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Practical guides for running a brilliant day nursery

Ofsted report cards, ratios, funded hours, business planning, marketing and nursery design — clear, sourced advice written for UK nursery owners and managers.

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Ofsted & compliance

Ofsted report cards for nurseries: what providers need to know

Ofsted has replaced the single-word judgement with a report card that scores providers across several evaluation areas. Here is what changes for your setting, how inspectors reach each judgement, and the preparation that actually makes a difference.

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Ratios, staffing & recruitment

Early years staff ratios explained for nursery owners

A room-by-room breakdown of the statutory staff:child ratios for day nurseries, who can and cannot be counted, how ratios work during sleep, outdoor play and outings, and the record-keeping that protects you at inspection.

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Funding & finance

Funded hours rates for nurseries: what providers are paid

A working guide to funded childcare for nursery owners: the entitlements, how local authority rates are set and paid, what you can and cannot charge alongside them, the supplementary funding streams, and how to protect cash flow.

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Ofsted & compliance

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Ofsted & compliance

Ofsted report cards for nurseries: what providers need to know

Ofsted has replaced the single-word judgement with a report card that scores providers across several evaluation areas. Here is what changes for your setting, how inspectors reach each judgement, and the preparation that actually makes a difference.

Read guide

Ratios, staffing & recruitment

See all 1 guides →

Ratios, staffing & recruitment

Early years staff ratios explained for nursery owners

A room-by-room breakdown of the statutory staff:child ratios for day nurseries, who can and cannot be counted, how ratios work during sleep, outdoor play and outings, and the record-keeping that protects you at inspection.

Read guide

Funding & finance

See all 1 guides →

Funding & finance

Funded hours rates for nurseries: what providers are paid

A working guide to funded childcare for nursery owners: the entitlements, how local authority rates are set and paid, what you can and cannot charge alongside them, the supplementary funding streams, and how to protect cash flow.

Read guide

Running the business

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Running the business

Nursery business plan template for UK owners

A section-by-section business plan template for opening or running a UK day nursery, with the cost categories lenders expect, a break-even method that works, and the regulatory steps that determine your opening date.

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Occupancy & marketing

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Occupancy & marketing

Nursery marketing ideas that fill places

Practical, low-cost marketing for UK nursery owners — how parents actually search and choose, what to fix first, how to run open days that convert, and how to turn a waiting list into occupancy.

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Design, environment & activities

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Design, environment & activities

Nursery room design ideas: spaces that support learning

How to design nursery rooms that reduce behavioural flashpoints and support the EYFS: zoning, continuous provision, sensory and calm spaces, loose parts, outdoor provision, storage, and a low-cost improvement plan.

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