equity, royalties or ongoing share
The difficulty is not wanting it enough. It is making dozens of connected decisions correctly.
Many strong applicants already have childcare, care, leadership or business experience. What they have not done before is coordinate an entire nursery opening as one project.
The wrong property can cost months
Capacity, layout, planning, lease terms, building works and registration expectations all affect whether a premises is genuinely workable.
One weak area can delay registration
Safeguarding, staffing, finances, suitability and your Ofsted responses need to work together. A checklist alone rarely shows how to judge the whole picture.
Important decisions arrive at the wrong time
Landlords, contractors, funding applications and registration deadlines do not always wait for your next scheduled advice call. That is when close support matters most.
Your nursery is treated as one joined-up project
The order is adapted to your starting point, but the work is organised around four clear stages.
Build the foundation
- Clarify the nursery model and vision
- Research local demand and competition
- Test fees, staffing and financial assumptions
- Create the opening roadmap
Secure the right property
- Assess proposed premises
- Estimate realistic capacity
- Review layout and required works
- Plan the first building visit
Prepare the business
- Develop staffing and recruitment plans
- Build documents and operating systems
- Prepare branding, website and marketing
- Strengthen cash-flow planning
Register and open
- Prepare the application and interview
- Complete a full mock registration visit
- Use the second visit for final readiness
- Train staff and prepare for launch
You start with clarity, priorities and a realistic route forward
The first month is designed to turn a broad ambition into a structured project with clear responsibilities and next actions.
Close support across the parts of opening that cannot be treated separately
Instead of buying disconnected services and trying to coordinate them yourself, you receive one programme built around your nursery plan.
Strategy, accountability and priority access
Regular structure and close support so the project keeps moving.
- ✓Regular one-to-one strategy and action-plan meetings
- ✓12 months of active mentorship
- ✓Priority email and WhatsApp support
- ✓Faster prioritisation where decisions are time-sensitive
Property and financial planning
Support before you commit to a building or financial assumption.
- ✓Property search and assessment guidance
- ✓Capacity, layout and building-work considerations
- ✓Two agreed nursery building visits
- ✓Business-plan, funding and cash-flow guidance
Registration and Ofsted preparation
Detailed preparation that connects your answers, documents, staffing and premises.
- ✓Registration approach and application support
- ✓Detailed Ofsted interview preparation
- ✓Full mock registration visit
- ✓Practical feedback and final preparation
Systems, recruitment and launch
Help preparing the nursery to operate, recruit and attract families.
- ✓Recruitment planning and senior staffing support
- ✓Comprehensive nursery document access
- ✓Branding, website and marketing guidance
- ✓Launch and enrolment planning
Course access and staff training
Learning and training that remains useful as the nursery team grows.
- ✓Lifetime access to the full nursery-opening course
- ✓Level 2 Safeguarding Training for up to 5 staff
- ✓Baby Room Training for up to 5 staff
- ✓Current combined individual training value of £349.90
You receive close support, but the nursery remains your project and your decision
Clear responsibilities protect both sides and help the work move forward without confusion.
Curtly will
- ✓Review and challenge your plans
- ✓Help you assess risks before committing
- ✓Prepare you for property, staffing and registration decisions
- ✓Review agreed documents and plans
- ✓Provide accountability and priority support
- ✓Attend the two agreed building visits
You will
- ✓Complete agreed tasks and remain responsive
- ✓Make the final business and financial decisions
- ✓Arrange funding and third-party professionals
- ✓Submit applications and enter contracts
- ✓Recruit, operate and manage the nursery
- ✓Remain actively engaged throughout the programme
Close support matters most when the decision cannot simply wait
Complete Mentorship clients receive the highest support priority. This is especially valuable when a landlord, contractor, funding decision or registration deadline is actively affecting the project.
Different starting points, but the same need for clearer decisions and close support
These founders did not need generic motivation. They needed practical help with the obstacles directly in front of them.
Mohsin, Little Peaches Nursery
Mohsin had business experience and wanted to create a nursery brand that could expand. We worked on the location, systems, brand and Ofsted preparation. Little Peaches attracted 70 children to its waiting list before opening and was full within three months.
“Curtly guided me through everything, from building my brand and finding the right location to preparing for Ofsted.”
