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The Complete Guide to Valuing a Nursery Business in the UK: Expert Methods, Metrics and Market Insights

Understanding the true value of a nursery business is critical whether you’re preparing to sell, seeking investment, planning succession, or simply benchmarking your business’s worth. The nursery sector presents unique valuation challenges that differ significantly from other commercial enterprises, requiring specialist knowledge of early years funding mechanisms, regulatory requirements, and sector-specific market dynamics.
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Table of Contents

This comprehensive guide walks you through the technical aspects of nursery business valuation, equipping you with the knowledge to assess your business accurately and make informed decisions about its future.

Understanding Nursery Business Valuation Fundamentals

Why Accurate Valuation Matters

An accurate valuation serves multiple critical purposes:

  • For sellers: Ensures you achieve fair market value and don’t undersell your business
  • For buyers: Prevents overpayment and supports financing applications
  • For lenders: Banks base lending decisions on robust valuations, with different lending criteria for freehold versus leasehold premises
  • For strategic planning: Understanding your business’s worth informs expansion, investment, and exit strategy decisions

The current market environment makes accurate valuation particularly important. Research reveals that 199 nurseries closed between September 2023 and the start of the 2024 academic year, highlighting the financial pressures facing the sector and the importance of understanding sustainable business values.

The Three Core Components of Nursery Valuations

A nursery’s value comprises fixed assets, goodwill, and property (if owned). Each component requires separate assessment and contributes differently to the overall valuation.

1. Fixed Assets

Fixed assets include all tangible items owned by the business:

  • Furniture and fittings designed for early years use
  • Educational resources, toys, and learning materials
  • Kitchen equipment and catering supplies
  • IT systems and administrative equipment
  • Outdoor play equipment and safety surfacing
  • Vehicles (if owned by the business)

Fixed asset values can be obtained from your most recent full accounts, though depreciation and replacement costs should be considered. A comprehensive inventory is essential, as nursery equipment can run into many pages and represents significant capital investment.

2. Goodwill

Goodwill represents the intangible value of your business – the premium a buyer pays above the tangible assets for the established business’s earning potential. This includes:

  • Established reputation and brand recognition
  • Customer base and
  • Staff team and their qualifications
  • Operational systems and processes
  • Market position and competitive advantages
  • Ofsted ratings and quality indicators

Goodwill is typically the most significant component of value in nursery transactions and the most complex to calculate accurately.

3. Property Value (Freehold Only)

For nurseries operating from freehold premises, the property value forms a substantial part of the overall valuation. However, it’s important to understand that the freehold property is appraised based on its use as a children’s nursery rather than as residential property, even if it operates from a converted house.

Financial Metrics and Earnings Multipliers

The financial performance of your nursery is the single most critical factor in determining business value. Profit is measured as annual earnings before interest and tax, commonly referred to as EBIT.

Understanding EBIT and EBITDA

EBIT (Earnings Before Interest and Tax) provides a clear picture of operational profitability by excluding financial structure costs and taxation.

EBITDA (Earnings Before Interest, Tax, Depreciation and Amortisation) goes further by adding back non-cash expenses, providing a measure of cash-generating capability.

When calculating these figures for valuation purposes, several adjustments are typically made:

  • Owner’s remuneration adjusted to market rate
  • One-off, non-recurring expenses removed
  • Personal expenses not related to business operations excluded
  • Below-market or inflated costs normalised

Current Market Multipliers

Market multipliers vary significantly based on property tenure. Current market conditions see leased premises valued at multiples of 1.25 to 2.5 times EBIT, whilst freehold premises command multiples of 4.5 to 6.25 times EBIT.

Example Calculation:

A freehold nursery generating £50,000 annual EBIT would typically be valued between:

  • Lower range: £50,000 × 4.5 = £225,000
  • Upper range: £50,000 × 6.25 = £312,500

For leasehold premises with the same earnings:

  • Lower range: £50,000 × 1.25 = £62,500
  • Upper range: £50,000 × 2.5 = £125,000

The significant difference reflects the added security and value of property ownership, as well as the fact that banks will lend up to 75% against freehold nursery premises but rarely over 50% for leasehold acquisitions.

