YouTube Link: STOP Missing Out! How Networking Can Instantly Boost Your Success!
Why Local Networking Matters When Running (or Selling) a Day Nursery
Running a day nursery in today’s climate is more demanding than ever. From managing staffing ratios to navigating Ofsted registration, local authority funding arrangements, and preparing accurate financial records, the daily responsibilities of nursery ownership leave little time for external engagement.
Yet, one of the most powerful tools available to nursery owners — particularly those considering selling their day nursery — is local networking.
Recently, I had the pleasure of sponsoring a small, in-person networking event for nursery owners across the East Midlands. While national organisations like the NDNA play a vital role in policy updates and industry guidance, I believe these more intimate, localised gatherings offer something uniquely valuable: shared experience, peer support, and real-time insight into the day-to-day challenges we all face.
Networking: A Support System for Nursery Owners
In the early years sector, many business owners operate in isolation. You’re often in ratio during the day, overseeing financial performance in the evenings, and responding to regulatory notifications on the fly. Add in the challenges of occupancy rates, staff retention, and managing both fixed assets and financial data, and it’s easy to see how business leaders become stretched thin.
What’s often missing in this landscape is a safe space for connection — a forum for open dialogue among peers who truly understand the pressures of running a nursery. This kind of support system becomes even more vital when you’re beginning to prepare your nursery as a business for sale.
The Power of Peer-Led Discussion
The East Midlands event included expert talks on HR legislation and Ofsted compliance, but the most valuable part of the day was arguably the final hour: an open forum. Attendees were invited to share current issues, brainstorm solutions, and reflect on how others are managing similar hurdles. It was honest, practical, and collaborative.
For anyone considering pre-sale improvements, the insights shared at events like these can directly shape how you position your nursery for sale — from refining marketing materials to navigating property tenure considerations (freehold, leasehold, or lease assignment).
This kind of collective experience feeds into a clearer understanding of what prospective buyers are looking for in terms of buyer qualifications, heads of terms, and due diligence readiness. It also builds your confidence to enter conversations around net profit multiples, goodwill nursery valuation, and even formal RICS Valuation (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors).
Creating Your Own Local Network
If there isn’t an existing network in your area, don’t wait — start one. It doesn’t need to be complex or time-consuming. A simple quarterly coffee morning for nursery owners in your region can be the start of something transformational. In addition to creating meaningful support, these meetups offer opportunities to discuss:
- Part-time childcare costs vs. full-time childcare costs
- Practical benchmarking tips
- Managing occupancy numbers and seasonal holiday childcare costs
- Navigating transition support when onboarding new staff or preparing for a sale
- Updates on Ofsted notifications and best practices
These conversations can help you prepare for future scenarios, whether that’s scaling, adapting to new funding arrangements, or planning an exit strategy.
Why Networking Supports Your Nursery’s Valuation
When it comes to preparing for sale, many owners focus on numbers — and rightly so. Clean financial records, strong occupancy rates, and a well-managed property search (or clarity on your freehold commercial value) all influence expert valuation.
But what buyers are also assessing — through confidentiality agreements, due diligence, and during the transition period — is the culture, stability, and support structure surrounding the business.
A nursery owner with a clear pipeline and acquisition strategy, backed by local peer networks, is more likely to have thought through key decisions around:
- Flat-fee vs. commission models for brokers
- Managing the legal documentation process
- Navigating the Letter of Intent (LOI) phase
- Coordinating with expert advisors on sale preparation
Your local support network might not appear directly on a balance sheet, but it contributes to the overall goodwill and operational confidence that buyers assess when reviewing your financial info and business practices.
Final Thought
Whether you’re actively looking to sell your day nursery, exploring options, or simply seeking connection in an increasingly complex industry, local networking provides immense value. It’s a space to learn, share, vent, and evolve — and it’s one of the most underutilised tools in our sector.
So if there’s no event near you, start one. You never know how many other owners are also looking for a cup of coffee, a moment to reflect, and a meaningful exchange of ideas.
Have questions or want to be notified about future networking events? Get in touch — we’d love to connect.
