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Selling your nursery?
We have a wealth of experience in buying and selling day nurseries, with a wide reach of clients looking for opportunities.
Buying a nursery?
Explore the day nurseries on our national database to see what’s on offer. Begin by selecting your preferred location.
Abacus Day Nursery Sales – UK's Leading Day Nursery Sales Specialists
Abacus Day Nursery Sales is the UK’s specialist platform for buying and selling day nurseries. With over 15 years of experience in the childcare sector, we help nursery owners secure the best price for their business and assist buyers in finding the right investment opportunity.
Why Choose Abacus?
We exclusively specialise in day nursery sales and acquisitions across the UK. Unlike general business brokers, our team understands the unique aspects of the childcare sector including Ofsted regulations, EYFS compliance, TUPE requirements, and the sensitive nature of selling a children’s business.
- Deep Sector Expertise: We understand the complexities of operating children’s nurseries and have worked with businesses ranging from small single-site settings to large multi-location chains.
- A Genuine Personal Service: We recognise that no two nurseries — or nursery owners — are the same. Whether you are preparing for retirement or expanding your portfolio, we tailor our strategies around your goals, timeline, and confidentiality requirements.
- Nationwide Network of Serious Buyers & Sellers: Our extensive database of qualified nursery buyers includes Existing group operators, First-time buyers, Childcare entrepreneurs, Private equity groups, Property investors & Corporate nursery groups
- Confidential, Professional & Efficient: We know that confidentiality is crucial in the childcare sector. From discreet marketing to confidential negotiations with vetted buyers, we ensure your business continues to run smoothly while we handle the sale or purchase in the background.
- Market-Accurate Valuations: We deliver realistic, evidence-based valuations built around the core performance drivers of your nursery — including occupancy and demand levels, profitability and financial performance, staffing and operational costs, lease/freehold considerations, Ofsted ratings, and local demographic and catchment factors — all of which contribute to an accurate EBITDA-led assessment.
Discretion, sensitivity, efficiency.
Childcare businesses play a vital role in the nation’s economy and families’ lives. When the time comes for an owner to sell, we understand the transfer must be completed with utmost discretion, sensitivity and efficiency. With Abacus, confidentiality comes as standard and we will be clear, frank and honest in all our interactions with you and on your behalf.
“The team were fantastic, they supported the process and kept a firm but friendly pressure on the progression of the deal.”
Peter, Sunshine Nursery
Helping You Sell Your Day Nursery With Confidence
Deciding to sell your business is a significant step, often filled with mixed emotions. At Black Business Brokers, we make this transition as smooth as possible by providing expert guidance every step of the way. Our focus is on achieving the best possible outcome while minimising stress for you.
Free Nursery Valuation
Preparing Your Nursery for Sale
Marketing Your Business
Handling Offers and Negotiations
TUPE Compliance
Free Nursery Valuation
We begin with a comprehensive valuation of your nursery, assessing the core drivers of performance such as financial results, occupancy and demand, Ofsted rating, property status, location, staffing structure, and the quality of facilities. Our valuations are realistic and achievable, grounded in actual market data and evidenced by recent sector sales, giving you a clear understanding of the factors that shape your EBITDA and overall market value.
Preparing Your Nursery for Sale
We guide you through the preparation process to maximise your sale price. This includes organising financial records, ensuring Ofsted and EYFS compliance documentation is up to date, and reviewing occupancy levels. Our pre-sale checklist helps identify any issues before buyers discover them during due diligence.
Marketing Your Business
Once prepared, we launch a targeted marketing campaign with confidential listings that protect your identity. We make direct approaches to our database of active buyers and create professional sales particulars. All potential buyers must sign NDAs before receiving full details.
Handling Offers and Negotiations
When offers come in, we help you evaluate them properly. Price is important, but other factors matter too including the buyer’s financial capability, completion timeline, and plans for the nursery. We negotiate on your behalf to secure the best terms and highest price.
TUPE Compliance
When you sell a trading nursery, staff automatically transfer to the new owner under TUPE regulations. We guide you through employee consultation requirements and timeline for notifications. Most buyers value an experienced, qualified team, so staff transfer usually benefits everyone.
Buying a Day Nursery
Looking to buy a day nursery? We help first-time buyers and experienced operators find the right opportunity. Here’s what we offer:
We maintain the UK’s most comprehensive database of day nursery opportunities including freehold and leasehold properties, purpose-built facilities, and converted properties. We also have access to off-market opportunities not publicly advertised. Tell us your requirements and we’ll match you with suitable businesses.
