Download Your Free Nursery Business Plan Template
Planning to open a nursery? Use this free nursery business plan template to start organising your ideas, costs, services, staffing plans, marketing and financial projections.
Enter your details and download the template below. It is a starting point to help you think through your nursery idea properly before you spend money, sign a lease or begin your application.
Get the free template
Add your name and email below and the free nursery business plan template will be sent to you.
Get your nursery idea out of your head and into a clear written plan.
Think through your costs, staffing, premises, services and marketing before you commit.
Use the plan as a foundation for funding, Ofsted preparation and business decisions.
A simple nursery business plan template to help you get started
A lot of people want to open a nursery but do not know how to organise their plans. This template gives you a structure to follow so you can begin thinking properly about your nursery, your market, your costs and how the business may work.
It is not there to make everything perfect straight away. It is there to help you start asking the right questions and building a clearer plan.
- Write down your nursery idea and target customers
- Think about your local area and demand
- Plan your services, rooms and age groups
- Start considering costs, income and funding
- Prepare before speaking to landlords, investors or lenders
What should a nursery business plan include?
A strong nursery business plan should help you explain what you want to open, who it is for, how it will operate, how it will make money and what makes it realistic.
A short overview of your nursery idea, your aims and what you are trying to build.
Explain the type of nursery you want to open, your age groups, opening hours and services.
Think about local demand, competition, parents, fees and why families may choose you.
Consider the type of building, space, layout, outdoor access and Ofsted suitability.
Plan who you may need, ratios, management, qualifications and early staffing costs.
Work out how parents will find you, trust you and enquire before your nursery opens.
Start thinking about income, fees, funding, rent, wages and start-up costs.
Turn your idea into clear next steps so you know what to focus on first.
How to use your free nursery business plan template
Download the template
Enter your details above and download the free nursery business plan template.
Fill it in roughly first
Do not worry about perfect answers. Start with what you know and leave gaps where needed.
Improve it as you plan
Come back to it as you learn more about premises, costs, staffing, funding and Ofsted.
Why you should create a nursery business plan before opening
Opening a nursery can be exciting, but it can also become expensive very quickly. A business plan helps you slow down and look at the important parts of the business before you make big commitments.
It can help you think about whether your nursery idea is realistic, how many children you may need, what your costs might be and what you need to do next.
A nursery business plan can help with:
- Explaining your nursery idea clearly
- Preparing for funding or finance conversations
- Planning your start-up costs and ongoing costs
- Thinking about staffing and ratios
- Understanding your local market
- Deciding whether the nursery is financially realistic
Want help turning your plan into a real nursery?
The free template is a great starting point, but the full course gives you the step-by-step guidance, documents and planning support you need to open your nursery with more confidence.
Other tools and resources to help you plan
After downloading your free nursery business plan template, these tools can help you work through the numbers and practical planning.
Nursery Earnings Calculator
Estimate nursery income, expenses and profit to check whether your plan looks realistic.
Use the earnings calculatorOfsted Space Calculator
Work out the minimum usable indoor space you may need for the number of children.
Use the space calculatorNursery Ratio Calculator
Work out the minimum number of staff you may need based on children’s ages.
Use the ratio calculatorNursery Documents
Access nursery policies, templates and documents to support your setup.
View nursery documentsConsultation Calls
Talk through your nursery plans, property, Ofsted questions or next steps.
Book a consultationOpen a Nursery Course
Follow a structured course that helps you plan, register and open your nursery.
View the courseFree Nursery Business Plan Template FAQs
Is the nursery business plan template free?
Yes. Enter your name and email above and you can download the free nursery business plan template.
Who is this business plan template for?
It is mainly for people planning to open a nursery, pre-school or early years setting in the UK. It can also help existing providers who want to organise their plans more clearly.
Can I use this template for funding or a loan application?
You can use it as a starting point, but you should make sure your final business plan is detailed, accurate and tailored to your own nursery, costs, area and funding requirements.
Will this template tell me if my nursery will make money?
No. The template helps you structure your plan, but you still need to work out your own figures. You can use the nursery earnings calculator on this site to help estimate income, costs and profit.
Do I need a business plan before applying to Ofsted?
Ofsted will not usually ask for a traditional business plan in the same way a lender might, but planning your business properly can help you make better decisions about premises, staffing, fees, funding and operations.
Ready to start planning your nursery?
Download the free nursery business plan template and begin turning your idea into a clearer plan.