business plan for nursery and primary school

ZenBusinessPlans

Home » Sample Business Plans » Education » School

How to Write a Nursery School Business Plan [Sample Template]

Are you about starting a nursery school? If YES, here is a complete sample nursery school business plan template & feasibility report you can use for FREE . Okay, so we have considered all the requirements for starting a nursery school.

We also took it further by analyzing and drafting a sample nursery school marketing plan template backed up by actionable guerrilla marketing ideas for nursery schools. So let’s proceed to the business planning section.

Why Start a Nursery School?

We all know that a nursery school is a pre-school childcare facility that are actually open all year round and all day to take care of kids of working or busy parents.

This business is not an easy business, which is why if you’re not certain about committing to a full-time business, there are other ways that you could be involved in childcare – from running a crèche to a playgroup. You can even start and organize a self-employed childminder at home.

It is very important to note that starting a nursery is certainly not a short cut to wealth. In fact, you could probably make more money driving a taxi than running your own nursery. But, if you want to start a business that will be inspiring, provide hourly challenges and a lot of rewards then you should consider starting a nursery school.

Before you start your nursery, it would be wise to write down your business plan. If you are going to go through the rough patch of starting a nursery school, you should run it like a business venture, not as a hobby.

One other hurdle that you will need to scale as you start out in this industry is to write a business plan. Below is a detailed business plan for your consumption.

A Sample Nursery School Business Plan Template

1. industry overview.

Nursery Schools provide preschool education services for children aged three and four, combined with day care. Most businesses in the nursery school industry are private but may get funding from a variety of sources, including state and federal grants.

We all know that getting affordable, quality child day care, especially for children under age 5, is a major concern for many parents, particularly in recent years with the rise in families with two working parents. As the need for child day care has increased, the child day care services industry began to fill the need of non-relative child care.

It was estimated that within the past five years, strained household income and pressures on local budgets have shortened the spending on nursery schools, moving the nursery school industry revenue to reduce drastically. But it has been estimated that in the coming years, improved household income and greater public attention to early education will aid to turn the nursery school industry.

Still, grand plans for preschool expansion, including a tentative plan to provide multibillion-dollar investment by increasing taxes on tobacco and on high-income households, are unlikely to come to fruition in the near future.

Also it has been verified that this industry shows a low level of capital intensity, measured as spending on capital versus labour. It is expected that the average nursery school will spend only $0.05 on depreciable capital for every $1.00 spent on labour in the next two to three years.

It is believed that nursery schools will continue to rely on teachers and other staff, employing little capital beside school buses and software. In addition, this capital wears out slowly, limiting depreciation spending per year. It is expected that the capital intensity of the industry will remain low through 2022. Conversely, labour intensity will remain high, with wages being the single largest cost for an industry operator.

2. Executive Summary

Covenant Academy is a new, standard, and a full-service nursery school in the Sterling City that will take care of toddlers from age three to five. We at Covenant Academy hope to focus on the upper end of the market: double-income professional parents.

We believe that these personally ambitious parents are typically eager in terms of their children’s development and will be willing to pay to have their children attend the best educational facilities. We believe that through adequate and specialized training of our prospective staff and our innovative learning systems, we at Covenant Academy will be able to take over the market entirely.

We believe that our well sustained educational curriculum, coupled with a custom designed facility and a low teacher: student ratio will make sure we achieve a top shelf service for the children and the parents.

We at Covenant Academy expect to become profitable by month 12, and have estimated a modest net profit by year three. Our objectives at Covenant Academy for the first two years of operation will be to create a service based operation whose primary goal is to exceed customer’s expectations.

We also expect the utilization of Covenant Academy by at least 40 different families in the first eight months. We at Covenant Academy hope to increase the number of client’s served by 20% each year and also develop a sustainable, profitable, start-up business.

Covenant Academy will be located in Sterling City, Texas, and will offer child care services for kids between the ages of three and five. We at Covenant Academy plan to offer our innovative services from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. The cute kids of our prospective clients we believe will be exposed to a large range of activities including arts and crafts, socialization, large muscle group activities, and general learning.

We at Covenant Academy believe that we will be priced out of some people’s budget, but will offer a low student to teacher ratio and well trained staff.

3. Our Products and Services

We at Covenant Academy plan to offer the good people of Sterling City an upper-end nursery school facility for toddlers age three to five. We hope to offer a low teacher to student ratio, custom facilities, and innovative learning programs. Our operation hours at Covenant Academy will be a bit wider rage than normal business hours to accommodate the working parents, the target customer.

We at Covenant Academy understand that the two income families have children, yet both parents work. That is why Covenant Academy was established as an innovative solution that acts as virtual parents, broadening the children’s skills during the day. It is worthwhile to note that Covenant Academy is not a baby sitter facility but a fully fledged Nursery school. The children are engaged throughout the day, learning new skills and reinforcing already acquired ones.

4. Our Mission and Vision Statement

• Our vision at Covenant Academy is to provide dedicated early education services to children within the our target market
• Our mission at Covenant Academy is to provide top level nurse school activities. We at Covenant Academy exist to attract and maintain customers. When we adhere to this maxim, everything else will fall into place. Our services will exceed the expectations of our customers.

Our Business Structure

Craig Sissy, the founder and owner of Covenant Academy will be managing the daily operations of the facility. Craig Sissy got his undergraduate degree in English from the University of Washington. After graduating with a Second class upper division, Craig was no actually sure of what he wanted to do so he travelled to Australia and taught English for four years.

Within the first two years of his stay in Australia, Craig stayed with a local family. In exchange for room and board, he cared for the family’s two children. Although he had never done any child care before, Matt found love and satisfaction just taking care of the kids.

When he returned to the united states Craig decided to start a solid career in the field that makes him happy and fulfilled. Ultimately, He entered the University of California for his Master of Education Program in toddler development.

After graduation, Craig became very confident in his abilities and decided that he would appreciate the autonomy of running his own business. He purchased a house for the facility has been working hard on this project ever since. He has layer a basic foundation that will surely guarantee success and these are the very workforce he wish to work with at Covenant Academy:

School Director

School Administrator

• Tutors for Various Learning Areas

Marketing and Sales Executive

Accountant / Bursar

• Client Service Executive / Front Desk Officer
• Security Officer

5. Job Roles and Responsibilities

• In charge of providing direction for the nursery school
• Creating, communicating, and implementing the organization’s vision, mission, and overall direction – i.e. leading the development and implementation of the overall organization’s strategy.
• In charge of handling high profile clients and deals
• In charge of fixing fees and signing business deals (partnership)
• In charge of signing checks and documents on behalf of the tutorial college
• Coordinates all arms of the nursery school
• Evaluates the success of the nursery school
• Reports to the board of the nursery school
• In charge of overseeing the smooth running of HR and administrative tasks for the pre – school
• Design job descriptions with KPI to drive performance management for all staff members
• Regularly hold meetings with key stakeholders (parents and member of the school board) to review the effectiveness of the schools’ Policies, Procedures and Processes
• Maintains office supplies by checking stocks; placing and expediting orders; evaluating new products.
• Ensures operation of equipment by completing preventive maintenance requirements; calling for repairs.
• Defining job positions for recruitment and managing interviewing process
• Carries out staff induction for new team members
• In charge of training, evaluation and assessment of employees
• In charge of arranging travel, meetings and appointments
• Updates job knowledge by participating in educational opportunities; reading professional publications; maintaining personal networks; participating in professional organizations.
• Oversee the smooth running of the daily activities of the tutorial college.

Tutors for Various Learning Areas for Toddlers

• Effectively teach subject / subjects as assigned by the school coordinator
• Access the progress of kids under their care
• Ensure that kids participate in learning activities such as potty trainings, rhymes and dancing et al
• Contributes his / her quota towards growing the pre – school
• Receives complaints from parents and channel it to the appropriate quarters
• Handle any other duty as assigned by the school coordinator.
• Identifies, prioritizes, and reaches out to new parents, and business opportunities et al
• Identifies development opportunities; follows up on development leads and contacts; participates in the structuring and financing of projects; assures the completion of development projects.
• Writing winning proposal documents, negotiate fees and rates in line with organizations’ policy
• In charge of handling business research, market surveys and feasibility studies for clients
• In charge of supervising implementation, advocate for the customer’s needs, and communicate with clients
• Develops, executes and evaluate new plans for expanding increase sales
• Document all customer contact and information
• Represents the company in strategic meetings
• Help increase sales and growth for the company
• In charge of preparing financial reports, budgets, and financial statements for the organization
• Provides managements with financial analyses, development budgets, and accounting reports; analyses financial feasibility for the most complex proposed projects; conducts market research to forecast trends and business conditions.
• In charge of financial forecasting and risks analysis.
• Performs cash management, general ledger accounting, and financial reporting for one or more properties.
• In charge of developing and managing financial systems and policies
• In charge of administering payrolls
• Ensuring compliance with taxation legislation
• Handles all financial transactions for the nursery
• Serves as internal auditor for the nursery school

Client Service Executive

• Welcomes toddlers and their parents by greeting them in person or on the telephone; answering or directing inquiries.
• Ensures that all contacts with parents (e-mail, walk-In centre, SMS or phone) provides them with a personalized customer service experience of the highest level
• Through interaction with parents on the phone, uses every opportunity to build their interest in the school’s products and services
• Manages administrative duties assigned by the school coordinator in an effective and timely manner
• Consistently stays abreast of any new information on the schools’ products, promotional campaigns etc. to ensure accurate and helpful information is supplied to students when they make enquiries
• Receives parcels / documents for the nursery school
• Handles any other duties as assigned by the school authority
• Maintain a clean nursery school facility by sweeping, vacuuming, dusting, cleaning of glass doors and windows, etc. if required.
• Ensures that toiletries and supplies don’t run out of stock
• In charge of handling laundry
• Handles any other duty as assigned by the school coordinator.

Security Officers

• Ensure that the nursery facility is secured at all time
• Control traffic and organize parking
• Give security tips to staff members from time to time
• Patrols around the building on a 24 hours basis
• Submit security reports weekly
• Any other duty as assigned by the school coordinator.

