The Top UK Nursery Franchises
Which one is best?
Opening a nursery franchise can be an exciting route into the childcare sector. You get an established brand, proven business model, and hands-on support to help you set up and grow.
But with these benefits come commitments—substantial startup costs, ongoing royalties, and contractual obligations you’ll need to understand before you decide.
Below, I’ll break down five of the most recognised UK nursery franchises, showing their fees, support, and unique selling points so you can compare them side by side.
(Note: All figures are approximate. Always request the latest franchise prospectus for up-to-date information.)
What Do You Get with a Nursery Franchise?
Here’s what most reputable childcare franchises offer:
✅ Brand Recognition – Instant credibility with parents who know the name.
✅ Training & Support – Help with operations, Ofsted compliance, marketing, and staffing.
✅ Proven Systems – Policies, curriculum plans, and processes you don’t have to create from scratch.
✅ National Marketing – Centralised campaigns that help build awareness.
✅ Peer Network – A community of fellow franchisees to share ideas and encouragement.
In return, you’ll pay:
An initial franchise fee (to buy the licence and support package).
A percentage of your revenue as royalties, often 5–10%.
Possibly extra marketing contributions or setup fees.
Let’s look at each brand in detail.
Monkey Puzzle Day Nurseries
Initial Fee: £40,000 + VAT
Total Investment: ~£550,000–£650,000
Ongoing Royalty: 8% of turnover (plus VAT)
Franchise Size: 70+ locations
Support: Property acquisition, design, training, policies, marketing, business reviews
USP: The UK’s largest nursery franchise, first to franchise full-day childcare
Restrictions: You must employ a qualified nursery manager if you don’t have relevant experience
Overview:
Monkey Puzzle is the most established name in UK nursery franchising. You get robust help with finding a site, setting it up, hiring staff, and launching your business. The brand has a strong reputation and has won multiple franchise awards.
Banana Moon Day Nurseries
Initial Fee: £47,500
Total Investment: ~£200,000–£450,000
Ongoing Royalty: Estimated 10% of turnover
Franchise Size: 50+ locations
Support: Property search, design, training, marketing templates, recruitment
USP: Family-run, tech-focused nurseries with a friendly ethos
Restrictions: 5-year contract terms with strict operational standards
Overview:
Banana Moon is known for its “fun and friendly” feel and innovative nursery features like CCTV and biometric entry. They provide strong training and ongoing support, making this a good option if you want a family-focused brand and modern facilities.
Kiddi Caru (Grandir UK)
Initial Fee: £50,000–£75,000
Total Investment: ~£200,000–£500,000
Ongoing Royalty: Estimated 6–10% of turnover
Franchise Size: 80+ nurseries in wider group
Support: Business planning, Ofsted registration, EYFS training, marketing support
USP: Education-focused, premium childcare provider
Restrictions: High quality standards and selective approval process
Overview:
Kiddi Caru has a strong reputation for premium early years education. As part of Grandir UK, it combines experience and brand recognition. Ideal for investors who value quality and want to deliver a high-end childcare experience.
Fennies Day Nurseries
Initial Fee: £50,000–£75,000
Total Investment: ~£250,000–£500,000
Ongoing Royalty: Estimated 5–10% of turnover
Franchise Size: 20+ locations, expanding via franchising
Support: Site design, staff training, operations, marketing
USP: Premium nurseries with outstanding facilities and a strong brand in the South East
Restrictions: Selective about franchisee backgrounds and territories
Overview:
Fennies positions itself as a luxury nursery brand. You’ll need to be hands-on and committed to maintaining high standards, but in return, you get comprehensive support and the ability to charge premium fees to parents.
Busy Bees Group
Initial Fee: Estimated £30,000–£60,000
Total Investment: ~£250,000–£800,000
Ongoing Royalty: ~5–8% of turnover + 2% marketing fee
Franchise Size: 380+ UK nurseries, 900+ globally
Support: Extensive training, property help, national marketing, quality reviews
USP: The largest childcare brand in the UK, with unmatched scale and recognition
Restrictions: Very structured systems with less flexibility
Overview:
Busy Bees is the most recognised name in UK childcare. As a franchisee, you plug into a massive support network and benefit from the brand’s credibility. However, you must be prepared to follow their established systems closely.
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Comparing the Options
Here’s how they stack up at a glance:
| Franchise | Initial Fee | Total Investment | Ongoing Royalty | Franchise Size | USP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monkey Puzzle | £40,000 + VAT | ~£550k–£650k | 8% + VAT | 70+ | Largest UK network, established model |
| Banana Moon | £47,500 | ~£200k–£450k | ~10% | 50+ | Family-run, tech-enabled |
| Kiddi Caru | £50k–£75k | ~£200k–£500k | ~6–10% | 80+ (group) | Education-focused, premium quality |
| Fennies | £50k–£75k | ~£250k–£500k | ~5–10% | 20+ | Luxury facilities, selective entry |
| Busy Bees | ~£30k–£60k | ~£250k–£800k | ~5–8% + 2% marketing | 900+ globally | Most recognised brand |
Which One Is Best?
There’s no universal answer—it depends on your goals, experience, and budget:
✅ If you want maximum brand power: Busy Bees stands out.
✅ If you value a family-run feel: Banana Moon could be appealing.
✅ If you prefer a proven franchise model: Monkey Puzzle has depth of experience.
✅ If you want a premium approach: Fennies and Kiddi Caru offer high-end positioning.
Remember, all franchises will expect you to follow their systems, pay ongoing fees, and deliver a consistent experience.
Considering Going Independent?
Franchising can be a fantastic way to get started, but it isn’t for everyone. Some nursery owners prefer to build their own brand and retain all profits without paying royalties.
If you still want step-by-step help—like property support, policy templates, marketing strategies, and Ofsted preparation—but don’t want to give up control, an independent path with expert mentorship might be your ideal middle ground.
That’s why I created my Complete Mentorship Package. You get the same kind of training and guidance as a franchise but with no long-term commitments or revenue share.
You can learn more about it here:
Let’s take a moment to directly compare the two options:
Feature | Complete Mentorship Package | Franchising |
Documents Needed to Open | ✅ Included | ✅ Included |
Help Finding a Building | ✅ Yes | ❌ Usually not included |
Regular Progress Meetings | ✅ Yes | ❌ Rarely provided |
Recruitment Help | ✅ Included | ❌ Not usually included |
Control of Brand | ✅ 100% yours | ❌ Limited |
Control of Operations | ✅ Full control | ❌ Follow strict systems |
Personal Support | ✅ 1-on-1 coaching | ❌ Often none after setup |
Upfront Cost | £6,995 (or 6 x £1275) | £50,000+ |
Ongoing Share | 3% of profits | 8–10% of turnover |
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.
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.
Ready to Explore Your Options?
Whether you choose a franchise or your own path, make sure you do your due diligence, speak to existing owners, and weigh up your options carefully.
Whichever route you take, I wish you all the success as you build your dream nursery and make a difference in your community.