New to the childcare sector? We provide complete support including explaining how nursery businesses operate and discussing Ofsted registration requirements. Ofsted registration takes approximately 6 months for first-time operators, so we help you start this process early.
Already running nurseries? We help you identify bolt-on acquisitions in target areas and evaluate financial performance and growth potential. Ofsted approvals are usually completed within 2 weeks for existing operators.
Count on Abacus
We have completed the sale of countless day nurseries over many years, securing transactions that enable buyers and sellers alike to meet their goals while safeguarding the interests of staff, parents and children. We know what it takes to guide sales to completion successfully and discreetly in this unique sector. Society counts on you. You can count on Abacus.
Our commitment to you
- We will always act with discretion, sensitivity and in complete confidence
- You can trust us to provide fair, honest valuations
- We will keep you fully informed at every stage
- We will work to complete transactions as quickly as possible
Types of Day Nurseries We Deal In
We handle all types of childcare businesses:
Full Day Care Nurseries
Operating Monday to Friday, typically 7:30am to 6pm, caring for children aged 6 weeks to 5 years. These form the majority of our sales and offer steady income from working parents.
Pre-Schools and Sessional Care
Term-time settings offering morning and afternoon sessions. Often registered for 3-4 year olds only. These can be ideal for lifestyle buyers wanting school holidays off.
Montessori and Specialist Nurseries
Following specific educational philosophies or specialising in particular approaches. These often command premium fees and attract dedicated parents.
Wrap-Around Care and Holiday Clubs
Facilities offering before/after school care and holiday programmes for school-age children. These complement day nursery income.
Purpose-Built vs Converted Properties
We sell both newly constructed facilities and converted houses, churches, or commercial buildings. Each has advantages depending on location, planning, and investment goals.
Freehold and Leasehold
Freehold gives you property ownership and long-term security. Leasehold requires less upfront investment and offers flexibility. We help you understand which suits your situation.
Why Day Nurseries Are Good Investments
The UK childcare sector offers strong investment opportunities:
- Consistent Demand: Working parents need reliable childcare year-round. Government funding for 2, 3, and 4-year-olds creates stable baseline income. Demand typically exceeds supply in most areas.
- Recurring Revenue: stable once established, with many children staying for years.
- Government Support: Free childcare hours for eligible children provide guaranteed income. Schemes continue expanding, supporting sector growth.
- Expansion Opportunities: Successful operators often grow by acquiring additional nurseries. Multi-site ownership creates economies of scale and increases value.
- Resilient Business Model: Childcare businesses proved resilient during recent challenges. Parents need childcare to work, making this an essential service.
Legal and Regulatory Requirements
Buying or selling a day nursery involves specific legal requirements:
Staff automatically transfer to new owners when selling a trading business. Proper consultation is legally required.
All day nurseries must be registered with Ofsted (or Care Inspectorate Wales in Wales). Ownership changes must be reported within 14 days. Buyers often need new registrations, especially for asset purchases.
Leasehold properties need landlord approval to transfer leases. We negotiate with landlords on your behalf.
Contracts must include appropriate warranties and indemnities protecting both parties. We recommend specialist childcare solicitors.
All premises must meet health and safety requirements, including fire safety, risk assessments, and safeguarding policies.
All staff working with children need enhanced DBS checks. Buyers verify these during due diligence.
How Long Does It Take?
With a well-established reputation in UK business brokerage, we’re known for supporting smooth, successful transactions across the country.
Our broad network and market insight enable us to provide informed guidance throughout the process.
Selling: Typically 3-6 months from marketing to a sale being agreed. Timeline depends on:
- Buyer availability and financing
- Due diligence complexity
- Legal processes
- Ofsted approvals
Buying: 2-6 months from offer to completion for experienced operators. First-time buyers should add 6 months for Ofsted registration.
We work to complete transactions as efficiently as possible while ensuring all requirements are properly met.
Frequently asked questions
Generally no. Most sales remain confidential until completion. TUPE consultation happens once a buyer is secured and completion is imminent.
We still sell nurseries with lower ratings, though values are affected. We work with buyers who see improvement potential.
Sometimes. Some buyers want existing owners to remain as managers during transition. This depends on negotiations.
If you own the freehold, you can sell just the business and lease the property to the buyer, providing ongoing rental income. We advise on the best approach for your circumstances.
Staff automatically transfer to the new owner under TUPE. Most buyers value experienced teams and want to retain them.
Typically as a multiple of net profit plus asset value. Multiples vary based on factors like location, Ofsted rating, property status, and market conditions. Freehold properties add significant value.
Yes, Self-Invested Personal Pensions (SIPPs) can purchase freehold nursery properties as commercial investments.