6. SWOT Analysis

We at Covenant Academy understand that just within the United States, there are approximately 20,000 businesses that provide preschool and early education services to the general public. We were meant to believe that annually, these businesses generate $10 billion of revenue while providing jobs for 180,000 people. Annual payrolls in each of the last five years have exceeded $2 billion.

Preschools are considered to be part of a mature industry, and the expected future growth rate will remain in line with that of the economy’s GDP. We also understand how competitive the industry is and how businesses in the industry are trying so hard to overshadow other ventures, which is why we are so keen to understand all possible loopholes and establish a competitive business.

We took our time to research and write a comprehensive SWOT Analysis, that explains our strength and possible weaknesses. We believe that all issues will be taken care of before we open our doors for operation. Outlined below is a comprehensive SWOT Analysis conducted by Nicklaus Communications for Covenant Academy:

According to our comprehensive SWOT Analysis, the core strength of Covenant Academy lies in the will and experience of our team; our workforce. We at Covenant Academy believe that we have a team that has the right passion and drive for taking care of toddlers, a specific workforce with excellent qualifications and experience in education industry.

Our SWOT Analysis also noted that Covenant Academy is well positioned in a community with the right demographic composition and that we will attract loads of parents who would want to register their kids from the first day we open our doors at Covenant Academy.

Our SWOT Analysis noted that our weaknesses might be the time it will take some time for our organization to break into the market and gain acceptance in the already saturated education industry. Also we might not have the required money to pump into advertising and promoting our brand the way we would want to.

• Opportunities

The opportunities in the education industry are very huge due to the number of parents who would want their kids to be in safe place and to gain adequate knowledge. As a standard, safe and highly comfortable nursery school, we are ready to take advantage of any opportunity that comes our way.

Our SWOT Analysis noted that some of the threats that we are likely going to face as a nursery school operating in the United States of America are unfavourable government policies that might affect us directly and indirectly, the arrival of a competitor within our location of operations and global economic downturn which usually affects spending / purchasing power.

There is hardly anything we can do as regards these threats other than to be optimistic that things will continue to work for our good.

7. MARKET ANALYSIS

• Market Trends

The improvement in the Nursery industry is the main reason that is attracting parents to enrol their wards is the safe and capable institutions, cleanliness, location and of course the overall comfort of their toddlers. It is worthwhile to note that the trend in the nursery industry is such that businesses in this industry can now comfortably start their Nursery school business in a business district; a place where it is easier for working class parents to pick their kids after work and do all things necessary.

Although competition among pre-schools is one way to bring tuition costs down, government action should be taken to make pre-school education more accessible for children from all backgrounds, whether it be ethnic, economic, or social. Investing in early childhood education will benefit individual children and society as a whole.

Since most pre-school programs are administered by private organizations, more funding is being provided at the state and federal level to provide make it possible for children to have the opportunity to attend pre-school, especially children coming from families living below the poverty line.

The economic downturn hasn’t really affected this industry, especially in countries that believe in the efficacy of early education. The areas you would need to spend heavily on is in ensuring that your school is up to standard, is the facility, your advertisements, and insurance.

8. Our Target Market

We at Covenant Academy hope to concentrate solely on the double income working professional families because they are the part of the population that can most easily afford nursery schools, are the ones who need day care because of their work obligations, appreciate the advanced learning and development we at Covenant Academy are very much ready to offer.

We believe that with both parents working, this part of the American population will always need some sort of provisions for the care of their child. It is very important to note that the Department of Labour indicates that over 50% of children are cared by relatives compared to 29% for commercial education institutions.

But we are confident that our targeted group always wants a more structured learning environment. We all know that using relatives are great for nights out or weekends, but it cannot be argued or compared to a structured program when it comes to the learning and development that we at Covenant Academy are offering.

Our competitive advantage

We at Covenant Academy are bent on targeting a specific niche in child care space and we understand the market properly. We plan to always adequately spread our services to let us attract our target market. We at Covenant Academy plan to use the touring of our facilities to sell our services.

We understand how important this is, because we understand that most parents want to see a facility before they will send their kids there. Our facilities at Covenant Academy are so good that they speak for themselves. We believe that our competitive advantage is in two folds and they include:

• Our intensive and specialized training

We at Covenant Academy understand that our educational facility can only be as good as the teachers and assistants. Which is why we at Covenant Academy have established an intensive training program that all teachers and assistants are put through so they are proficient at teaching the specific programs that we at Covenant Academy have organise for all prospective toddlers age three to five.

• Our well researched Innovative learning programs

We at Covenant Academy understand that the specialized learning programs for toddlers within our target market will have to focus on specific traits and only work on one trait/ skill at once. We understand that as much as this is successful in reinforcing the skill, it is often very difficult for the child to appreciate the interrelationships of the different skills.

Consequently, the child can learn the skill, but has difficulty applying the skill when faced with multiple stimuli. We at Covenant Academy possess adequate experience so that the child is unsure of what to do because of the multiple stimuli and these several skills that they have learned independently, the child tends to shut down out of confusion. We are prepared to create a learning pattern that brings out the best in kids.

9. SALES AND MARKETING STRATEGY

• Sources of Income

Our source of income at Covenant Academy will come from providing preschool, early childhood education services and after school care for children enrolled in our well defined educational facility. We at Covenant Academy also believe that from time to time, we will be able to receive state based grants that will help us in subsidizing the costs associated with providing our services for young children within the State.

We at Covenant Academy believe that we will be able to provide a broad range of educational services including artistic training, general education, and computer training for young children. We at Covenant Academy will also serve breakfast and lunch to students enrolled in our Institute.

We will also make sure that all employees possess the necessary licensure and background check so that they are qualified to work with children under the age of six. This will be one of the foremost priorities of Covenant Academy.

10. Sales Forecast

We at Covenant plan to use the very first two months to renovate the facility and bringing it up to specifications, both for the state health and license codes. Within the same period, we must have been done with the training program and manuals. The first week of the third month will be used for training of the staff. We at Covenant Academy understand that by the middle of the third month, we will start accepting children for care.

We also expect that the facility will be under-utilized until the eighth month. By then, word will have spread and the classes will be filling up quite nicely. We at Covenant Academy believe that from month seven on, there will be a steady, incremental increase in sales. We have researched the industry and have come out with a detailed sales projection and they are:

• First Year -: $150,000
• Second Year -: $980,000
• Third Year -: $3,000,000

Note : it is worthwhile to note just like we stated above that this forecast was done based on what is obtainable in the industry and with the believe that none of the threats we mentioned above will be a hindrance or may likely appear.

• Marketing Strategy and Sales strategy

We at Covenant Academy plan to makes use a number of

It is also our plan to build relationships with public and private schools within the our target market in order to generate referrals among parents that have older children in grade school and are seeking preschool services for their younger children. We at Covenant Academy will also use an internet based strategy. This is very important as many people seeking local services, such as preschools, now the Internet to conduct their preliminary searches.

We at Covenant Academy also plan to register our Institute with online portals so that potential customers can easily reach the business. We will also develop our own online website. We will maintain a sizable amount of print and traditional advertising methods within local markets to promote the services we are offering. Below is the summary of all the marketing strategies we plan to use:

• Introduce our nursery school by sending introductory letters alongside our brochure to parents / household and key stake holders in Sterling city
• Print out fliers and business cards and strategically drop them in religious centres, libraries and public facilities.
• Use friends and family to spread word about our Institute
• Post information about our nursery school on bulletin boards in places like churches, maternity clinics, parks, libraries, and local coffee shops et al
• Place a small or classified advertisement in the newspaper, or local publication about our nursery school
• Leverage on referral networks such as agencies that will help match parents with toddlers under school age with our nursery school
• Join relevant association or body that will enable you network and meet others in same industry.
• Advertising online by using an advertising platform such as Google AdWords, that will allow us place text advertisements alongside on websites with related contents, and along results from search engines.
• Advertise our pre – school in relevant educational magazines, newspapers, TV stations, and radio station.
• Attend relevant educational expos, seminars, and business fairs et al
• Engage direct marketing approach
• Encourage word of mouth marketing from loyal and satisfied parents

11. Publicity and Advertising Strategy

We at Covenant Academy plan to ensure maximum visibility for our Institute within our targeted market. Below is an overview of the publicity and advertising strategies of Covenant Academy:

• Place adverts on both print (community based newspapers and magazines) and electronic media platforms
• Sponsor relevant community based events / programs
• Leverage on the internet and social media platforms like; Instagram, Facebook , twitter, YouTube, Google + et al to promote our brand
• Install our Bill Boards on strategic locations all around Sterling City
• Engage in road show from time to time in targeted neighbourhoods
• Distribute our fliers and handbills in target areas
• Contact corporate organizations by calling them up and informing them of our Nursery school, and the advantage we over the others.
• Passing general information via our social media handles like twitter, Facebook, Google hangouts etc.
• Ensure that all our staff members wear our branded shirts and all our vehicles are well branded with our schools’ logo et al.

12. Our Pricing Strategy

Our strategy at Covenant Academy will be based on a communication effort to explain the virtues and importance of all our services and how we can successfully speed up the children’s development considerably. In addition to one on one explanation of the program and its merits, the prospective parents will be given tours of the facilities.

We at Covenant Academy hope to keep our fees below the average market rate for all of our students by keeping our overhead low and by collecting payment in advance. In addition, we will also offer special discounted rates to all our students at regular intervals. We are aware that there are some kids that would need special assistance, we will offer flat rate for such services that will be tailored to take care of such kids’ needs.

• Payment Options

It is very important to note that we at Covenant Academy after our extensive research and thorough discussion understand efficiently that different customers prefer different payment options as it suits them but at different times and ways.

We plan to make sure that we provide them with payment options that will make their transactions less stressful and very open. Listed below are the payment options we at Covenant Academy plan to make available to our customers;

• Payment via bank transfer
• Payment with cash
• Payment via online bank transfer
• Payment via check
• Payment via bank draft
• Payment via POS

We have also chosen to partner with a known bank in the United States in order to give our customers the best they can ever get in the nursery school industry of the United States.

13. Startup Expenditure (Budget)

It is very crucial to note that Covenant Academy will start out as a simple proprietorship, owned by its founder. We believe that as the operation grows, the owner will consider re-registering as a Limited Liability Company or as a corporation, whichever will better suit the future business needs.