Factors Affecting Your Multiple

The specific multiple applied to your nursery depends on several factors:

Higher multiples are achieved by:

  • Larger nurseries with higher capacity (typically 60+ places)
  • Purpose-built premises with optimal layouts
  • Consistent profitability with strong growth trends
  • Prime locations with high demand demographics
  • Strong management teams not dependent on the owner
  • Excellent Ofsted ratings (Outstanding commands a premium)
  • Long, secure leases (25+ years remaining)
  • Diversified income streams beyond government funding

Lower multiples apply to:

  • Small settings (under 50 places)
  • Converted premises requiring significant adaptation
  • Heavy dependence on government-funded places
  • Short remaining lease terms (under 5 years)
  • High staff turnover or recruitment challenges
  • Locations in areas of deprivation with funding pressures
  • Recent regulatory issues or substandard Ofsted ratings
  • Owner-dependent operations

Property Considerations: Freehold vs. Leasehold vs. Licensed Premises

Property tenure has a dramatic impact on nursery business valuation, affecting not only the asking price but also the pool of potential buyers and financing options available.

Freehold Properties

Freehold ownership gives nursery operators exclusive occupation of premises, offering long-term security and the potential to alter or extend the facility. This significantly enhances overall business value.

Advantages for valuation:

  • Substantially higher earnings multiples (4.5-6.25x vs 1.25-2.5x)
  • Greater bank lending capacity (up to 75% of value)
  • Wider pool of potential buyers
  • Property appreciation potential alongside business value
  • Flexibility to adapt and expand premises
  • No landlord restrictions or rent review concerns

Considerations:

  • Valuation reflects commercial nursery use, not residential potential
  • Property condition and maintenance requirements impact value
  • Planning permissions and change of use considerations
  • Business rates obligations

Leasehold Properties

Leasehold arrangements limit occupation rights to a specific term. The value attributed depends heavily on lease terms, including remaining duration, rent review provisions, repair obligations, and landlord cooperation.

Value-enhancing lease features:

  • Long remaining term (15+ years, ideally 25+)
  • Fixed rent or favourable review provisions
  • Full repairing and insuring (FRI) terms with reasonable obligations
  • Security of tenure under the Landlord and Tenant Act
  • Rights to assign the lease without unreasonable landlord refusal
  • Options to renew or break with adequate notice

Value-diminishing lease features:

  • Short remaining term (under 5 years)
  • Frequent or uncapped rent reviews
  • Onerous repair and maintenance obligations
  • Restrictive use clauses or change of control provisions
  • Difficult landlord relationships
  • Lack of security of tenure

Licensed Premises

Some nurseries operate under licence agreements rather than leases, typically in community buildings, schools, or church halls. The temporary and restrictive nature of licence agreements significantly reduces overall business value.

Licenses typically:

  • Offer no security of tenure
  • Can be terminated with relatively short notice
  • Provide limited rights and significant restrictions
  • Result in substantially lower valuations
  • Limit buyer interest and financing options

Calculating Goodwill and Intangible Assets

Goodwill represents the premium paid for an established, operational business over its tangible assets. For nurseries, goodwill calculation involves several methodologies.

Net Profit Multiple Method

This method applies a multiple to the net profit the nursery generates, typically using a weighted average of recent years’ performance to smooth fluctuations.

Weighted Average Calculation:

Year 3 (most recent): £60,000 profit × 3 = £180,000
Year 2: £55,000 profit × 2 = £110,000
Year 1 (oldest): £50,000 profit × 1 = £50,000
Total = £340,000 ÷ 6 = £56,667 weighted average profit

This weighted average gives more importance to recent performance, reflecting current business trajectory.

