UK Nursery Franchises Compared

Comparing the major nursery franchise opportunities in the UK.

Thinking about opening a nursery but not sure whether to go it alone or buy into a franchise? In this video, I’m going to walk you through some of the most popular UK nursery franchises, what they offer, what they cost, and the kind of support you can expect.

But, before we get into that welcome to the channel.

Why Choose a Franchise?

Franchising gives you the comfort of an established brand, proven systems, and ongoing support. You get training, operations help, and national marketing, all with the goal of getting you launched and keeping you compliant.

But that support comes at a cost: upfront fees, ongoing royalties, and set rules you’ll need to follow. So, let’s break down the leading UK nursery franchises side-by-side.

1. Monkey Puzzle Day Nurseries

Monkey Puzzle is one of the UK’s biggest nursery franchise networks, with over 70 locations. They’ve been around since 2002 and offer full support to help you get up and running.

You don’t need a childcare background, but you will need a strong manager in place. You’ll be guided through everything: finding a property, securing funding, marketing, recruiting staff – all of it.

In return, you’ll pay a franchise fee and 8% of your monthly turnover. It’s a higher investment overall, but you do get a lot of help.

• Initial Fee: £40,000 + VAT
• Total Investment: £550k-£650k
• Ongoing Royalty: 8% of turnover (plus VAT)
• Franchise Size: 70+ locations
• Support: Property acquisition, training, policies, Ofsted support, business reviews
• USP: Long-established, largest franchise network in the UK
• Restrictions: Must hire a qualified nursery manager if you’re not experienced

Monkey Puzzle is the most recognised nursery franchise brand in the UK. If you’re looking for a big network and full support from start to finish, this brand offers a comprehensive package.

2. Banana Moon Day Nurseries

Next up is Banana Moon. This one stands out for being family-run with a fun, friendly brand image. They’ve grown to over 50 nurseries since launching in 2010.

Banana Moon combines a supportive environment with tech-savvy features like CCTV and biometric entry. They’re known for great marketing resources and ongoing support. You’ll need around 200 to 450k to get started, plus a 10% royalty. There’s also a franchise fee, and they do expect you to stick to their systems closely.

• Initial Fee: £47,500
• Total Investment: £200k-£450k
• Ongoing Royalty: Estimated 10% of turnover
• Franchise Size: 50+ locations
• Support: Premises search, nursery design, training, marketing templates
• USP: Family-run, fun brand with tech-enabled nurseries (CCTV, biometrics)
• Restrictions: Must follow systems closely, 5-year renewable term

Banana Moon is known for its supportive family feel. If you want a friendly, modern brand with hands-on guidance and a playful identity, this could be for you.

3. Kiddi Caru (Grandir UK)

Kiddi Caru is a more premium offering and part of the Grandir UK group. This franchise option is relatively new, but the brand itself has been delivering childcare for over 25 years.

Expect high standards, quality facilities, and a strong curriculum. They look for partners who are either experienced or passionate about delivering top-tier childcare.

You’ll get solid training, business planning support, and guidance through Ofsted registration. Ideal if you want a more polished, education-led nursery.

• Initial Fee: £50,000-£75,000
• Total Investment: £200k-£500k
• Ongoing Royalty: Not publicly disclosed (likely ~6-10%)
• Franchise Size: 80+ in wider group, Kiddi Caru is a growing sub-brand
• Support: Business planning, Ofsted registration, EYFS training, local marketing
• USP: Education-focused, premium childcare provider
• Restrictions: High expectations for quality and alignment with brand values

If you’re passionate about high-quality education and want a brand with depth in early years, Kiddi Caru might suit you.

4. Fennies Day Nurseries

Fennies is another premium option, currently operating around 20 nurseries in London, Kent, and Surrey. They recently opened up to franchising, so you could be part of their first wave of franchise partners.

Their nurseries are high-end, with sensory rooms and stunning play spaces. But with that quality comes high expectations. You’ll need strong business experience, attention to detail, and a real commitment to childcare standards.

They offer plenty of support, from site selection to staff training, and ongoing performance reviews. It’s a good option if you want to deliver a premium experience and have the capital to match.

• Initial Fee: £50,000-£75,000
• Total Investment: £250k-£500k
• Ongoing Royalty: Estimated 5-10% of turnover
• Franchise Size: 20+ nurseries, new to franchising
• Support: Design and build, Ofsted help, parent engagement strategies
• USP: Premium experience with high-end facilities and strong brand positioning
• Restrictions: Very selective approval process, high compliance expectations

Fennies is great if you want to operate at the luxury end of childcare and are prepared for a hands-on, high-standard delivery.

All offer strong training, marketing, and setup support. You don’t need to be a childcare expert to start, but you do need passion, capital, and the willingness to follow a system.

You’ll pay an upfront fee, royalties on your income (usually 8-10%), and likely contribute to marketing too. You’ll operate in an exclusive territory, and there’ll be rules on branding, curriculum, and pricing.

If you love the idea of being part of a network and having everything laid out for you, franchising might be a great fit.

Each of these top nursery franchises has its own strengths and considerations. On the screen is a side-by-side comparison table highlighting key factors:

Table: Comparison of key features of top UK nursery franchises (sources cited where available).

As the table shows, all five franchises require a substantial initial investment and charge ongoing royalties in a similar ballpark (around 8-10% of revenue for most). Franchise fees upfront range from roughly £40k to £75k – often reflecting the brand prestige and package. Total investment needed can easily be a few hundred thousand pounds (to cover property refurbishment, equipment, and initial operating costs).

So Which Franchise Is Best?

• For Franchising Experience & Support: Monkey Puzzle
• For a Friendly, Family-Feel Brand: Banana Moon
• For High-End, Premium Delivery: Fennies or Kiddi Caru

Each offers solid support, but each also comes with obligations – royalties, branding rules, and contract terms.

So… What If You Could Have the Support Without the Strings?

Now, if you’ve been watching and thinking, “I love the idea of getting help, but I’m not sure about giving away royalties or following someone else’s rules…”   you’re not alone.

That’s exactly why I created the Complete Mentorship Package.

It’s everything people love about a franchise   expert guidance, templates, Ofsted support, help finding and setting up your nursery, and a clear step-by-step path   but without the franchise fees, branding restrictions, or ongoing royalties.

You get to build something truly your own, at your pace, with your name above the door   while still having someone experienced by your side to help you do it right.

So if you’ve got the drive to open a nursery but want the flexibility to do it your way   and still want that rock-solid support to make it a success   then have a look at the Complete Mentorship Package. I think you’ll see why so many people are choosing this route.

You can learn more at openanursery.co.uk. And if you’ve got any questions, I’m always happy to help.

Thanks for watching   and no matter which route you take, I’m rooting for your success.