Every possible threats and analyses have been considered, and the future we see for Covenant Academy is as bright as the sun. We have analysed the possible place we wish to spend our start up capital and they include:

• Business incorporating fees in the United States of America will cost – $750.
• The budget for Liability insurance, permits and license will cost – $3,500
• Acquiring a facility / property that will accommodate the number of kids that we want to take care of for at least 6 months (Re – Construction of the facility inclusive) will cost – $35,000.
• Equipping the office (computers, printers, projectors, markers, pens and pencils, furniture, telephones, filing cabinets, and electronics) will cost – $10,000
• The budget for paying staff members and utility bills for at least 3 months – $70,000
• The budget for start – up inventories (toiletries, toys, cots, and mats et al) – $2,500
• Launching an official Website will cost – $500
• Additional Expenditure such as Business cards, Signage, Adverts and Promotions will cost – $5,000

From the above projection, we need approximately $250,000 to start Covenant Academy, and we have made all possible plans to raise the said amount.

Generating Funding / Start-up Capital for Covenant Academy

We at Covenant Academy understand that adequate funding will go a long way to make sure you achieve your desired goal. Finance basically is a very crucial factor when it comes to building any business, and building a successful business is not a one day job but a continuous job that requires consistency and hard work.

Covenant Academy is the dream of Craig Sissy, who is the founder and owner of Covenant Academy, and will be managing the daily operations of the facility. We have decided to start up the business as a sole proprietorship business, and will sponsor the business solely, but we consider other sources as the business grows. For now the strategies we hope to raise funds may include:

• Raising part of the start – up capital from personal savings
• Raising part of the start – up capital from family members and friends (soft loans and gifts et al)
• Raising a larger chunk of the start-up capital from the banks (loan facility).

14. Sustainability and Expansion Strategy

We at Covenant Academy believe that we will be offering child care/development for toddlers age three to five, and that we will be targeting double income professional families who, because of work obligations, do not have the time during the day to care for their child.

We at Covenant Academy are very keen to get to families that are hungry to offer their kids something more than simple baby-sitting facilities, those individuals who like their children to be registered in a program that offers development of many different skills including: socialization skills, arts and crafts, large muscle group workouts, reading, numbers, etc.

We at Covenant Academy plan to make use of our facility tour to impress our prospective clients. We believe that our facilities were custom designed to achieve very specific educational goals and we are very proud to have it. We believe that these tours will occur during the day and will serve as a perfect opportunity for prospective patrons to view the care as it is occurring.

We hope and trust that this strategy will serve to build a trust bond between Covenant Academy and the parent who naturally is cautious about leaving the child with strangers to have the child cared for and taught the entire day.

We at Covenant Academy believe that in case of an economic downturn, we may face a decline in our incomes. But we believe that the demand for parents that want to register their children in our care will keep increasing steadily. Which means that Covenant Academy will always remain profitable and our cash flow will remain positive at all times despite certain drawbacks in the economy.

Checklist/Milestone

• Business Name Availability Check: Completed
• Business Incorporation: Completed
• Opening of Corporate Bank Accounts various banks in the United States: Completed
• Opening Online Payment Platforms: Completed
• Application and Obtaining Tax Payer’s ID: In Progress
• Application for business license and permit: Completed
• Purchase of All form of Insurance for the Business: Completed
• Conducting Feasibility Studies: Completed
• Leasing, renovating and equipping our facility: Completed
• Generating part of the start – up capital from the founder: Completed
• Applications for Loan from our Bankers: In Progress
• Writing of Business Plan: Completed
• Drafting of Employee’s Handbook: Completed
• Drafting of Contract Documents: In Progress
• Design of The Company’s Logo: Completed
• Graphic Designs and Printing of Packaging Marketing / Promotional Materials: Completed
• Recruitment of employees: In Progress
• Purchase of the needed software applications, furniture, office equipment, electronic appliances and facility facelift: In progress
• Creating Official Website for the Company: In Progress
• Creating Awareness for the business (Business PR): In Progress
• Health and Safety and Fire Safety Arrangement: In Progress
• Establishing business relationship with banks, financial lending institutions, vendors and key players in the industry: In Progress

More on School

Unlock Your Entrepreneurial Spirit: Launching a Profitable Nursery School Business

Related blogs.

• From ABC to $$$: The Surprising Profitability of Nursery Schools
• From Cost to Opportunity: The Insider's Guide to Opening a Nursery School
• Boost Your Nursery School's Success with These Top 7 KPI Metrics

Welcome to our comprehensive guide on how to open a nursery school business in 10 easy steps. The early childhood education industry has witnessed remarkable growth in recent years, with a global market size of over $480 billion. According to the National Institute for Early Education Research, 33% of four-year-olds in the US are enrolled in state pre-K programs, indicating a growing demand for quality early childhood education.

Starting a nursery school business can be an incredibly fulfilling and profitable venture. However, the process can be quite daunting without proper guidance. If you're considering launching a nursery school business, this article is for you. We've compiled 10 crucial steps that will guide you through the process from developing a business plan to monitoring and improving services. Trust us, this is the only article you need to read to launch a successful nursery school business.

Whether you are a teacher looking to start something on your own, an entrepreneur searching for the next big idea, or a parent that wants to create a comfortable and safe environment for their child's early education, this blog post has all the information you need. We'll help you avoid common errors and pitfalls, streamline your process, and make your journey easier.

So, without further ado, let's dive into our 10 easy steps to open a nursery school business!

• Step 1: Develop a business plan
• Step 2: Calculate the financial model
• Step 3: Research the location/area
• Step 4: Determine funding
• Step 5: Invest in human resources
• Step 6: Secure necessary permits & licenses
• Step 7: Prepare premises/space
• Step 8: Market & advertise services
• Step 9: Arrange partnerships & contacts
• Step 10: Monitor & improve services

This list covers all aspects of starting and launching a successful nursery school business. As we take you through each step, we'll give you insider tips and tricks to give you a competitive edge and increase your chances of success.

1. Develop A Business Plan

Starting a nursery school business is an exciting venture, but it requires careful planning. The first step in the process is to develop a comprehensive business plan that outlines your goals, strategies, and financial projections. Here are some key elements to include:

• Executive summary: Briefly describe your business, its mission, and its target market.
• Market analysis: Research the demand for nursery schools in your area, and identify your target customers.
• Services and pricing: Describe the services you will offer, including hours of operation, curricula, and pricing. Consider offering different packages to meet the needs of different families.
• Marketing and sales strategies: Explain how you will promote your business and reach your target customers. This may include social media, advertising, and networking.
• Financial projections: Estimate your startup costs, and develop a projected income statement and balance sheet. This will help you assess your financial viability and plan for the future.

Tips & Tricks:

• Be realistic: Your business plan should be based on sound research and reasonable assumptions. Avoid overestimating revenue and underestimating costs.
• Get feedback: Share your business plan with trusted advisors, such as mentors or business coaches. They can provide valuable feedback and help you refine your ideas.
• Update regularly: Your business plan is not a static document. As you gather new information and insights, revise your plan to reflect changing circumstances.

2. Calculate The Financial Model

Calculating the financial model is a critical step when starting a nursery school business. It helps you to determine the feasibility of the business idea and also acts as a guide for budgeting and making financial projections. Here are the steps involved in calculating the financial model:

• Determine the startup costs: List all the expenses that you will incur to start the nursery school business. This includes the cost of leasing a property, purchasing equipment, licensing fees, insurance, and marketing costs.
• Estimate your cash flow: Determine your monthly cash flow by considering the revenue sources such as tuition fees, grants, and donations. Also, take into account the monthly expenses, including salaries, rent, and utilities.
• Calculate your profitability: Profitability is the key to sustaining a business. Determine the profitability of your nursery school by subtracting your expenses from your revenue.
• Create a financial projection: Use the financial data gathered to create a financial projection for at least the first three years of operation. This provides a realistic estimate of the financial health and viability of the business.
• Consider hiring a financial expert: If you are not confident with your financial planning and projection skills, you may hire a financial expert to help you. This is especially important when seeking investors or loans from financial institutions.
• Be conservative with projections: It's important to be realistic with your financial projections. Avoid overestimating your revenue and underestimating expenses. This can lead to financial difficulties and unexpected surprises in the future.
• Review your financial plan regularly: As your business grows and evolves, your financial plan should be reviewed regularly. This helps you to adapt to any changes and identify areas that need improvement.

Calculating the financial model is a critical step that determines the success of your nursery school business. It helps you to identify the start-up costs, cash flow, profitability, and create a realistic financial projection. By following these steps, you can build a strong foundation for your business and ensure its longevity.

3. Research The Location/Area

One of the significant aspects of opening a successful nursery school is choosing the right location. Your location determines the number of students you can attract and how accessible your school is to parents and students. Therefore, conducting thorough research on the location and the surrounding area is crucial for the success of your nursery school business. Here are the steps you can take to research the location and the area:

• Identify your target market: Start by identifying your target market. The target market could be working parents, stay-at-home parents, or parents who live in a specific area. Once you have identified your target market, you can start looking for a location that suits your target market's needs.
• Look for an accessible location: Ensure that the location of your nursery school is easily accessible to parents and students. You may consider locations near residential areas, public transport routes, or easily accessible by car or foot.
• Check nearby competition: Conduct research on the existing nursery schools in the area and evaluate their strengths and weaknesses. Consider if there is room for you to offer unique services that will attract more parents to your nursery school.
• Check the suitability of the location: Evaluate the area to ensure that it is suitable for a nursery school. Consider the availability of public services such as water and electricity, and the infrastructure, such as playing fields, classrooms, and office space.
• Check the local laws and regulations: Before you finalize on a location, check the local laws and regulations guiding the operations of nursery schools in the area. Ensure that the location permits the establishment of a nursery school and that the required licenses and permits are obtainable in the area.

Tips & Trics

• Consider conducting an online survey to gather information from parents about their preferences for location and services.
• Visit the location at different times to evaluate factors such as traffic, noise levels, and security.
• Consider hiring a real estate agent who is familiar with the area to help you find suitable locations.

