How to Earn Over £300k a Year Running Your Own Nursery

How to Earn Over £300k a Year Running Your Own Nursery (UK)

Can a Nursery Really Earn £300k a Year?

Imagine being your own boss, running a nursery full of happy children, and taking home over £300,000 in profit each year. Sounds unbelievable, right? 🤯 But stick with me, because I’m going to show you how it’s absolutely possible. In fact, I’ve seen it happen – and I’ve helped others do it too. (Yes, really!)

Hello! If you work in childcare or have ever thought about starting a business in the UK, this is for you. *Demand for quality childcare has never been higher (How to start a nursery business: Key steps 2024 | Swoop UK)】, and that makes now a fantastic time to open a nursery. I know this firsthand: a few years ago I helped my mum open her own nursery, and watching her succeed (both in making a difference for children and making great money) inspired me to help others do the same. Through our “Open Your Nursery in Just 6 Months” course and mentorship program, I’ve guided plenty of ordinary people to become successful nursery owners.

So, can a nursery really earn £300k a year? Absolutely – and I’m about to break down exactly how you could do it. (Hint: it’s all about smart planning, keeping quality high, and filling your places.) Keep watching, because the numbers might surprise you! 👀

How to Reach £838,000 in Yearly Income 💰

Let’s start with the income side of the equation. How on earth can a single nursery bring in almost £838,000 a year? It comes down to enrollment, fees, and hours. Here’s the scenario:

• Capacity: 48 children enrolled full-time (this is a realistic number for a medium-sized nursery).
• Attendance: Each child attends 50 hours a week, for about 51 weeks a year (taking into account a week off for holidays).
• Fee Rates: We charge different hourly rates based on age group (you’ll see why in a moment):
  • 24 Preschoolers (3-4 years old): ~£6.40 per hour, per child
  • 15 Toddlers (2-3 years old): ~£7.05 per hour, per child
  • 9 Babies (0-2 years old): ~£7.70 per hour, per child

Why the different rates? Younger children require more staff attention (there are stricter staff-to-child ratios for babies and toddlers), so nurseries charge a bit more for those age groups. Parents understand this, and these rates are in line with quality childcare in many parts of the UK.

Now, let’s do the math (don’t worry, I’ll keep it simple 😄):

• Each preschooler brings in about £6.40 × 50 hours × 51 weeks ≈ £16,320 per year.
• Each toddler brings in about £7.05 × 50 × 51 ≈ £17,978 per year.
• Each baby brings in about £7.70 × 50 × 51 ≈ £19,635 per year.

Multiply those by the number of children in each group, and the total yearly income comes out to roughly £838,057.50 (about £838k). That’s how much you could bring in with just 48 children at full-time hours.

Pretty amazing, right? And remember, these figures aren’t plucked from thin air; they’re based on real fees and full enrollment. (By the way, imagine if you eventually expanded or opened a second location – the potential could be even higher!) But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Next, we need to talk about the costs of running a nursery, because earning £838k doesn’t mean much if your costs eat it all up. Coming up, I’ll break down the expenses – and spoiler: even after all expenses, there’s still well over £300k left for you. 😉

Where £508k Goes: Expense Breakdown (Investing in Quality)

Now let’s look at where the money goes. These expenses are based on real figures from successful nurseries I’ve helped build

Running a nursery involves significant expenses – you’re taking care of tiny humans, after all! In our model, we’ve estimated total yearly expenses around £508,400. That might sound like a lot, but it covers everything needed to run a high-quality nursery. Let’s break down the key expense areas:

• Staff Salaries: This will be your biggest expense (and rightly so!). We’re talking about paying your Nursery Manager, Deputy Manager, room leaders, and nursery practitioners (staff) who care for the children every day. In our plan, we pay above-average wages to attract and keep the best staff. (Many nursery workers in the UK earn around £9–£12 an hour on a (What’s the average pay for a nursery practitioner at Partou?)7-L64】, and we budget to pay more than that.) Why be generous? Because great staff are the heart of a great nursery. A well-paid, happy team means lower turnover and better care for the children – which keeps parents happy too. We’ve allocated a healthy chunk of our £508k expenses to ensure our team is well compensated. This not only is the right thing to do, but it also helps your business thrive in the long run with a strong reputation.

