Last updated: September 2026. This calculator is for nursery business planning in England and gives a quick estimate only.
Nursery Earnings Calculator UK for nursery income and profit planning
Use this free nursery earnings calculator to get a quick estimate of monthly income, monthly expenses and possible nursery profit based on your planned number of children.
- Estimate nursery income and expenses quickly
- See monthly and yearly profit estimates
- Understand how age mix affects your numbers
- Move from a quick estimate to premium planning tools
Nursery profit calculator
Enter your planned number of children
Add your estimated total number of children. The free calculator will automatically split the numbers by age group and give you a quick income, expense and profit estimate.
You have 3 free calculations before email unlock.
Your quick estimate
Estimated monthly results
This is a quick planning estimate, not a guaranteed profit forecast.
Unlock unlimited free calculations
You have used your 3 free nursery earnings calculations. Enter your email below to continue using this calculator for free.
You will also receive helpful nursery business tips, Ofsted guidance and support for opening or running a nursery. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Your quick nursery income and profit estimate
This result is based on an automatic age split and standard assumptions. Use it as a starting point, then test your real fees, rent, staffing, funding and occupancy before making decisions.
Once you calculate, this box will help you understand whether the result looks comfortable, tight or risky.
£0.00 monthly income
£0.00 monthly income
£0.00 monthly income
Fixed and running costs
Staff costs
This is a quick nursery business estimate, not a full forecast
The free calculator is deliberately simple. It gives you an instant starting point so you can see whether the nursery numbers might be worth exploring in more detail.
Total children
You enter one total child number, rather than building a full room-by-room forecast.
Age split
The calculator automatically estimates a basic age mix across babies, toddlers and pre-school children.
Income estimate
It uses simple monthly fee assumptions to produce a quick estimated revenue figure.
Cost estimate
It adds broad staffing and running-cost assumptions to estimate possible monthly profit.
What changes when you upgrade?
The free calculator is useful for a quick rough estimate. The premium calculator is better when you are actually making decisions around fees, funding, costs and nursery viability.
Quick first estimate
Best if you want an instant idea of possible income, expenses and profit using standard assumptions.
- Total children input
- Automatic age split
- Quick income and profit estimate
Personalised planning
Best if you want to adjust your own fees, costs, age mix and assumptions before making decisions.
- Editable assumptions
- Scenario planning
- More useful for business planning
Toolkit route
Best if you want to connect earnings with funded fees, space, capacity and delivery cost.
- All premium calculators
- Better value than buying separately
- Useful for serious nursery planning
Plan nursery earnings and funded fees together
If your next question is “what should I charge parents?”, the Nursery Fees & Earnings Calculator Bundle gives you the Premium Earnings Calculator and the Premium Funding Fee Calculator together.
What affects nursery profit?
A nursery can look profitable on the surface but become tight once you add staffing, funding restrictions, rent, occupancy and daily operating costs.
Occupancy
Empty places can quickly reduce profit because many nursery costs continue even when the setting is not full.
Age mix
Babies usually need more staff and space per child, so the age mix can affect both income and cost.
Staffing model
Ratios are only the starting point. Breaks, opening hours, SEND, deployment and management cover can all increase staffing cost.
Funding rates
Funded places can be helpful, but you still need to understand whether the funding and your fee structure cover delivery costs.
Rent and premises
A building may have enough space but still be financially weak if rent, rates, works or running costs are too high.
Local fees
Your income depends on what parents will pay in your area and whether your offer is strong enough to justify your fees.
Use these calculators together
Earnings are only one part of the nursery business model. Use the other calculators to test staffing, space, funding and delivery cost.
Funding Fee Calculator
Estimate parent fees after funded hours and compare common funded patterns.
Use the funding calculator →
Cost of Delivery Calculator
Estimate what it may cost to deliver childcare per child per hour.
Use the cost calculator →
Space Requirements Calculator
Estimate the usable indoor space needed for your planned child numbers.
Use the space calculator →
Nursery Ratio Calculator
Work out the minimum number of staff you may need by age group.
Use the ratio calculator →Do not rely on one profit estimate before making big decisions
Before you sign a lease, set your fees or commit to a staffing model, test the numbers properly. A nursery plan should include income, funding, delivery cost, staffing, rent, space, occupancy and your opening strategy.
Bring your calculator results, property details, fees or business model questions to a consultation before making a major decision.
Helpful nursery business planning resources
Nursery Business Plan Template
Put your nursery idea, market research, costs, staffing, fees and financial assumptions into one plan.
Open a Nursery in 6 Months
Learn how to open a nursery step by step, including premises, Ofsted, funding, staffing and marketing.
Nursery Business Mentorship
Get personal support with your nursery planning, property decisions, figures and next steps.
Nursery Earnings Calculator FAQs
Is this nursery earnings calculator free?
Yes. You can use the free nursery earnings calculator for a limited number of calculations. After that, enter your email to unlock unlimited free use on that browser.
Is this the same as a nursery profit calculator?
Yes, it gives a quick nursery profit estimate by comparing estimated monthly income against estimated monthly expenses. It is a planning guide, not a guaranteed forecast.
How does the free calculator estimate nursery income?
The free version uses a simple automatic age split and broad monthly income assumptions. The premium version is better if you want to enter your own fees, costs and scenarios.
Can this calculator tell me exactly how much profit my nursery will make?
No. Your real profit depends on local demand, fees, funding rates, occupancy, rent, staffing, opening hours, running costs, debt, tax and how well the nursery is managed.
What should I use after the earnings calculator?
Use the funding fee calculator if you are setting parent fees, the cost of delivery calculator if you want to understand cost per child per hour and the space/capacity calculator if you are reviewing a building.
Should I buy the premium calculator or a bundle?
Buy the premium earnings calculator if you only want to model income and profit. Choose the Fees & Earnings Bundle if you also want to model funded fees. Choose the Complete Nursery Calculator Toolkit if you want all premium calculators.
Does this calculator replace professional advice?
No. This calculator does not replace accountancy, tax, legal, financial, local authority, funding or Ofsted advice.