4. Determine Funding

Starting a nursery school business requires a significant amount of investment. It is crucial to determine the funding sources before launching the business. Here are the steps to determine the funding for your nursery school business:

• Assess the initial investment: To determine the initial investment, calculate the cost of purchasing or leasing a property, renovating the space, buying equipment and supplies, hiring staff, marketing, and legal fees.
• Explore financing options: You can explore financing options such as loans from banks, small business administrations, and grants from government or private organizations. Ensure to get all the necessary documentation, including business plan, projected cash flow, personal credit score, and collateral (if required).
• Consider crowdfunding: Crowdfunding is a less traditional option to consider, and it can help secure initial funding. Crowdfunding platforms like KickStarter or GoFundMe can allow you to raise funds if you can present a compelling pitch.
• Personal savings and investors: Using your personal savings or finding investors can be helpful in starting a nursery school business. Ensure to have a well-prepared business plan and include the details of what the investors will earn from their investment.
• Always have a backup plan in case your financing doesn't turn out as expected.
• Consider partnering with a non-profit organization or applying for grants.
• Make sure to maintain steady cash flow.

Determining funding is just one of the many crucial steps that should not be overlooked in starting a successful nursery school business. With proper planning, the right funding, and a making careful decision, you can start your dream nursery school business.

5. Invest In Human Resources

When starting a nursery school business, it is important to invest in your human resources. The teachers and staff you hire will be the backbone of your school, and their skills and knowledge will be reflected in the quality of education and care your students receive. Here are some key ways to invest in your human resources:

• Hire Qualified and Experienced Teachers: Look for teachers who have a degree in Early Childhood Education or a related field, as well as experience working with young children. Conduct thorough interviews and background checks to ensure you are hiring the best candidates.
• Provide Ongoing Professional Development: Plan regular training and development opportunities for your teachers and staff. This will enhance their skills and keep them up-to-date with the latest teachings and trends in early childhood education.
• Create a Positive and Supportive Work Environment: Foster a culture of respect, teamwork and communication in your nursery school. This will help your teachers and staff feel valued and motivated in their work and provide a better working experience.

Tips & Tricks to Invest in Human Resources

• Offer incentives for your teachers and staff such as bonuses, vacation time or flexible schedules to encourage retention and commitment.
• Encourage feedback and suggestions from your employees regarding ways to improve the functioning of the school.
• Develop a healthy work-life balance by providing your employees with breaks, time-off and other employee wellness benefits.

By investing in your human resources, you will not only ensure a high-quality education and care for your students, but also create a positive and productive work environment for your staff that will lead to a loyal and committed team of teachers working in your nursery school.

6. Secure Necessary Permits & Licenses

Before you start your nursery school business, it is important to secure the necessary permits and licenses. This will ensure that your business is legal and compliant with the regulations in your area. Without these permits and licenses, you risk fines, legal action, and even closure of your business.

The requirements for permits and licenses vary depending on where you are located and the type of nursery school business you plan to start. Research the regulations in your area and make sure you comply with all the requirements. Here are some common permits and licenses you may need to obtain:

• Business license
• Zoning permit
• Building permit
• Health department permit
• Fire department permit
• Childcare license

You may also need to obtain insurance policies, such as liability insurance and workers' compensation insurance, to protect your business and employees.

Tips & Tricks

• Contact your local government office to learn about the necessary permits and licenses for your nursery school business.
• Consult with an experienced attorney or business consultant to ensure you have all the necessary permits and licenses in place.
• Check if there are any ongoing fees or renewals required for your permits and licenses.

Keep in mind that the process of obtaining permits and licenses can take time and involve paperwork. Make sure to plan ahead and allow enough time to complete the process before your planned opening date.

Finally, remember to display your permits and licenses in a prominent location at your nursery school business. This will show your customers that you are a legitimate business and that you take compliance seriously.

7. Prepare Premises/Space

One of the crucial steps to launching a successful nursery school business is to prepare the premises or space where your business will operate. This process involves several activities that will ensure that your school is safe, secure, and conducive for learning.

• Find a suitable location: Before you can prepare your premises, you need to find a suitable location for your nursery school business. Ensure that the location is accessible, safe, and has enough space for your students and staff.
• Get the necessary permits and licenses: To operate a nursery school business, you need to have the necessary permits and licenses from the relevant authorities. These permits and licenses vary by state and country, so you need to research and obtain the ones that apply to your location.
• Set up the physical space: Once you have the necessary permits and licenses, you can start setting up the physical space for your nursery school. This process involves designing the layout, painting, decorating, and installing necessary fixtures and equipment such as furniture, toys, and learning aids.
• Safety and security measures: As a nursery school owner, safety and security should be your top priority. Ensure that your premises have safety measures in place such as fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, and emergency exits. Additionally, you need to install security measures such as CCTV cameras, alarms, and access control systems to prevent unauthorized access.
• Maintain cleanliness and hygiene: Maintain high levels of cleanliness and hygiene to prevent the spread of diseases and infections. Have a schedule for cleaning the premises, and ensure that you have adequate cleaning supplies such as detergents, mops, and brooms. Also, emphasize the importance of personal hygiene to your students and staff.
• Invest in quality equipment and fixtures. This will save you money in the long run since you won't have to repair or replace them frequently.
• Have a contingency plan in place. In case of emergencies such as natural disasters or power outages, have a plan to evacuate your students safely and communicate with their parents or guardians.
• Make your nursery school business eco-friendly. Use eco-friendly materials and practices to reduce your carbon footprint and promote sustainability.

Preparing your premises or space for your nursery school business can be a daunting task, but it is crucial to the success of your business. By following the above steps and tips, you can ensure that your nursery school is safe, secure, and conducive for learning. With a well-prepared space, you can provide high-quality education to your students and attract more enrolments.

8. Market & Advertise Services

After setting up your nursery school and putting all the required steps in place, the next thing is to market and advertise your services. Marketing your nursery school is important in order to create awareness and attract potential customers.

• Have a website that highlights your services and facilities.
• Create social media pages to engage with potential customers.
• Offer discounts to early bird customers or for referrals.

Below are the steps you can take to market your nursery school:

• 1. Create a website: Creating a website for your nursery school is essential in the digital age. Ensure your website is informative and user-friendly. It should contain information such as your school's location, facilities, programs, vision and fees.
• 2. Social media: Create social media pages such as Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter to engage with potential customers. Share relevant content such as educational articles, activities and events that your school is organizing.
• 3. Referrals: Encourage satisfied parents to refer others to your nursery school. Offer discounts or incentives for referrals.
• 4. Advertise: Advertise your school by placing ads in local newspapers, magazines or by using Google Ads.
• 5. Open days: Organize open days where parents can visit your school and experience first-hand what you have to offer.
• 6. Attend events: Attend local events such as fairs and festivals to increase awareness of your nursery school.
• 7. Collaborate: Collaborate with other businesses such as children's clothing stores, toy stores and other educational services to promote your nursery school.
• 8. Flyers: Distribute flyers to homes, offices, and areas where parents congregate.
• 9. Refurbish your Nursery school: Your school should be aesthetically pleasing. Ensure your school is clean and well-maintained. You could also add features such as a playground, paintings or murals to make the environment attractive and appealing to children.
• 10. Public Relations: Get involved in your local community to create awareness about your nursery school. Attend seminars, education-related events, and collaborate with other organizations to improve your reputation.

In conclusion, marketing and advertising your nursery school is crucial for attracting potential clients. With the right marketing strategy, you can successfully launch your nursery school business and maintain a steady stream of clients.

9. Arrange Partnerships & Contacts

Starting a nursery school business involves more than just finding a location and hiring staff. You need to build strong relationships with partners and contacts who can help you succeed. This chapter will guide you through the steps to arrange partnerships and contacts for your nursery school business.

1. Identify Potential Partners

Partnerships can help your nursery school business thrive by providing resources, connections, and support. Identify potential partners by reaching out to other local businesses, parent-teacher associations, and community organizations. Consider partnerships with health care providers, after-school programs, and local libraries.

• Reach out to local businesses through networking events or online directories
• Join parent-teacher associations and attend meetings to network with other education professionals
• Connect with community organizations to identify potential partnerships

2. Establish Contacts with Licensing Agencies

Before opening your nursery school business, you need to obtain licenses and permits from state and local agencies. Establishing contacts with these agencies can help you navigate the licensing process and ensure compliance with regulations.

• Contact your state's department of education or department of licensing to understand the requirements for opening a nursery school
• Reach out to local zoning boards to ensure your location is zoned for educational use
• Contact health departments to learn about hygiene and sanitation requirements

3. Build Relationships with Suppliers

Suppliers can provide your nursery school business with essential goods and services like food, toys, and cleaning supplies. Building relationships with suppliers can help you negotiate better prices and ensure timely delivery of goods.

• Reach out to local suppliers to establish relationships for necessary goods and services
• Join buying groups or cooperatives to take advantage of bulk purchasing discounts
• Attend trade shows or conferences to learn about new products and suppliers
• Reach out to local businesses, schools, and churches to see if they have unused inventory to donate or sell at a discount
• Create a loyalty program for suppliers to encourage repeat business
• Consider environmentally-friendly suppliers for cleaning products, food, and toys

4. Network with Industry Professionals

Networking with industry professionals can help you stay informed on best practices and current trends in the nursery school business. Attend conferences, workshops, and seminars to connect with other education professionals and experts.

• Join industry associations like the National Association for the Education of Young Children or the International Association for Childcare Professionals
• Attend conferences and workshops to learn about new research and best practices in early childhood education
• Connect with experts in the field through online forums or webinars

5. Establish Relationships with Financial Institutions

Establishing relationships with financial institutions can help you secure loans, manage cash flow, and plan for growth. Research different financing options and choose a bank or credit union that meets the needs of your nursery school business.