So, your staffing costs will based on hiring:

• Nursery Manager – £38,000
• Deputy Manager – £34,000
• 3 Room Leaders – £30,000 × 3 = £90,000
• 8 Nursery Practitioners – £27,500 × 8 = £220,000

As well as support staff at £30,000

• Part-time Chef – £15,000
• Part-time Cleaner – £15,000

These costs don’t factor in the cost of national insurance or covering holidays, and the number of staff is based on having 48 children and assuming the deputy manager and manager are not counted in ratios.

The next significant cost will be your rent or mortage.

• Rent (or Mortgage): Unless you already own a building, you’ll likely be renting a suitable space for your nursery. This is another major cost. You need a building with enough room for 48 kids (separate rooms for babies, toddlers, preschoolers), outdoor play space if possible, and it must meet all safety regulations. Rent costs can vary a lot by location – for a medium-sized nursery building, it could be tens of thousands per year. In our £508k budget, a significant slice goes to rent. (If you chose to buy a property, your annual mortgage or loan costs would factor in here instead.)

So the cost of this will vary by area, but £40,000 is a fair estimate for a well-located, spacious nursery building that meets all requirements.

• Utilities, Bills and business rates : Keeping the lights on, the rooms warm, and the water running. You’ll have electricity, heating (important for those chilly UK winters!), water, and possibly business rates or council tax for the property. We’ve included all those in the expense plan. It’s not usually a huge fraction of the budget, but it’s essential (think on the order of thousands per year).
  • Utilities (gas, electric, water) – £5,000
  • Business Rates – £6,000
• Insurance and Compliance: Every nursery needs insurance – public liability, employer’s liability, property insurance, etc. Plus, there are costs for things like Ofsted registration and annual fees, and any legal/accounting help. These are accounted for in the “other costs” portion of our budget. They’re not fun expenses, but they’re non-negotiable for running a safe, legal business.

• This might cost roughly per year £1,200

• Food and Supplies: Little kids can eat a lot and go through supplies quickly! 🍎🖍️ We’ve budgeted for providing healthy meals and snacks for the children, as well as all the supplies like diapers, wipes, cleaning supplies, art materials, toys, books – everything you need for a rich early years environment. This ensures parents get an all-inclusive service (which they love) and kids get the best care. It’s all factored into our costs. (Feeding 48 kids each day adds up – but it’s covered.)  For healthy meals, snacks, nappies, wipes, learning materials, stationery, arts & crafts supplies. You could expect to pay roughly £7,200 per year.
• Marketing: This is one area many new businesses forget. We set aside a solid budget for marketing and advertising. Why? Even the best nursery won’t succeed if parents in your area don’t know about it. We invest in good marketing – for example, designing and distributing eye-catching flyers around local communities, running digital ads on Facebook and Google targeting parents nearby, maybe even hosting open days or events to spread the word. A few thousand pounds a year here can pay back tenfold by keeping your nursery full. (An empty spot in your nursery is lost income, so marketing is key to make sure every spot is filled.) In our £508k expenses, we’ve included a generous marketing budget roughly £15,000 to keep enrolment at 100%.
• Other Costs: Think of things like recruitment, training and development for your staff (to keep quality high) at around £10,000, maintenance or repairs for your building and equipment (kids really put furniture to the test!) at around £3,000, and a cushion for miscellaneous stuff (maybe new toys mid-year, or a festive event for the kids) at around £10,000. We also factored in some professional fees (maybe a part-time bookkeeper or accountant to help with finances). Basically, any other operational costs are bundled in here so we have no surprises.

Whew, that’s a lot of stuff, right? 🤗 But here’s the key: we’ve accounted for everything. That £508,400/year expense estimate is meant to cover all the major costs of running a top-notch nursery, while paying staff really well and providing great service. We’re not cutting corners anywhere.

Now, here’s the part I love: Even after investing in quality like this, the income still far exceeds the expenses. Let’s talk about what’s left over – the part that could be your profit.

The Bottom Line: Over £300k Profit (Yes, Really!)

Time to tally it up! With roughly £838k in income and about £508k in expenses, you’re looking at a profit of around £330,000 per year. 😮 That’s well over £300k in profit for you as the owner. And that, my friend, is the power of a well-run nursery business.

