To open a nursery, you must make sure your building meets the minimum legal space requirements, the practical room layout requirements, and all health and safety expectations set out by the EYFS and your local authority.

This section will help you understand the space you need per child, what rooms your nursery must have, and what inspectors will expect when visiting your building.

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Minimum Space Requirements (EYFS)

The EYFS requires the following minimum indoor space per child:

• 3.5 m² per child – under 2 years

• 2.5 m² per child – 2-year-olds

• 2.3 m² per child – 3–5-year-olds (not in full-time school)

You cannot go below these legal minimums.
You can always offer more space, which often improves behaviour, reduces noise, and creates a calmer environment, but these minimums must be met.

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Room Layouts You Will Need

Most nurseries will need at least the following rooms or designated areas:

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1. Baby Room (0–2 years)

This must be a calm, safe, nurturing environment with:

• soft flooring and rugs

• a safe sleep area (cots or sleep mats)

• bottle prep area

• baby-safe furnishings

• low lighting options

• space for pushchairs and storage

Babies require high supervision, so you need enough clear space for adults to move around comfortably.

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2. Toddler Room (2–3 years)

This age group is more active, so the room will need:

• open floor space

• zones for messy play, construction, role play and physical play

• toileting or potty-training access

• age-appropriate furniture

• quiet/comfort corner for regulation

The minimum space requirement for this age group is 2.5 m² per child.

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3. Preschool Room (3+ years)

This room often includes:

• writing/mark-making area

• maths and problem-solving resources

• construction and small world

• book/quiet area

• creative table

• science or exploration area

• designated carpet space for group time

Minimum space is 2.3 m² per child.

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4. Outdoor Play

You are not required to have your own outdoor space, but you must ensure children go outside every day.

If you have your own garden or yard:

• this makes free-flow easier

• risk assessments are simpler

• it improves your inspection experience

If you do not have a private garden, you must plan where you will go daily. Options include:

• a local park (walking distance is ideal)

• school fields (if you obtain permission)

• community centre play areas

• nature walks / woodland

• enclosed shared courtyards

You must complete risk assessments for any off-site areas and show Ofsted how outdoor play will be managed safely.

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Toilets & Bathrooms

You must provide appropriate toilet and handwashing facilities.

Key requirements:

• You must have a separate toilet for staff, not used by children.

• Children’s toilets must be accessible and suitable for their age.

• If you use regular-sized toilets, you must provide stools/steps so children can use them independently.

• You must have a designated nappy-changing area.

• Toilet areas must provide privacy (doors or partitions), while still allowing safe supervision.

Flexibility:

There is flexibility in the number of toilets required.
The usual guideline is:

• 1 toilet per 10 children

…but some nurseries operate with slightly more or slightly fewer depending on layout and local authority expectations.
What matters is that:

• children can access toilets quickly

• hygiene is maintained

• supervision is safe

• privacy is provided

Installing toilets?

If you need to install new toilets, it is best to install children’s toilets and use a trusted plumber from websites like:

• Rated People

• Checkatrade

This ensures safe installation and compliance with water and sanitation regulations.

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Kitchen Requirements

A kitchen is essential and must meet environmental health standards.
Your kitchen needs to be:

• clean and easy to sanitise

• equipped with a fridge, freezer, sink and appropriate storage

• safely separated from children’s access

• compliant with food hygiene regulations

• registered with the local authority as a food business

• staffed by someone with Level 2 Food Hygiene (minimum)

The kitchen can be small, but it must be functional and safe.

If your kitchen area is too small to prepare full meals (and is only suitable for storing or reheating food), you can choose to use a nursery meal delivery service. These companies provide hot, nutritionally balanced meals that are delivered daily and simply need heating before serving.

Some examples of companies that offer this include:

• Zebedees

• The Nursery Kitchen

• Hungrytums

These are just examples, as I haven’t personally used any of them.
Always research providers yourself and make sure they meet:

• Food hygiene and safety standards

• Allergen guidance

• Your nursery’s dietary and cultural needs

• Budget requirements

Using a delivery service can be a great option when kitchen space is limited.

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Staff Room / Office

You will need a space for:

• staff breaks

• storing personal belongings

• confidential paperwork

• supervision meetings

• safeguarding discussions

This does not need to be large, but it must be private and separate from children.

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Safety Requirements (Essential)

Your building must meet all necessary safety expectations.
Inspectors will check areas such as:

1. Stairs

• Steep stairs must be risk-assessed

• Babies and toddlers must not access them unsupervised

• Install stair gates where needed

2. Fire Safety

• Fire exits must be clearly marked and unobstructed

• Fire doors should be fitted where required

• Smoke detectors must be installed and regularly tested

• Fire extinguishers must be serviced and accessible

• You must have an evacuation plan

3. Radiator Safety

• Radiator covers are essential to prevent burns

• Exposed metal radiators can get extremely hot

4. Windows

• Good natural light must be accessible

• Windows must have child-safe latches

• Opening windows must be secured to prevent falls

5. General Privacy

• Toilet and changing areas must offer privacy

• Staff and parents must have private spaces for sensitive conversations

Safety standards are one of the first things Ofsted will check.

Nursery Building Size Calculator

Simply input the number of children you hope to have, and the calculator will work out the minimum size of the usable you need.

Number of 0-2 year olds

Number of 2 year olds

Number of 3 - 5 year olds

Minimum space requirements

m2