• Meet with bankers or loan officers to discuss financing options
• Establish a line of credit or business credit card for managing expenses
• Explore grant programs or fundraising opportunities for non-profit nursery schools

10. Monitor & Improve Services

After the successful launch of your nursery school business, it's important to monitor and improve your services to ensure you are providing the best possible education and care to the children. Here are some key steps to follow when monitoring and improving your services:

• Conduct regular evaluations: Set up a system to regularly evaluate your program and services. This can include parent feedback forms, staff evaluations, and assessments of the curriculum. Use this feedback to make changes and improvements where necessary.
• Stay up-to-date on industry standards and regulations: The education and childcare industry is constantly changing, so it's important to stay current on any new regulations, standards, or best practices. Attend industry conferences and workshops to stay informed and make changes accordingly.
• Continuously train and develop staff: Invest in your staff by providing regular professional development opportunities, such as workshops and seminars. This will ensure that your staff stays up-to-date on the latest developments in the industry, and can provide the highest level of care to the children in your program.
• Use technology to streamline processes: Utilize technology to streamline administrative processes and improve communication with parents. This can include an online parent portal for fee payments, automated attendance tracking, and regular email updates on the child's progress.
• Implement safety procedures: Ensure the safety of the children by implementing strict safety procedures, including emergency drills and thorough background checks on all staff members.
• Encourage parent involvement: Encourage parents to get involved in the nursery school program by providing regular updates on their child's progress, inviting them to special events, and allowing the parents to provide feedback on the program.
• Regularly communicate with parents to establish trust and build relationships.
• Create a welcoming and positive environment for children and families.
• Continuously evaluate and improve the curriculum to ensure children are learning and growing in a safe and nurturing environment.

By following these steps, you can ensure that your nursery school business stays competitive and provides excellent education and care to the children and families you serve.

5-Year Excel

MAC & PC Compatible

Immediate Download

Related Articles

The surprising truth about profitability in the appliance store industry: a deep dive into the numbers, why investing in an alcohol treatment center is more profitable than you think, counting the profits: a closer look at the profitability of accounting agencies, the art of boosting profits in your a la carte restaurant: a comprehensive guide, airbnb: unpacking the profitability of one of the world's most successful companies., the untold story of how car washes are making a fortune: discover the profit potential today, pedaling to profit: unveiling the lucrative world of bicycle couriers, thirsty for success discover the untapped profit potential of running a beer bar, the beauty within profits: discovering the lucrative world of beauty salons, unlocking the profit potential: how to make your beach hotel more profitable, leave a comment.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Please note, comments must be approved before they are published

How To Write a Business Plan for Nursery School in 9 Steps: Checklist

By alex ryzhkov, resources on nursery school.

• Financial Model
• Business Plan
• Value Proposition
• One-Page Business Plan
• SWOT Analysis
• Business Model
• Marketing Plan

Welcome to our blog post on how to write a business plan for a nursery school in 9 simple steps. Nursery schools play a crucial role in early childhood education, providing a nurturing environment where young children can learn, grow, and develop essential skills. According to recent statistics, the nursery school industry is experiencing significant growth, with a projected annual growth rate of 5.6% over the next five years. If you're passionate about education and want to make a positive impact on young minds, starting a nursery school can be a rewarding venture. In this article, we'll guide you through the essential steps to create a comprehensive business plan for your nursery school.

The first step in creating a successful nursery school business plan is to conduct market research . This involves gathering data on the local demand for early childhood education, identifying potential customers, and understanding their needs and preferences.

Once you have gathered the necessary market data, it's important to identify your target market and analyze the demographics of the area. This will help you tailor your curriculum, activities, and services to meet the specific needs of the children and parents in your community.

Next, you'll need to analyze the competition . Research existing nursery schools in your area to understand their offerings, pricing, and reputation. This will help you identify opportunities for differentiation and determine your unique selling proposition.

After analyzing the market and competition, it's time to determine your startup costs and budget . This includes everything from acquiring a suitable location and setting up the necessary infrastructure to purchasing educational materials and hiring qualified staff.

Securing financing or investment is often a crucial step in starting a nursery school. Whether you choose to self-fund, seek loans, or attract investors, it's essential to have a comprehensive financial plan that demonstrates the viability and profitability of your business.

Developing a unique value proposition is key to standing out in a saturated market. Consider what sets your nursery school apart from the competition and how you can add value to parents and children. Your unique selling points may include specialized curriculum, qualified teachers, extracurricular activities, or parent support programs.

Establishing a business structure and addressing legal requirements is crucial for the smooth operation of your nursery school. This includes registering your business, obtaining necessary licenses and permits, and complying with local regulations and safety standards.

A strong marketing strategy is vital to attracting parents and filling your nursery school's enrollment. Utilize various marketing channels such as social media, local advertising, and word-of-mouth referrals. Consider organizing open houses, offering free trials, or partnering with local businesses to increase visibility.

In the final step, outline your operational plans and processes . This includes defining your curriculum, hiring and training staff, setting schedules and routines, implementing safety measures, and establishing communication systems with parents. Creating a detailed operational plan will help streamline your nursery school's day-to-day operations and ensure a consistent and high-quality learning experience.

By following these 9 essential steps, you'll be well on your way to creating a comprehensive business plan for your nursery school. Stay tuned for our upcoming blog posts, where we'll delve deeper into each step to provide you with practical tips and insights. Start your journey towards making a positive impact on young children's lives today!

Conduct Market Research

Before starting a nursery school, it is crucial to conduct thorough market research. This step will provide valuable insights into the demand for such a business in your target area and help you make informed decisions throughout the planning process.

Begin by identifying the local population and demographics in your target market. Understand the number of families with young children, their income levels, and their educational aspirations for their kids. This data will guide your decisions regarding the size and scope of your nursery school.

Furthermore, it is vital to analyze local demand for early childhood education services. Consider surveying parents and caregivers in your area to understand their preferences and expectations. This feedback will help you tailor your curriculum and services to meet the needs of your potential customers.

Tips for Conducting Market Research:

• Utilize online resources, such as government databases and educational associations, to gather demographic information.
• Reach out to local parents' groups, community centers, and schools to gain insights into the demand for nursery schools in your area.
• Consider conducting focus groups or interviews with potential customers to understand their specific needs and preferences.
• Research local regulations and licensing requirements for nursery schools to ensure compliance.

By thoroughly conducting market research, you will have a solid foundation to build your business plan for a nursery school. This step will enable you to make data-driven decisions that align with the needs and expectations of your target market.

Identify Target Market And Demographics

One of the crucial steps in creating a successful business plan for a nursery school is identifying the target market and understanding their demographics. This information will help you tailor your offerings and services to meet the needs and preferences of your prospective customers.

1. Define your ideal customers: Begin by clearly defining the characteristics of your target market. Consider factors such as age, income level, education level, and location. For a nursery school, your target market will primarily consist of parents and caregivers with young children.

• Use surveys or focus groups to gather information about your potential customers and their preferences.
• Consider conducting market research to identify the demand for nursery school services in your area.
• Understand the specific needs of parents in terms of the learning environment, curriculum, and additional support services.

2. Analyze demographics: Once you have defined your target market, analyze their demographics to gain deeper insights. Look at factors like age distribution, household income, and educational background. This information will help you understand the purchasing power and preferences of your target customers.

• Review census data, local market reports, and online resources to gather demographic information about your target market.
• Consider conducting surveys or interviews with prospective customers to gain more specific insights into their needs and preferences.
• Identify any niche markets or specific segments within your target market that may require specialized services.

3. Research market trends: Stay informed about the latest trends and developments in the nursery school industry. This will help you understand the evolving needs of your target market and adapt your business plan accordingly. Keep an eye on changing demographics, emerging educational approaches, and technological advancements that may affect your business.

• Subscribe to industry publications, attend conferences, and join professional associations to stay updated on industry trends.
• Follow relevant social media groups and forums to connect with other professionals in the nursery school industry.
• Regularly review and analyze market research reports to gain insights into the preferences and expectations of your target market.

By thoroughly identifying your target market and understanding their demographics, you can develop a nursery school business plan that caters precisely to their needs and expectations. This knowledge will not only help you create a compelling value proposition but also ensure the long-term success of your nursery school.

Analyze Competition

Analyzing your competition is a crucial step in developing a successful business plan for a nursery school. Understanding your competitors will allow you to identify gaps in the market and find ways to differentiate your nursery school from others in the industry.

To start, research and identify other nursery schools in your target area. Look for schools that offer similar services and cater to the same age range as your planned nursery school. Take note of the services they provide, their pricing, and their overall reputation in the community.

Compile a list of the top competing nursery schools and conduct a thorough analysis of each one. This can include evaluating their strengths and weaknesses, their unique selling points, and any potential threats they may pose to your nursery school's success.

• Look at their curriculum and teaching approaches. Are they focusing on specific areas of development or providing a well-rounded education?
• Consider their facilities and resources. What kind of learning environment are they providing for the children?
• Research their pricing structure. Are they offering competitive rates? What additional services are included in their fees?
• Observe their reputation and community involvement. Are they well-regarded by parents and have a strong presence in the local community?

Tips to consider when analyzing your competition:

• Visit the competing nursery schools in person if possible, to get a firsthand experience of their operations.
• Talk to parents who have enrolled their children at these schools to gauge their satisfaction levels.
• Utilize online resources, such as reviews and testimonials, to gather insights into the strengths and weaknesses of your competitors.
• Consider conducting a SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) analysis to have a comprehensive understanding of your competitors' positions in the market.

By thoroughly analyzing your competition, you can identify opportunities to differentiate your nursery school, tailor your offerings to meet the needs of your target market, and ultimately position your business for success.

Determine Startup Costs And Budget

When starting a nursery school, it is crucial to determine the startup costs and budget to ensure the financial feasibility of your business plan. By accurately assessing the upfront expenses and ongoing costs, you can plan and allocate your resources effectively.

To determine the startup costs , you will need to create a comprehensive list of all the expenses involved in setting up your nursery school. This may include:

• Property lease or purchase
• Interior and exterior renovations
• Furniture and equipment
• Technology and educational resources
• Staff salaries and benefits
• Marketing and advertising
• Administrative and legal fees

Once you have identified the startup expenses, it is important to create a budget that outlines your projected income and expenses over a specific time period. This budget will help you estimate your revenue streams, such as tuition fees and additional services, and compare them to your anticipated costs.

• Be thorough when researching and pricing all necessary items for your nursery school to avoid any unexpected expenses.
• Consider seeking quotes from multiple suppliers and service providers to ensure you are getting the best possible prices.
• It is beneficial to build in a contingency fund in your budget to account for unforeseen expenses or emergencies.
• Regularly review and update your budget as your nursery school grows and evolves.