Think about that for a second: even after paying a full staff, covering rent, bills, food, and even spending on marketing, you’d have about £330k left over. That’s not just revenue – that’s money in your pocket before tax (you’d have to pay corporation tax or income tax on profits, of course, but you’d still be very comfortably ahead!).

To put it another way, in this scenario about 39% of all the money coming in is profit. Many established nurseries operate with smaller margins (some around 20-30% profit margin (How To Open A Nursery Business | Rangewell)1†L24-L28】), but here we’ve shown you can achieve much more by running at full capacity and managing smartly. The best part is you’ve done this while doing things the right way – paying staff fairly, maintaining high standards, and delighting parents and kids. 🎉

And with the right support and planning, you can absolutely achieve this.

Now, £300k a year is a life-changing amount of money. It’s far above the average UK salary, and even higher than many doctors or lawyers earn. And you’d be earning it doing something fulfilling, making a positive impact on families. Imagine what that means: you could reinvest some of that profit to grow your business further, reward your staff with bonuses (making them even happier), or simply enjoy an amazing income that provides for your own family’s dreams.

But you might be thinking: “This sounds amazing on paper, but is it really possible for me? Can I actually pull this off?” Those are fair questions. So let’s address that by looking at some real people who have done it, and how we make this opportunity achievable for folks just like you. (Spoiler: With the right support, you can definitely do it too!)

Success Stories: Real People Who Made It Happen

Nothing beats a real-life example to prove that this £300k nursery dream is achievable. I want to share a couple of success stories from people I’ve mentored through the “Open Your Nursery in 6 Months” program – ordinary individuals who went from thinking about it to actually running their own nurseries.

Story 1 – Sarah’s Journey: Sarah was a childcare worker from Manchester. She had over 10 years of experience in daycare settings, but she’d never run a business before. She loved her job but always wondered, “Could I do this on my own, and build something for myself?” When she joined our mentorship, we guided her step-by-step – from finding a suitable building, navigating the Ofsted registration, to figuring out finances and marketing to fill her places. Fast forward: within 6 months, Sarah opened her nursery. 🎊 It wasn’t easy – she worked hard – but now, a year later, her nursery is full with a waiting list! She’s paying her staff great wages, parents rave about her place, and yes, she’s making over six figures in profit already. The first time she realized she was on track for a £300k profit, she told me she literally cried tears of joy. It’s changed her life – she’s even looking at opening a second location next year.

Story 2 – Mark’s Journey: Mark was not originally from the childcare industry at all – he was a project manager in London, tired of the corporate grind and looking for a more meaningful career. He had young twins, which opened his eyes to the world of nurseries and how demand was outstripping supply. With our help, Mark launched a nursery in his town. We connected him with a great experienced nursery manager to hire (since he didn’t have a childcare background himself), and he focused on the business side – getting the premises, securing funding, and marketing the nursery to local parents. It was a big leap for him, but with guidance and determination, he did it in about 7-8 months. Today, Mark’s nursery is thriving – he’s proud to offer a wonderful service to families, and financially, he’s gone from his old salary to now earning well into the six figures from his nursery. He says his favorite part is walking in each morning and seeing the kids playing happily, knowing he built this.

These are just two examples. I’ve seen many others – from experienced nursery teachers who finally took the plunge to start their own business, to parents-turned-entrepreneurs who wanted to create the perfect nursery they wish existed. The common thread? With the right support and a solid plan, they made it happen.

Hearing these stories, I hope you’re starting to think, “Wow, if they could do it, maybe I can too!” Because you can. The people I work with are not billionaires or superhumans – they’re regular folks with a passion for childcare and a willingness to learn. And when things get tough (like dealing with regulations or unexpected challenges), they didn’t give up – they reached out for help, learned from others, and kept going.

You Can Do It Too – Making It Achievable for You

By now, you might be picturing what your own nursery could look like – and that’s fantastic! Let’s talk about how to turn that picture in your head into reality. Yes, you can do this – and you don’t have to figure it all out alone.

First, remember that every successful nursery owner started from square one at some point. Even my mum, who I helped years ago, began with lots of doubts and questions. What made the difference was having the right guidance and a step-by-step plan. That’s exactly why I created the “Open Your Nursery in Just 6 Months” course and mentorship program – to give you the roadmap and support that we wished we had when we were starting out. It’s basically a shortcut through all the trial-and-error, so you can avoid costly mistakes and move forward with confidence.