Venus, Fulham’s Angels
After two unsuccessful registration visits with other support, Venus worked on her building, resources, responses and confidence. She passed on the next attempt.
Springlane Nursery, Croydon
During the building walkthrough, practical changes were identified and completed before the registration visit. The nursery passed and said the preparation made a meaningful difference to its confidence.
“His advice was practical, clear and based on real experience.”
Trustpilot review, March 2026
A complicated journey broken into manageable next steps
Aklima explained that the programme provided the documents, structure and personal support she needed. That became particularly important when her building fell through and the process felt emotionally difficult.
“He provides you with everything you could ever need. It is broken down step by step, so it is easy to follow and it really does hold your hand through the entire process.”
Aklima, Complete Mentorship client
The programme works best when close support is matched with action
Complete Mentorship is selective because the support is personal and the success of the project depends on both sides completing their part.
This may be the right programme for you if…
- ✓You aim to open within approximately 6 to 18 months
- ✓You have childcare, care, leadership or business experience
- ✓You have start-up capital or a credible funding route
- ✓You will complete agreed actions between meetings
- ✓You want close involvement rather than occasional advice
- ✓You value honest feedback and accountability
It may not be the right option yet if…
- ×You are only casually exploring with no likely opening timescale
- ×You have no likely access to start-up funding
- ×You cannot dedicate regular time to the project
- ×You want someone else to open and operate the nursery entirely for you
- ×You are not ready to respond or complete agreed work
- ×You mainly need one isolated answer or service
Invest in close support while keeping full ownership of the nursery you build
Or six monthly payments of £1,275, £7,650 in total
The payment plan costs £655 more overall than paying in full. The full payment schedule, support terms and service details are provided before enrolment.
A programme place is offered only when the fit is right on both sides
I work with a limited number of active Complete Mentorship clients at one time so I can remain closely involved in each nursery project. Applications are reviewed based on readiness, suitability and available capacity.
If a spouse, investor or business partner will contribute to the investment or make the final decision with you, they should join the suitability call so everyone understands the programme, investment and responsibilities before proceeding.
What happens next
Important details before you apply
Do I need to have found a nursery building before applying?
No. Property search and assessment form an important part of the programme. You should, however, have a credible location, financial route and opening timescale rather than only a general long-term idea.
Does the programme guarantee that Ofsted will register me?
No service can guarantee Ofsted’s decision, planning approval, funding or business performance. The programme provides detailed preparation, practical feedback and support intended to improve your readiness and reduce avoidable risks.
How long does the support last?
The formal active mentorship period is 12 months. Where you remain actively engaged, complete agreed actions and continue making reasonable progress, limited completion support may continue beyond that period by written agreement. The programme does not provide indefinite or lifetime one-to-one support.
What does remaining actively engaged mean?
It means attending agreed meetings, responding to requests, completing agreed actions and continuing to progress property, funding, registration, recruitment or opening activities.
Does the programme cover Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland?
The core programme is built around England’s Ofsted registration process. Applicants in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland should contact Open a Nursery UK before applying so the suitability of the programme and any registration-specific limitations can be confirmed.
Are the two building visits available anywhere in the UK?
The location, purpose, travel arrangements and any geographic limitations are confirmed before a programme place is accepted. This prevents either side making assumptions about travel or the practical use of the visits.
What is not included?
The programme is a done-with-you service rather than a done-for-you management contract. You remain responsible for legal advice, surveys, planning applications, contractors, employment decisions, financial decisions, Ofsted submissions and operating the nursery. Third-party costs are separate unless expressly stated in your agreement.
Why do I apply instead of buying immediately?
Complete Mentorship involves close working contact over an extended period. The application checks that your project, expectations, available time and likely funding are suitable before payment is taken.
Is the payment plan the same total as paying in full?
No. Paying in full costs £6,995. The instalment option is six payments of £1,275 and totals £7,650.
Can I cancel after joining?
The cancellation, payment, pause and service-usage terms are set out clearly in the programme agreement before payment. Read them carefully and raise any questions before accepting a place.
You do not have to carry every major nursery decision alone
Tell Curtly where you are, what you are trying to build and what is currently preventing you from moving forward.