By accurately determining the startup costs and meticulously planning your budget, you can set realistic financial goals and make informed decisions to ensure the success and sustainability of your nursery school.

Secure Financing Or Investment

One of the crucial steps in establishing a successful nursery school is securing the necessary financing or investment to fund your business venture. This step requires careful planning and consideration to ensure that you have the resources needed to start and maintain your nursery school.

Here are some important considerations when securing financing or investment:

• Research and identify potential sources of funding: Start by researching and identifying potential sources of funding for your nursery school. This may include personal savings, loans from financial institutions, grants, or investment from individuals or organizations.
• Evaluate your financial needs: Determine the amount of funding you will require to cover your startup costs and ongoing expenses. This may include expenses such as facility rental, staff salaries, educational materials, marketing, and administrative costs.
• Create a detailed financial plan: Develop a comprehensive financial plan that outlines your projected income and expenses for at least the first three years of your nursery school's operation. This plan will help you demonstrate to potential investors or lenders that you have a solid understanding of your business's financial viability.
• Prepare a convincing business proposal: Create a compelling business proposal that clearly articulates the value and potential of your nursery school. This proposal should include information about your target market, competitive analysis, marketing strategy, and financial projections. It should also highlight why your nursery school is a promising investment opportunity.
• Seek funding or investment: Once you have prepared your financial plan and business proposal, start reaching out to potential investors or lenders to secure the necessary financing. This may involve attending networking events, pitching your business to investors, or applying for loans or grants.
• Consider seeking guidance from a financial advisor or consultant who specializes in the education sector. They can provide valuable insights and assistance in securing financing or investment for your nursery school.
• Explore crowdfunding platforms or community fundraising initiatives as alternative sources of funding for your nursery school.
• Be prepared for potential rejections or delays in securing financing. Persistence is key, and it may require multiple attempts or alternative funding avenues to secure the necessary resources.

By diligently seeking funding or investment opportunities, you can secure the financial backing needed to turn your nursery school business idea into a reality. Remember to present yourself and your business in a professional manner, demonstrating your passion, expertise, and commitment to providing a high-quality education experience for young children.

Develop a Unique Value Proposition

When starting a nursery school, it is crucial to develop a unique value proposition that sets your school apart from the competition. A unique value proposition is a statement that communicates the unique benefits and value that your nursery school offers to parents and children. It is what differentiates you from other schools in the market and attracts customers.

Here are some tips to help you develop a compelling and unique value proposition for your nursery school:

Identify your target audience's needs and preferences

• Understand the needs and preferences of parents in your target market. What are they looking for in a nursery school?
• Consider the age group you are catering to and how your curriculum and approach address their specific developmental needs.

Highlight the unique features and benefits

• Identify the unique features and benefits your nursery school offers. This could include specialized programs, highly trained staff, advanced learning resources, or a supportive community.
• Focus on what makes your nursery school stand out and why parents should choose your school over others.

Showcase testimonials and success stories

• Highlight positive feedback and testimonials from satisfied parents and children who have benefited from your nursery school.
• Share success stories of students who have excelled academically or developed important skills through your programs.

A strong and unique value proposition will not only attract prospective parents but also help build trust and credibility in your nursery school. It will demonstrate your commitment to providing an exceptional learning environment for young children and differentiate your school from the competition.

Establish a Business Structure and Legal Requirements

When starting a nursery school, it is crucial to establish a solid business structure and ensure compliance with all legal requirements. This step will give your venture a strong foundation and protect you legally and financially.

1. Choose a Business Structure: Select a legal structure that best suits your nursery school, such as a sole proprietorship, partnership, or limited liability company (LLC). Each structure has its own advantages and considerations, so it is advisable to consult with a lawyer or accountant to determine the best option for your specific needs.

2. Register Your Business: Register your nursery school with the appropriate government agencies and obtain all the necessary licenses and permits. This typically includes registering your business name, applying for a tax identification number, and obtaining any required health and safety certificates.

3. Draft Contracts and Policies: Develop comprehensive contracts and policies that clarify the terms and conditions of enrollment, payment schedules, liability waivers, and other important matters. These documents will protect both your nursery school and the families you serve, ensuring a clear understanding of expectations and responsibilities.

4. Secure Insurance: Obtain the necessary insurance coverage to protect your nursery school from potential risks and liabilities. This may include general liability insurance, workers' compensation insurance, and property insurance. It is essential to review your chosen coverage with an insurance professional to ensure proper protection.

5. Hire Legal and Financial Professionals: Consider engaging the services of a lawyer and an accountant experienced in childcare and education businesses. They can provide valuable guidance on legal matters, help you navigate complex regulations, and ensure your financial records are accurate and compliant.

Here are some important tips to consider:

• Consult with an attorney specializing in educational law to ensure compliance with all regulations and requirements.
• Develop a clear structure and hierarchy within your nursery school, including roles and responsibilities for staff members.
• Regularly review and update your contracts, policies, and procedures to reflect any changes in regulations or best practices.
• Maintain accurate records of student and staff information, financial transactions, and compliance-related documentation.
• Establish a strong privacy policy and obtain consent from parents before collecting any personal information about their children.

By establishing a solid business structure and addressing all legal requirements, you can focus on providing a nurturing and enriching learning environment for young children while ensuring the long-term success and sustainability of your nursery school.

Create A Marketing Strategy

A strong marketing strategy is crucial for the success of any business, including a nursery school. It helps to establish your brand, attract potential parents, and differentiate your nursery school from competitors. Here are the key steps to create an effective marketing strategy:

1. Define your target audience:

• Determine the age range, geographic location, and other characteristics of the parents you want to attract.
• Consider conducting surveys or focus groups to better understand their needs and preferences.

2. Set clear marketing objectives:

• Identify specific goals you want to achieve through your marketing efforts, such as increasing enrollment or improving brand awareness.
• Ensure that your objectives are measurable and aligned with your overall business goals.

3. Develop your unique selling proposition (USP):

• Highlight what makes your nursery school stand out from the competition.
• Focus on the benefits and value you offer to parents and children, such as the engaging learning environment or the comprehensive learning curriculum.

4. Choose the right marketing channels:

• Consider using a combination of online and offline channels to reach your target audience.
• Online channels may include a professional website, social media platforms, and email marketing.
• Offline channels could involve local advertising, community events, and networking with other child-related businesses.

5. Create compelling content:

• Develop content that educates and engages potential parents, such as blog posts, informative videos, or downloadable resources.
• Showcase the unique features and benefits of your nursery school and emphasize the positive impact it can have on a child's development.

6. Implement a consistent brand image:

• Create a visually appealing and cohesive brand identity that reflects your nursery school's values and mission.
• Use consistent branding elements across all marketing materials, including your website, social media profiles, and offline advertisements.
• Offer special promotions or discounts to attract new families or encourage referrals.
• Collaborate with local businesses or organizations to cross-promote your nursery school.
• Regularly evaluate and analyze the effectiveness of your marketing efforts to make necessary adjustments.

By following these steps and continuously refining your marketing strategy, you can effectively promote your nursery school and attract the right parents who will appreciate the value you offer. Remember to stay up-to-date with industry trends and adapt your marketing approach accordingly to stay ahead of the competition.

Outline Operational Plans and Processes

Once you have determined the strategic aspects of your nursery school business plan, it is essential to outline the operational plans and processes that will keep your school running smoothly and efficiently. By clearly defining these plans and processes, you will ensure that every aspect of your nursery school's daily operations is carefully considered and established.

1. Define the curriculum: Start by clearly outlining the curriculum you will offer to children of different age groups. Specify the subjects to be taught, learning outcomes, and teaching methodologies. Ensure your curriculum aligns with educational standards and guidelines.

2. Develop teaching and learning materials: Create a comprehensive list of teaching resources, such as textbooks, workbooks, and educational tools. Determine the quantity and quality of these materials to support effective teaching and learning.

3. Establish a daily schedule: Design a daily schedule that outlines the activities and routines for children throughout the day. Consider age-appropriate balanced programs that include playtime, educational activities, meals, rest, outdoor time, and specialized classes.

4. Hire qualified staff: Identify the roles and responsibilities you need to fill, such as teachers, assistants, administrative staff, and maintenance personnel. Ensure you recruit qualified professionals who align with your educational philosophy and have a passion for working with young children.

5. Create staff training and development program: Develop a training program to provide ongoing professional development opportunities for your staff, enhancing their skills and knowledge in early childhood education. This will help ensure consistent quality in teaching and care provision.

6. Establish health and safety protocols: Create policies and procedures to maintain the health and safety of children, staff, and visitors. This should include protocols for emergencies, illness prevention, hygiene practices, and regular maintenance of the school premises.

7. Determine enrollment processes: Outline the procedures for admitting new students, including registration, assessment, and enrollment criteria. Develop a system for tracking student information, attendance, and progress.

• Regularly review and update your operational plans and processes to adapt to changing educational requirements and best practices.
• Establish clear communication channels with parents, including regular newsletters, parent-teacher meetings, and an open-door policy to address any concerns or inquiries.
• Implement a continuous improvement system to assess and evaluate the effectiveness of your operational plans and processes, allowing for necessary adjustments.

By outlining your operational plans and processes, you will ensure that your nursery school operates efficiently, attracts students, and provides a nurturing and conducive learning environment for young children.

Writing a business plan for a nursery school requires careful consideration and thorough planning. By following these nine steps, you can ensure that your business plan is comprehensive and effective in outlining your nursery school's goals and strategies. Conducting market research, identifying your target market, analyzing competition, and determining startup costs are essential steps in setting up a successful nursery school.

In addition to financial aspects, developing a unique value proposition that focuses on providing an engaging and interactive learning environment for young children is crucial. Incorporating support for parents, such as childcare and parenting classes, can enhance the overall experience for families and create a strong learning community.

Establishing a solid business structure, complying with legal requirements, and securing financing or investment will help lay a strong foundation for your nursery school's success. A well-crafted marketing strategy will ensure that your nursery school reaches its target audience effectively.

Lastly, outlining operational plans and processes will help ensure smooth day-to-day operations of the nursery school. By following these steps, you can create a comprehensive business plan that demonstrates your nursery school's potential and sets you on the path to success.