EBITDA Multiple Method

EBITDA multiples provide another common approach to goodwill valuation. This method is particularly useful as it excludes capital structure differences between businesses.

When using EBITDA, ensure you:

  • Calculate a sustainable, normalised EBITDA figure
  • Remove owner-specific costs and benefits
  • Account for one-off events or expenses
  • Consider market conditions at valuation date

Gross Turnover Multiple Method

Some valuations use turnover multiples, though this is less common for nurseries as it doesn’t reflect profitability variations. Industry-specific turnover multiples are typically quite low (generally under 1x) and work best as a sense-check alongside profit-based methods.

Factors Influencing Goodwill Value

Reputation and Brand:

  • Ofsted rating (Outstanding, Good, Requires Improvement, Inadequate)
  • Online reviews and parent satisfaction ratings
  • Local market reputation and word-of-mouth recommendations
  • Years established in the community
  • Brand recognition and marketing presence

Customer Base:

  • Total registered children and occupancy rates
  • Waiting list length and strength
  • Balance between funded and private fee-paying places
  • Contract types and notice periods
  • Customer retention rates and loyalty

Workforce Quality:

  • Staff qualifications and experience levels
  • Staff retention rates and turnover statistics
  • Management team capability and depth
  • Staff wage levels, with group-based providers averaging £12.25 per hour compared to school-based providers at £17.95 per hour
  • Training and development programmes
  • Succession planning for key roles

Operational Systems:

  • Quality of policies, procedures, and documentation
  • IT systems and management software
  • Financial management and reporting systems
  • Curriculum planning and child development tracking
  • Efficiency of day-to-day operations

Planning to sell?

Our comprehensive guide on preparing your nursery for sale will help you maximise your business value.

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Location and Market Demographics

Location significantly influences nursery valuations, affecting both demand levels and achievable fee rates.

Prime Location Characteristics

Nurseries in prime locations – such as city centres or near major employers like hospitals – can typically charge higher fees, therefore attracting the highest valuations.

High-value location factors:

  • Proximity to major employment centres
  • Areas with high concentrations of young families
  • Good transport links and accessibility
  • Affluent residential areas with higher disposable incomes
  • Growing population demographics
  • Limited existing nursery provision (undersupply)
  • Safe, desirable neighbourhoods
  • Proximity to good schools

Understanding Local Market Dynamics

The latest Department for Education data shows there are now 1,602,500 registered childcare places in England, up from 1,558,1000 in 2023. However, supply doesn’t always match demand geographically.

Market research should include:

  • Local birth rates and population projections
  • Number and capacity of competing nurseries within 5-mile radius
  • Socioeconomic profile of the catchment area
  • Employment rates and types of employment
  • Housing developments and population growth trends
  • Local authority funding rates for your area

The geographical funding disparities are significant. Some local authorities receive rates as low as £5.47 for three and four-year-olds, whilst others receive substantially more. This directly impacts nursery profitability and, therefore, valuation.

Deprivation and Funding Dependency

Research shows that just under four in ten nursery closures occurred in the 30% most deprived areas, including parts of London, Birmingham, Liverpool, and Leeds. Nurseries in these areas typically:

  • Depend more heavily on government funding
  • Receive lower private fee income
  • Face greater financial pressure
  • Command lower valuations due to sustainability concerns

Parking and Access

Practical considerations matter significantly:

  • Adequate car parking for drop-off and collection
  • Safe access routes for pedestrians
  • Visibility from main roads
  • Public transport accessibility
  • Traffic flow and congestion patterns during peak times

Operational Factors That Impact Value

Beyond location and financials, operational characteristics substantially influence nursery valuations.

Capacity and Occupancy

Registered Capacity: The number of places your nursery is registered for sets the upper limit on potential income. Purpose-built nurseries with optimal space utilisation are valued more highly than converted premises with inefficient layouts.