Think of it like this: opening a nursery is a big project, but it’s absolutely achievable when you break it down into steps – find a great location, get registered and meet all standards, set up your rooms and hire staff, line up your finances, and market to enroll kids. Each of those steps is doable with some know-how. And you’ve got someone (me!) who’s done it before and helped others do it, ready to help you each step of the way.

A lot of people worry about things like bureaucracy or paperwork (hello Ofsted 😉), or whether they’re “business-minded” enough. Here’s the truth: if you’re passionate about childcare and willing to learn, you can pick up the business skills. I’ve seen nursery workers become savvy business owners in a matter of months – they just needed someone to show them the ropes. And for the red tape and regulations, having a mentor who’s been through it is invaluable. It turns those scary forms and inspections into a straightforward checklist of tasks.

Another concern might be money to start. Yes, opening a nursery does require some investment (for rent deposits, renovations, initial supplies, etc.), but there are ways to manage this – from loans and grants to smart budgeting. Many people are surprised to find that with a solid business plan (we help you create that), banks and investors are willing to support new nurseries, because demand is so strong. Remember, as we cited earlier, childcare demand is rising and governments are suppo (How to start a nursery business: Key steps 2024 | Swoop UK) – that’s a promising sign to financiers too. So don’t let the funding side scare you off; it can be handled with the right approach.

Most importantly, I want you to feel excited and empowered. Running your own nursery is hard work, yes, but it’s also incredibly rewarding. You get to shape young children’s early experiences, be a pillar of your community, and build a fulfilling career on your own terms. And in the end, as we’ve shown, you can earn a fantastic income doing it. It’s truly the best of both worlds for someone who loves working with children and also wants financial freedom.

Ready to Start? Here’s How We Can Help (Call to Action)

If you’ve made it this far, something tells me you’re serious about the idea of owning a nursery – or at least super curious! 😃 So, what’s next? I’d love to help you take the next step toward making this a reality.

I offer free initial consultations and resources through my “Open Your Nursery in 6 Months” program. For a non-pushy next step, simply fill out the contact form (you’ll find it linked in the description or on our website). Tell me a bit about yourself and your nursery dream, and we’ll get in touch to see how we can help you. There’s no pressure and no obligation – it’s truly about getting you the info and support you need. Maybe you just need a few tips to get started, or maybe you want a mentor to guide you from start to finish – either way, we’re here for you. 💌

(I’m keeping this casual – it’s an invitation, not a sales pitch. If running a nursery is something you’re passionate about, I really do encourage you to reach out. Sometimes a short chat can clarify your path and spark that “aha!” moment that puts you in motion.)

Remember: every big success story starts with a first step. Filling out that contact form could be your first step toward opening your own nursery and potentially earning £300k a year doing what you love.

Final Thoughts – Your Nursery, Your Future 🌟

I want to leave you with this: Running your own nursery is more than just a profit number. Yes, the money is amazing and can be life-changing – imagine the freedom and opportunities £300k a year could give you and your family. But beyond that, think about the impact you’ll have. Every day, you’ll be helping shape little minds, supporting working parents, and creating a nurturing community. It’s meaningful work that truly matters.

If my mum could do it, if Sarah and Mark and so many others could do it – so can you. It’s achievable with dedication and the right help. Picture yourself a year or two from now: opening the doors of your nursery, hearing laughter and tiny footsteps down the hall, chatting with grateful parents at pickup time, and feeling proud of the safe, loving space you’ve created. And at the end of the year, seeing those financial results and knowing you’ve built something successful for yourself.

That’s the future I want for you, and I’m here to help make it happen. 💖

Thank you so much for watching and spending your time with me today! If you found this valuable or inspiring, please give the video a thumbs up and consider sharing it with anyone else who might be dreaming of starting a nursery. And don’t forget to reach out via the contact form if you’re ready to get started – I can’t wait to hear your story and maybe feature you in our next success story highlight!

You got this. The opportunity is real, the need for great nurseries is growing, and with the right plan in place, over £300k a year could be just the beginning for you. Now, go make your dream happen – and as always, I’m rooting for you every step of the way. 🎉🙌

(See you in the next video, and hopefully, I’ll see your name come through that contact form soon – let’s do this together!)