Nursery Franchise UK - Should I buy a nursery franchise?

Opening a Nursery via a Franchise – An In-Depth Guide 

If you’re thinking about opening a nursery, one of the biggest questions you might be asking is: Should I join a franchise, or go independent? Franchises promise a clear roadmap — branding, training, and a proven model — but what’s the real cost? And is it truly the best way to get started?

In today’s video, I’ll walk you through what franchising really looks like — what you get, what you pay, and what it means for your freedom and profits. Then, I’ll show you a genuine alternative — how you can still get all the support you need, but with more flexibility, more control, and a much lower cost.

Stick around to the end, because I’ll be sharing a clear comparison table and a soft but powerful alternative you might not have considered before. Let’s get into it!

Hi, I’m Curtly Ania, and welcome to the channel Open a Nursery with Me. I help everyday people — whether they’ve worked in childcare for years or are completely new to the industry — open their own nursery settings across the UK.

From planning and building design, to Ofsted inspections and filling your places, I guide people step-by-step through this incredible journey. And today, I want to do the same for you — whether you’re considering a franchise or building something from scratch.

If that’s something you’re interested in, be sure to hit subscribe and check out some of my other videos after this one.

[SECTION 1: WHAT IS FRANCHISING A NURSERY?]
Let’s start by explaining what it actually means to open a nursery through a franchise.

In short: you’re paying to use someone else’s brand. Think of names like Monkey Puzzle, Busy Bees, or Banana Moon. When you franchise with them, you typically pay a franchise fee up front — usually between £20,000 and £50,000 — and then agree to pay ongoing royalties, usually 8–10% of your turnover every month.

On top of that, you still have to cover all the setup costs — finding a property, renovations, equipment, staff, insurance, marketing — just like if you were opening on your own.

So, to launch a franchise nursery, your total investment is usually between £100,000 and £400,000 depending on the size and location.

Franchising can feel reassuring because it gives you access to a tried-and-tested business model. You might also get templates, supplier contacts, and marketing materials. But with that, you also give up a fair bit of flexibility, which we’ll get into next.

[SECTION 2: THE ADVANTAGES OF FRANCHISING]
Franchising wouldn’t be so popular if there weren’t genuine benefits. Here are a few reasons why some people choose it:

✅ Established brand: Families may already recognise the name of the nursery brand, making it easier to build trust.
✅ Systems and training: You often get operations manuals, policy templates, and curriculum materials.
✅ Marketing support: Some franchises run national campaigns and provide local marketing materials.
✅ Peer network: You may become part of a group of franchisees who share knowledge and support one another.

For people who don’t want to figure everything out themselves, these benefits can sound appealing.

But, like anything, it’s not without its challenges — and some of them only become obvious once you’re already in.

[SECTION 3: THE CHALLENGES AND HIDDEN COSTS OF FRANCHISING]
Let’s now talk about what you don’t always hear when you’re looking at franchising.

🔸 The cost – Beyond the franchise fee, you’ll be paying royalties on every pound you make. That’s money that could have gone toward your staff, your facilities, or simply into your own salary.

🔸 Limited control – Want to make your setting bilingual? Or focus on nature-based education? You might be told no. Many franchises have strict rules about branding, curriculum, and even what snacks you serve.

🔸 Supplier restrictions – Some franchises require you to buy from specific suppliers, even if you could get better deals elsewhere.

🔸 Ongoing fees – Renewal fees, transfer fees if you want to sell, marketing contributions — these can quickly add up.

🔸 Your territory is restricted – You can’t just open wherever you want, or expand freely. Your growth is tied to their strategy, not yours.

🔸 Shared reputation – If another franchise location gets bad press, your nursery could be impacted too — even if you’ve done nothing wrong.

Franchising works for some people, but the reality is that you’re always building someone else’s brand. Even though it’s your nursery and your hard work, you don’t own the identity.

[SECTION 4: THE INDEPENDENT PATH — WHY MANY PEOPLE CHOOSE IT]
Now let’s look at the alternative: opening your nursery independently, under your own brand, but with the right support.

This is what many people I work with choose — and here’s why:

✅ You own everything – The brand, the reputation, the direction — all yours.
✅ You choose your approach – From Montessori to play-based learning to outdoor nurseries, it’s your decision.
✅ Lower costs – You don’t pay franchise fees or monthly royalties.
✅ Greater flexibility – Want to open another site nearby or introduce something new? Go for it. No approvals needed.
✅ You grow your name, not someone else’s – That means you build value and reputation for your business.