Larger nurseries generally command premium valuations. Settings with over 60 places tend to be operationally more efficient, a factor that applies equally to purpose-built nurseries.

Current Occupancy: Average occupancy rates across the sector stand at approximately 70-75%. Higher occupancy rates demonstrate:

  • Strong local demand
  • Effective marketing and reputation
  • Quality provision that retains families
  • Efficient operations
  • Income stability

Room for Growth: Buyers pay premiums for nurseries with capacity to increase occupancy or expand physically, representing built-in growth potential.

Staffing Structure

Your staffing model directly affects both operational costs and service quality.

Key staffing considerations:

  • Ratio of qualified to unqualified staff
  • Management structure and depth
  • Staff retention rates (turnover in group-based providers averages 16%)
  • Wage levels relative to sector averages
  • Use of apprentices, which increased by 17% to 30,500 in 2024
  • Owner/manager dependency
  • Succession planning

High staff turnover indicates underlying issues that will concern buyers. A stable, well-qualified team adds significant value.

Age Range and Service Offering

Diversified provision across age ranges reduces risk and maximises facility utilisation:

  • Under-twos: Highest staffing ratios (1:3) but command premium fees and receive higher government funding rates (£11.22 average to local authorities)
  • Two-year-olds: Beneficial staffing ratios (1:4) with targeted government funding
  • Three and four-year-olds: Universal funding entitlement but lower staffing ratios required (1:8 for qualified staff)

Additional services enhance value:

  • Wraparound care (breakfast clubs, after-school provision)
  • Holiday clubs
  • SEND provision and specialist support
  • Additional activities (language classes, music, sports coaching)
  • Flexible booking options

Financial Management

Strong financial controls and transparent reporting enhance buyer confidence:

  • Up-to-date, well-maintained accounts
  • Clear management accounts and KPIs
  • Regular budgeting and variance analysis
  • Strong debtor management and low bad debt
  • Efficient cost control without compromising quality
  • Clear audit trail and financial procedures

Regulatory and Quality Indicators

Regulatory compliance and quality ratings significantly impact nursery valuations.

Ofsted Ratings

Your Ofsted rating is perhaps the single most visible quality indicator. As of 31 March 2024, 97% of childcare providers were judged good or outstanding at their most recent inspection.

Rating impact on value:

  • Outstanding: Commands significant premium, demonstrates excellence across all areas, strong marketing advantage
  • Good: Market standard, supports solid valuation with no concerns
  • Requires Improvement: Raises buyer concerns, typically results in valuation discount, adds transaction risk
  • Inadequate: Severely impacts value, often makes businesses unsaleable until rating improves

Time since last inspection matters, as does the trend if you’ve been inspected multiple times. An improving trajectory (from Good to Outstanding) adds value, whilst any downgrade raises red flags.

Compliance History

Beyond Ofsted ratings, compliance history affects perceived risk:

  • Safeguarding record
  • Health and safety incidents
  • Staff qualification compliance
  • Regulatory notifications and outcomes
  • Local authority monitoring reports
  • Any enforcement actions or conditions

Clean compliance records support valuations, whilst issues require disclosure and typically reduce value.

Space Standards and Facilities

Your premises must meet Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) requirements:

  • Adequate indoor space per child (3.5m² for under-twos, 2.5m² for twos and over)
  • Appropriate outdoor provision
  • Suitable facilities for different age groups
  • Adequate toilet and nappy changing facilities
  • Appropriate sleeping arrangements
  • Suitable food preparation areas

Purpose-built facilities designed to exceed minimum standards command premium valuations compared to settings that merely meet requirements.

Current UK Nursery Market Conditions

Understanding the current market environment is essential for realistic valuations.

Sector Challenges

The nursery sector faces significant headwinds that impact business values:

Funding Pressures: The average funding rate for three and four-year-olds increased by just 4.6% for 2024-25, whilst the National Living Wage rose by around 10%. This funding gap squeezes profit margins, particularly for nurseries heavily dependent on government-funded places.