$169.00 $99.00 Get Template

Related Blogs

• Starting a Business
• KPI Metrics
• Running Expenses
• Startup Costs
• Pitch Deck Example
• Increasing Profitability
• Sales Strategy
• Rising Capital
• Valuing a Business
• How Much Makes
• Sell a Business
• Business Idea
• How To Avoid Mistakes

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Please note, comments must be approved before they are published

Don't bother with copy and paste.

Get this complete sample business plan as a free text document.

Garden Nursery Business Plan

Start your own garden nursery business plan

Rose Petal Nursery

Executive summary executive summary is a brief introduction to your business plan. it describes your business, the problem that it solves, your target market, and financial highlights.">.

Rose Petal Nursery is dedicated to providing a quality choice for people looking for plant and garden supplies, as well as serving contractors who need a reliable source of products. Our start-up expenses come to $41,500 which includes the cost of the greenhouses ($38,000) and the cost of rent for the land ($1,000). The start-up costs will be financed entirely by Jim and Dan Forester.

We will offer a wide variety of plants, trees, vegetable plants, along with a selection of garden supplies. Most of the plants we sell will be grown in our greenhouses. With a convenient location Rose Petal Nursery intends to successfully market to the residential customer, as well as contractors and renters.

We would like to see a five to ten percent increase in our customer base each year. Our marketing strategy includes providing a knowledgeable staff, affordable prices, a great location, and top notch customer service.

Rose Petal Nursery has been the dream of owners Jim and Dan Forester for many years, and has been a project in the making for the last five years. Jim and Dan will manage all aspects of operations at Rose Petal Nursery. Dan will oversee the staff and be involved with the ordering of merchandise, while Jim will be responsible for the ordering of the garden supplies and tree stock, as well as the maintenance of the greenhouses.

Rose Petal aims to experience a growth rate of 20% in sales for the second year of operation and build upon that as the company grows. With creative marketing, and a quality choice of plants and garden supplies for our customers Rose Petal Nursery intends to make its presence known in the nursery community.

1.1 Objectives

• Maintain an average gross margin at or above 50%.
• Generate an average of $1,000 of sales each business day of each month.
• Realize an annual growth rate of 10% in Year 2.

1.2 Mission

Rose Petal Nursery is dedicated to providing a wide variety of plants and trees in an aesthetic setting. Customer service is extremely important. We want each customer to have a pleasant shopping experience, and it is the intention of our staff to answer questions with expertise and to offer advice when we feel it is needed.

1.3 Keys to Success

The primary keys to success for the company will be based on the following factors:

• Sell products of the highest quality with excellent customer service and support.
• Retain customers to generate repeat purchases and make referrals.
• Continue to expand daily sales by adding to the variety of plants we sell.
• Communicate with our customers through creative advertising.

Company Summary company overview ) is an overview of the most important points about your company—your history, management team, location, mission statement and legal structure.">

Rose Petal Nursery is the dream of brothers Jim and Dan Forester, and has been a project in the making for five years. With an opening date of April of this year, Jim and Dan are seeing the dream of operating a nursery come to fruition. Located on the outskirts of Eugene at 35571 Brookside Rd. Rose Petal Nursery will focus on providing quality bedding, hanging,and vegetable plants, along with a variety of potted trees. Our aim is to serve both residential customers and landscaping contractors. We will also have a variety of garden accessories such as ponds, statues, potting soils, fertilizers, and garden tools. Our start-up requirements will be $100,000.

2.1 Start-up Summary

Our start-up requirements come to $100,000 which includes the first month’s rent of the land for our nursery. The regular rental fee is $1,000 a month. The start-up costs will be financed entirely by Jim and Dan Forester.

2.2 Company Ownership

Jim and Dan Forester are the owners and operators of Rose Petal Nursery. Jim has worked in the nursery industry for over twenty years (with 10 years managing Stoneybrook Nursery). Dan has a degree from Washington State University in agronomy and has worked for the Lane County Extension Agency as a plant specialist advising the local population on the purchase and care of a wide range of plants.

Rose Petal Nursery will offer a wide variety of bedding plants, shrubs, trees, and vegetable plants along with many garden accessories such as fountains, stepping stones, garden tools, fertilizers, and potting soils. Most of the plants will be grown on-site in state-of-the-art greenhouses. Initially though, we will buy full grown plants for our first few months of inventory.

Market Analysis Summary how to do a market analysis for your business plan.">

Rose Petal Nursery target market strategy is based on becoming an attractive choice for homeowners and landscape contractors in the greater Eugene/Springfield region. The target markets we are going to pursue are the residential consumers looking for a wide variety of plants and trees to beautify their residences. Landscape contractors will be attracted by competitive prices and a diverse inventory. People will want to shop at our location because of the superior customer service we will provide. Rose Petal Nursery would like to see a five to ten percent increase in customers annually.

4.1 Market Segmentation

The profile of our customer consists of the following geographic and demographic information:

Geographics

• Our immediate geographic market is the greater Eugene/Springfield metropolitan area with a population of 200,000 people.
• A 100 mile geographic area would want our services, as we become a well known nursery.
• The total target market is estimated at 500,000 people.

Demographics

• Male and Female.
• Married and Single.
• Combined annual income in excess of $50,000.
• Age range of 25 to 80 years, with a median age of 40.
• Own their own houses or townhouses valued at over $150,000.
• Most work out of the home by choice in a variety of work environments.

We know the following regarding the profile of the typical resident of the greater Eugene/Springfield area:

• 50% have lived in the area for 10 or more years.
• 30% are between the ages of 30 and 45 years of age.
• 40% have completed some college.
• 30% are professionals and/or business owners, or managers.
• 60% have children living at home.
• 50% own their own residence.

4.2 Target Market Segment Strategy

Our target market is based on becoming a resource for people looking to buy flowers, trees, and garden supplies. Our marketing strategy centers around superior performance in the following areas.

• Customer service
• Large selection and fair pricing
• Quality products

The target markets are separated into three segments; “Residential, Homeowners,” “Commercial Contractors,” and “Renters”. The primary marketing opportunity is selling to these accessible target market segments that focus on the beautification of peoples’ homes and places of business.

Brought to you by

Create a professional business plan

Using ai and step-by-step instructions.

Secure funding

Validate ideas

Build a strategy

Commercial Contractors — Commercial contractors are important Rose Petal Nursery customers. A consistent inventory, and providing the large quantities contractors need, is important. With prompt and affordable service, contractors will know that they can count on us to meet their needs in a professional manner. Most of the contracting businesses we will service have an annual revenue of at least $50,000 to over $100,000.

Renters — People who do not own their own homes but need flowers and plants to beautify their living spaces make up an important segment of our target market. Many rentals and even apartment complexes have spaces that renters can use to plant gardens. Household income for this group would be in the range of $20,000 to $50,000.

4.3 Industry Analysis

The nursery business is highly competitive, and it is important to maintain a high level of customer service, offer quality products, and give the consumer a wide variety of choices when shopping for plants and trees. Our approach will be to offer a diverse selection of plants, trees, and garden supplies. Exceptional customer service will be important in meeting the needs of our target markets. Healthy plants will be a top priority, and we will display the plants artistically. Plants are a commodity that will always have a market as people consider them to be very important to have around their residences. There are four other nurseries around the greater Lane County area, and we will have to provide top quality service to be succeed.

4.3.1 Competition and Buying Patterns

Current local competition includes the following:

• Lone Pine Nursery — Locally owned, and selling a limited variety of plants, shrubs, trees, and garden products to the general public. This nursery is seasonal focusing on spring and summer flowers. They have a very pleasant facility in which to shop, but prices are a little more on average than Rose Petal’s with not a very good selection of trees and shrubs.
• McKenzie Nursery — Locally owned, offers a limited selection of plants and shrubs with the main emphasis on providing fresh produce in the summer months. Seasonal “U-pick” strawberries, blueberries, and apples are available on the property. Their prices are competitive but the location is not convenient for a lot of people, as it is 25 miles out of town.
• Green Thumb Nursery — Locally owned, offering a variety of plants and trees, as well as, a large selection of garden supplies. Green Thumb most closely matches what we have to offer when talking about plants and shrubs, but they do not have a large enough inventory to service some of the large contractors in the area.

Rose Petal Nursery will provide competitive pricing for its products, and will guarantee to match competitors’ prices, but exceptional customer service and product knowledge will make us stand out to our target markets. The size of our inventory and the variety of choices our customers will have when choosing flowers, trees, and shrubs will make Rose Petal Nursery an attractive choice. Our location is very convenient, only 5 minutes outside the city limits.

Strategy and Implementation Summary

Our strategy is based on serving our customers with expert service and product knowledge.

• We are building our marketing plan to reach homeowners, renters, and contractors.
• We focus on satisfying the needs of our customers.
• We focus on providing quality plants at affordable prices.

5.1 Sales Strategy

The primary sales strategy includes these factors:

• Exceptional customer service
• Exceptional product knowledge
• Large and varied inventory
• Convenient location.

5.1.1 Sales Forecast

The sales forecast is broken down into two main revenue streams: the general public, and contractors. The sales forecast for the upcoming year is based on a modest growth rate for sales. Being a start-up business we are projecting a growth rate of 20%, hoping our advertising will bring in new customers daily.

5.2 Milestones

The milestones chart is accompanied by a table outlining key activities critical to our success.

5.3 Marketing Strategy

Our marketing strategy is based on becoming an option for contractors and the general public to fill their plant and shrubbery needs. Our marketing strategy is based on superior performance in the following areas:

• Knowledgeable staff
• Affordable prices
• Great location.

5.4 Competitive Edge

Rose Petal Nursery will have one of the most extensive and affordable plant and flower selections in the greater Eugene/Springfield area, and a very knowledgeable staff ready to provide unparallel customer service. Contractors looking for a reliable nursery will find Rose Petal very supportive and easy to work with. The ease and convenience of our location is a very big plus.

Management Summary management summary will include information about who's on your team and why they're the right people for the job, as well as your future hiring plans.">

Owners Jim and Dan Forester will oversee and manage all aspects of operation at Rose Petal Nursery. Jim will be responsible for the ordering of garden supplies and tree stock as well as the maintenance of the greenhouses. Dan will be responsible for overseeing staff and working with contractors as well as doing some of the ordering of merchandise.