It does take more planning and guidance — but that’s exactly where mentorship comes in.

[SECTION: GET SUPPORT WITHOUT A FRANCHISE – YOU’RE NOT ALONE]

If you’re thinking about opening your nursery independently but feel unsure where to start — you’re not alone. One of the biggest myths is that franchising is the only way to get reliable support. But in reality, there are several powerful alternatives that give you guidance without the heavy costs or restrictions of a franchise.

Let’s go through some of the most valuable sources of support:

Mentorship Programmes and Consultants:
You don’t have to figure it all out yourself. There are experienced childcare consultants and business mentors — like myself — who can walk you through every stage of setting up and running your nursery. For example, my Opening a Nursery Complete Mentorship Package offers full step-by-step support tailored to your situation, without ongoing royalties or loss of control. It’s like having a franchise coach — but on your terms. From business planning and Ofsted prep to marketing and recruitment, you’ll be supported the whole way. And once the mentorship ends, the nursery is fully yours.

Industry Associations:
Associations like the National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) and PACEY offer fantastic resources, from legal advice and template policies to training and updates on regulations. They also hold events where you can learn, network, and stay ahead in the sector.

Local Authority Support:
Your local council often runs free information sessions for new providers and can even offer funding or grants if there’s a shortage of places in your area. They’ll also support you through the Ofsted process and may provide regulatory checklists to guide you.

Networking with Other Nursery Owners:
There’s a strong online and offline community of nursery owners and early years leaders. Facebook groups, LinkedIn forums, and local networking events are brilliant spaces to connect, ask questions, and learn from others who’ve done it themselves. It’s a support system that’s diverse and built from shared experience — not tied to a single brand.

Self-Education:
These days, there’s a wealth of high-quality content online: blogs, YouTube videos, courses, and books about opening and running nurseries. Many successful owners got started this way — and used tailored mentorship, like mine, to turn general knowledge into specific, confident action.

So no — going independent doesn’t mean going it alone. You just need to choose your support wisely. If you’re leaning toward doing it independently but still want someone in your corner, here’s how I can help you…

[SECTION 5: COMPARISON TABLE – FRANCHISE VS MENTORSHIP PACKAGE]
Let’s take a moment to directly compare the two options:

This isn’t just about cost — it’s about value. With my mentorship package, you keep ownership, freedom, and flexibility, while still having a step-by-step plan and someone guiding you along the way.

[SECTION 6: WHAT’S INCLUDED IN THE COMPLETE MENTORSHIP PACKAGE]
When you choose the Complete Mentorship Package, here’s what you get:

🔹 Step-by-step guidance from idea to opening day
🔹 Help finding and assessing your building
🔹 Support with business planning and budgeting
🔹 Templates for all required documents and policies
🔹 Guidance through Ofsted registration and inspection
🔹 Support with recruitment and safer hiring practices
🔹 Help setting up your learning environment
🔹 Curriculum planning options
🔹 Marketing and launch strategy — including local outreach
🔹 Weekly check-ins and priority access to ask questions
🔹 Ongoing support after you open

This is not a one-size-fits-all approach. It’s a personalised journey, built around you, your vision, and your goals.

[SECTION 7: WHICH PATH IS RIGHT FOR YOU?]
So what do you think?

If you value the comfort of an existing system and are okay with the upfront cost and reduced flexibility, a franchise might suit you. There’s no shame in that.

But if you want to build a nursery that is truly yours — something that reflects your values, your creativity, and your passion — then going independent, with the right support, could be the smarter, more rewarding choice.

This is where my mentorship programme comes in.

[CALL TO ACTION – MENTORSHIP PACKAGE LINK]
If you’re leaning towards the independent path but still want structured support, visit the link on screen now or in the description. It takes you to my Complete Mentorship Package, where you’ll find all the details and next steps.

You don’t need to do it alone. I’ll be there to guide you from start to finish — just like I’ve done for so many others.

Thanks so much for watching. Let me know in the comments: Are you thinking about franchising? Or are you considering doing it yourself? I’d love to hear your thoughts.

And don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell if you want more videos like this. See you in the next one!