Closures and Consolidation: The sector continues to see closures despite the need for expansion, with 199 nurseries forced to close between September 2023 and the start of the 2024 academic year. This represents market instability that affects buyer confidence.

Recruitment Challenges: Staff shortages persist across the sector, compounding operational pressures. Wages in the early years sector lag behind education settings, making recruitment and retention ongoing challenges.

Rising Costs:

  • National Insurance contribution increases
  • National Living Wage increases
  • Energy and food cost inflation
  • Insurance premium increases
  • Business rates obligations

Market Opportunities

Despite challenges, opportunities exist:

Demand Growth: Registered childcare places increased by 3% to 1,602,500 in 2024, reflecting underlying demand driven by expanded government entitlements.

Consolidation by Larger Groups: The proportion of group-based providers that are part of a chain has increased from 33% to 34%, indicating ongoing appetite for acquisitions among established operators.

Government Expansion: The extension of funded hours to children from nine months creates opportunities for nurseries capable of delivering expanded provision.

Quality Premium: With 97% of providers rated good or outstanding, the bar for quality is high, but truly exceptional settings can command significant premiums.

Transaction Activity

The market remains active despite challenges, with specialist buyers including:

  • Private equity-backed nursery groups
  • Regional and national nursery chains
  • Individual owner-operators seeking to acquire
  • Management buyouts from within existing settings
  • New entrants to the market (though less common given complexities)

Step-by-Step Valuation Process

Conducting a thorough nursery valuation requires systematic analysis across multiple dimensions.

Step 1: Gather Financial Information (3-5 Years)

Compile comprehensive financial data:

  • Full statutory accounts for the last 3-5 years
  • Management accounts for the current year
  • Detailed profit and loss statements
  • Balance sheets showing assets and liabilities
  • Cash flow statements
  • Aged debtor and creditor listings
  • Fixed asset register with depreciation schedules

Step 2: Calculate Sustainable Earnings

Determine normalised, sustainable profit:

  1. Start with most recent year’s operating profit
  2. Add back: Owner’s remuneration (if above market rate)
  3. Add back: Personal expenses run through the business
  4. Add back: One-off, non-recurring expenses
  5. Add back: Depreciation and amortisation (for EBITDA)
  6. Subtract: Market-rate manager salary (if owner is integral to operations)
  7. Adjust: Any below-market costs to realistic rates

Calculate weighted average if using multiple years’ data to reflect business trajectory.

Step 3: Determine Appropriate Multiplier

Select earnings multiple based on:

  • Property tenure (freehold vs leasehold)
  • Remaining lease term (if applicable)
  • Business size and capacity
  • Location and market strength
  • Quality of premises
  • Ofsted rating
  • Financial trajectory
  • Market conditions

Apply current market ranges (1.25-2.5x for leasehold, 4.5-6.25x for freehold) adjusting within the range based on specific circumstances.

Step 4: Value Fixed Assets

Itemise all business assets:

  • Furniture and equipment (current replacement cost less depreciation)
  • IT systems and software
  • Educational resources
  • Kitchen and catering equipment
  • Outdoor equipment
  • Vehicles
  • Stock of consumables

Use realistic current values, not book values which may be heavily depreciated.

Step 5: Value Property (Freehold Only)

For freehold nurseries, obtain:

  • Recent RICS Red Book valuation based on commercial nursery use
  • Assessment of property condition
  • Consideration of development potential
  • Planning status and any restrictions

Remember that the freehold multiple typically encompasses goodwill, fixtures and fittings, and the property in its commercial use, so avoid double-counting.

Step 6: Consider Market Comparables

Research recent transactions:

  • Similar-sized nurseries in your region
  • Comparable Ofsted ratings
  • Similar property tenure arrangements
  • Recent market trends and conditions

Adjust comparable values for differences in size, location, quality, and timing.

Step 7: Apply Reality Checks

Validate your valuation:

  • Bank lending capacity (what will lenders actually finance?)
  • Payback period for typical buyer (reasonable ROI?)
  • Price per place benchmarks
  • Turnover multiples as sanity check
  • Market absorption – is there buyer demand at this price?

Step 8: Document Your Valuation

Prepare comprehensive valuation documentation:

  • Summary of methodology and assumptions
  • Financial analysis and calculations
  • Property assessment (if applicable)
  • Market context and comparables
  • Risk factors and sensitivities
  • Supporting evidence and documentation

Common Valuation Pitfalls to Avoid

Understanding common mistakes helps you avoid overvaluing or undervaluing your nursery.

Emotional Attachment

Many nursery owners value their business based on the effort they’ve invested, but the business will only achieve the value that the market is prepared to pay. Your hard work, emotional investment, and personal connection don’t directly translate to monetary value.

Overestimating Potential

Buyers value actual performance, not promises of future growth. Whilst growth potential has some value, it’s heavily discounted compared to proven, sustainable earnings. Focus your valuation on demonstrable track record.

Ignoring Market Conditions

Valuations are time-sensitive and market-dependent. What worked two years ago may not reflect current reality. Stay informed about:

  • Recent transaction prices in your area
  • Current lending environment
  • Sector-specific challenges and opportunities
  • Buyer appetite and competition levels

Property Valuation Errors

Common property-related mistakes include:

  • Valuing converted residential properties at residential rates
  • Failing to account for short lease terms
  • Overlooking onerous lease conditions
  • Ignoring necessary capital expenditure on premises
  • Assuming change of use will be straightforward

Inadequate Financial Normalisation

Failing to properly adjust financials leads to inaccurate valuations:

  • Not removing one-off costs or income
  • Failing to adjust owner remuneration to market rates
  • Ignoring depreciation policies that distort true earnings
  • Not accounting for deferred maintenance
  • Overlooking working capital requirements

Choosing the Wrong Multiple

Applying inappropriate earnings multiples is perhaps the most common technical error. Ensure you:

  • Use current market multiples, not outdated figures
  • Select multiples appropriate to your property tenure
  • Adjust for business-specific factors
  • Consider the range, not just the top of the market
  • Account for genuine risk factors

When to Seek Professional Valuation Services

Whilst understanding valuation principles is valuable for all nursery owners, professional valuation services are advisable in specific circumstances.

Formal RICS Valuations

A RICS (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors) Valuation involves detailed analysis of turnover, wage costs, and other factors to arrive at sustainable profit in the hands of a reasonably efficient operator.

When you need a formal RICS valuation:

  • Preparing to market your business for sale
  • Obtaining business finance or refinancing
  • Partnership disputes or buyouts
  • Divorce settlements
  • Tax purposes (Capital Gains Tax, Inheritance Tax)
  • Legal proceedings
  • Financial reporting requirements
  • Securing investor capital

Market Appraisals

A market appraisal provides a verbal opinion of the asking price achievable in the market with a view to potentially selling. These are typically provided by specialist business transfer agents.

When an appraisal is appropriate:

  • Initial exploration of sale options
  • Benchmarking your business value
  • Strategic planning
  • Testing market interest
  • Informal succession planning discussions

Specialist Nursery Business Advisors

The only way to reach a reasonable nursery valuation is by consulting experts within the field who can assess all factors and benchmark against recent prices for similar nurseries across the UK.

Specialist advisors bring:

  • Deep sector knowledge and experience
  • Access to comparable transaction data
  • Understanding of buyer motivations
  • Relationships with active acquirers
  • Technical valuation expertise
  • Market intelligence and trends

Selecting a professional advisor:

  • Seek specialists with nursery sector experience
  • Verify professional qualifications (RICS, qualified surveyors)
  • Check track record of completed transactions
  • Understand fee structures and engagement terms
  • Seek recommendations from other nursery owners
  • Ensure they understand your specific circumstances

Conclusion: Maximising Your Nursery's Value

Valuing a nursery business requires balancing technical financial analysis with sector-specific knowledge and market awareness. The methodology combines quantitative assessment of earnings and assets with qualitative evaluation of location, reputation, regulatory standing, and operational efficiency.

Key takeaways for maximising your nursery’s value:

  1. Focus on sustainable profitability: Strong, consistent earnings drive valuations more than any other single factor
  2. Maintain exceptional quality standards: Outstanding Ofsted ratings and operational excellence command premium multiples
  3. Build a strong management team: Reduce owner dependency and demonstrate the business can thrive under new ownership
  4. Invest in your premises: Well-maintained, purpose-designed facilities in prime locations support higher valuations
  5. Diversify income streams: Balance government-funded and private fee-paying places to demonstrate resilience
  6. Document everything: Comprehensive records, systems, and procedures give buyers confidence
  7. Understand your market: Local demographics, competition, and regional funding rates affect value significantly
  8. Plan ahead: Value enhancement takes time – start preparing for a sale or valuation well in advance
  9. Seek expert advice: Professional valuers and specialist business advisors add value through their expertise and market knowledge
  10. Be realistic: The sale price is determined by what banks will lend against the business and what the market is prepared to pay, not the aspirations of the seller

Whether you’re actively planning to sell, considering your options, or simply want to understand your business’s worth, a thorough, realistic valuation provides the foundation for informed decision-making. In a sector facing both challenges and opportunities, accurate valuation has never been more important.

Ready to Value or Sell Your Nursery Business?

Understanding valuation is the first step. If you’re considering selling your nursery or need expert guidance on achieving the best value for your business, specialist advice makes all the difference.

Abacus Day Nursery Sales specialises exclusively in the valuation and sale of day nursery businesses across the UK. With deep sector expertise and an extensive network of qualified buyers, we help nursery owners achieve optimal outcomes.

Why Choose Specialist Representation?

  • Sector Expertise: In-depth understanding of nursery valuation methodologies and market dynamics
  • Qualified Buyer Network: Access to pre-qualified buyers actively seeking quality nurseries
  • Confidential Marketing: Discreet handling to protect your business and staff during the sale process
  • Regulatory Knowledge: Expert navigation of licensing, Ofsted, and local authority requirements
  • Transaction Support: Guidance through every stage from initial valuation to completion
  • Proven Track Record: Successful completions across diverse nursery types and regions

Get Your Free Valuation Consultation

Take the first step towards understanding your nursery’s true worth. Our team provides confidential, no-obligation valuations backed by comprehensive market intelligence.

Contact Abacus Day Nursery Sales to discuss your nursery’s value and explore your options.

Thinking of Selling?

If you’ve decided to sell, we provide comprehensive support throughout the entire process:

  • Professional RICS-compliant valuations
  • Targeted marketing to qualified buyers
  • Transaction management and negotiation
  • Due diligence coordination
  • Legal and financial process guidance
  • Post-sale transition support

Learn more about our nursery selling services and how we achieve premium results for our clients.

About Abacus Day Nursery Sales

Abacus Day Nursery Sales is the UK’s specialist nursery business transfer agency, dedicated exclusively to valuing, marketing, and selling day nurseries and pre-schools. With extensive sector knowledge and an unrivalled network of buyers, we help nursery owners achieve optimal outcomes when the time comes to sell. Our confidential, professional service supports you through every stage of the transaction, ensuring a smooth transition that protects your business, staff, and reputation.

Contact us today for a confidential discussion about your nursery's value and future.

*This guide provides general information about nursery business valuation in the UK and should not be considered financial, legal, or tax advice. Business valuations are complex and individual circumstances vary significantly. Always seek professional advice from qualified specialists before making decisions

Planning to sell?

Our comprehensive guide on preparing your nursery for sale will help you maximise your business value.

Learn More