6.1 Personnel Plan

The personnel plan contains two full-time employees and two part-time employees in addition to Jim and Dan Forester. Jim and Dan will both draw $3,500 per month. The two full-time employees will be paid $2,000 per month to begin with and the two part-time employees will make $1,000 a month. Employees will help customers and care for plants as part of their jobs.

Financial Plan investor-ready personnel plan .">

The financial plan contains these essential factors:

• A growth rate of 20% in sales for the year 2005, to total in excess of $379,000 in total revenues.
• Average in sales per business day (305 days per year) in excess of $900.00.

Difficulties and Risks

• Slow sales resulting in less-than projected cash flow.
• Overly aggressive and debilitating actions by competitors.
• A parallel entry by a new competitor.
• Sluggish economic conditions.

7.1 Important Assumptions

The following critical assumptions will determine the potential for future success.

• A healthy economy that supports moderate growth in our market.
• Low operating expenses, particularly in the area of buying plants that could be grown on-site.

7.2 Break-even Analysis

The following chart and table summarize our break-even analysis. Our fixed costs will be approximately $14,800 per month at the onset and we expect to reach the break-even point in the third year of operation.

7.3 Projected Profit and Loss

7.4 Projected Cash Flow

The cash flow projections are outlined below. These projections are based on our basic assumptions with revenue generation factors carrying the most significant weight regarding the outcome. We are anticipating that we will have a steadily increasing cash flow as the business continues to grow.

7.5 Projected Balance Sheet

Rose Petal Nursery’s balance sheet is outlined below.

7.6 Business Ratios

Business ratios for the years of this plan are shown below. Industry profile ratios based on the Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) Code 5193.02, Flowers and Nursery Stock are shown for comparison.

The following will enable us to keep on track. If we fail in any of these areas, we will need to re-evaluate our business model:

• Gross margins at or above 50%.
• Month-to-month annual comparisons indicate an increase of 15% or greater.
• Do not depend on a credit line to meet cash requirements.

The quickest way to turn a business idea into a business plan

Fill-in-the-blanks and automatic financials make it easy.

No thanks, I prefer writing 40-page documents.

Discover the world’s #1 plan building software

How To Write a Business Plan For a Nursery

Why Write a Business Plan?

• It helps you set a clear statement of your business mission and vision
• Sets values that you can lean upon and steer you through tough times
• You set benchmarks you can use to track your progress and performance
• Gives an analysis of your nursery industry, including any opportunities and threats
• Gives you an insight into your potential customers and what parents may want
• Lets you know how much you will make as well as your likely costs
• Is essential if you hope to get any outside funding

A nursery business plan helps reduce the likelihood of you:

• Running out of cash
• Missing sales projections
• Losing customers due to poor quality
• Becoming overwhelmed by too many tasks or options
• Going bankrupt because you don’t have a plan of how to make money

Remember! Time spent putting together a good business plan is time well spent.  The more time you spend the better prepared you will be.

What a business plan should include.

Your nursery business plan can be in any form you decide and include whatever you want.  Though typically they will include (we will go into more detail on each section later in the article):

• Executive summary: this is a summary of the key points in your business plan. It includes key information like your profit and loss.  It should be short and concise and convey why your business is viable.  You should include any experience you have in childcare here.
• Company Overview: this is where you describe your company and your ethos. Include your mission and vision statement, descriptions of your values, services, ways you’re unique and what opportunities you plan to seize
• Business environment: this section analysis your local nursery industry giving descriptions of direct and potential competitors; and a close look at your customers e.g., their age, employment status, what they want from a nursery etc
• Company Description: here you include information about your staff structure, the different services you offer e.g., part-time, full-time, drop offs etc, your marketing potential and
• Company strategy: puts a strategy going forward for the company
• Marketing Plan: this is where you describe how you plan to reach parents/ customers, make sales and develop loyal customers
• Financial Review: this outlines your current finances as well as what you expect your income and expenditure to be. It would include financial statements like your balance sheet and cash flow statements
• Action Plan: here you detail the steps involved in implementing your business plan
• Appendixes: this section you just put any information to support your business plan. It may include reports, legal documents etc.  It’s used to justify some of the things you have put in the business plan and gives a more rounded understanding of your business plan

Reminder throughout the business plan it is important to make it as simple and concise as possible.

The goal of the business plan is to answer these questions:

• Does the nursery have a good chance of starting and succeeding?
• How much money will the business need to get up and running?
• Who are your customers, and how will you reach them?
• Why parents will choose you instead of your competitors?

It should also help you learn:

• Whether you’re prepared to run the nursery
• How you can turn your passion for children into a profitable business
• What resources you will need
• How much you should and can charge

FREE NURSERY BUSINESS PLAN TEMPLATE

Get a free business plan template, specific for a nursery .

Simply enter your email address below and click subscribe

Where to Start?

I always say start with what you know.

Firstly, start by creating the sections mentioned above.  (Don’t worry we can complete the sections later.)

Then, start by adding to your executive summary and writing about your experience in childcare.  How many years’ experience you have, any qualifications you have, why you got into childcare/ why you want to open and what sort of nursery you want to create.

Once you have done this you can begin completing the following sections, in any order you wish.

Executive Summary

As well as putting your experience and what else you may have started writing. You can also include here:

• What you plan to do different than other nurseries
• Your mission statement – your ‘why?’
• Some key objectives for the first few years e.g., to be profitable by end of year one, to run at near capacity by end of year 2 etc
• Anything you believe will make you successful e.g, are you already known to your local community, will you offer a something your parents need that other nurseries don’t, will you market well
• Your organisation structure i.e., are you running the nursery by yourself/ will you have a partner/ hire a manager
• What other relevant experience you may have that will help you run your business
• Are there any opportunities you are looking to capitalise on e.g. the expected rise in childcare demand post covid-19
• Where will you be located? What is the demand like there?
• Who are your typical customers e.g., two working parent households who may need full time childcare because of this/ people using government funding? How many of these people are in your area?
• What is your competition? Private nurseries/ school nurseries/ childminders etc. How many are in your area?
• What are your growth plans, how many children do you plan to open with and how many do you expect per month (be conservative with your predictions)
• You may briefly put some of your expenses and losses and any charts you create that show your profit for the first few years

Remember that this section is a summary and overview of things you would put elsewhere into your business plan, so you do not need to go into depth about all of these points.

Company Overview 

Here you should list:

• What you will be doing and what will support the services you give?
• Your start up costs and how this will be funded
• Information on your building (size and location) and any expansion plans
• Your business set-up – are you a company, partnership, sole-trader. Who else is involved in the business?

Business Environment 

• Competition analysis. What options are available to parents? Chain-Nurseries, small private-owned nurseries, home-based childcare/ childminders, staying with family, not working. What are the benefits/ negatives of these.
• Will you differ from them? If so, how?
• List three or four of your competitors as well as key information about them – their size, price, location, Ofsted grade etc
• Research the demand in your area. For support in doing this you can enrol on the full nursery course which teaches you how to open your own nursery from start to finish in just 6 months, with a limited budget.  Click here to enrol: https://www.openanursery.co.uk/courses
• How is your market segmented e.g. full-time working couples needing full time care, part-time workers needing shorter shifts, funded children?
• Where are your parents located?
• How many under 5s in your area?
• How many nurseries are in your area?
• Brief description of how you will target customers e.g., referrals, website, open days
• Growth rate in the area
• Will there be an increase in demand in your area? Likely after COVID-19.
• SWOT analysis

Company Description 

• Your staffing structure – how many and what employees you plan to hire and the costs. This will form part of your personnel plan
• If you already have some of the staff ready to start, what experience do they have and why are they suitable?
• When will you hire new staff and how will you recruit them?
• The services you offer e.g., opening closing times, all year/ term time only, school drops, part time/ full time
• How will you teach – Montessori type, learning through play
• What is your focus? Fun or professionalism

Company Strategy

• What is your ethos/ value proposition? Use your SWOT analysis to determine this.
• Where will you position yourself in the market? Are you a premium provider or cheaper provider or in-between?
• What will you use to differentiate yourselves?
• Briefly describe marketing strategy?
• What will you charge? Lower price as you’re new, or establish yourself at a premium
• What are your sales strategies and forecasts? The sales forecast should be detailed.  Stating how many new full-time/ part-time children you expect on opening and then per week, as well as how much income this will generate.  When are you likely to have more children enrol or leave e.g. some may go in summer to go school more may enrol at the beginning of terms?
• What businesses will you align with to be help with e.g., you may work with local schools to help with marketing

Marketing Plan

• What marketing materials will you create? E.g., flyers, brochures, advertising etc
• Promotion strategy – when and where will you do your marketing e.g. planning open days, when to distribute flyers and what area
• How will you utilise your website and social media?
• Will you create and run these yourself?

Financial Review

• How will you generate money i.e., through children signing-up? Do you have any other ways to generate income?
• Create your key financial tables here including, your profit and loss accounts, balance sheets, break-even analysis, cash flow forecasts and business ratios

Action Plan

• Set milestones. When do you expect to complete business plan, get funding, register with Ofsted, secure a building etc. You can get more help in achieving these milestones by enrolling on the full nursery course here: https://www.openanursery.co.uk/course/how-to-open-a-nursery-the-complete-guide-2/ .  This guide will teach you everything you need to open your bursary including how to find a building, how to create your profit and loss accounts and other financial tables mentioned earlier and how to secure funding.  Enrol today for just £249.99
• Use this to explain some of your sales forecasts, e.g. how many sales will you need to generate the income mentioned

That is generally all that is needed to complete your nursery business plan.  You can add or omit certain sections to suit your needs.

If you need any support writing your nursery business plan, then join our Facebook Group, where you can ask questions to other members who will be able to support you. ‘Successful Early Years Owners’

Started or completed your business plan already?

Then, you’re ready for a nursery business plan review..

A review is the best first step to get your business plan ready to send. The review analyses the scope of your business, your financial data, marketing plans to inform you of what works well and where you can make improvements. This assessment is not an edit to the text, but a report detailing the business plans potential of success within the nursery market.

So, if you want to improve your business plan, and increase your chances of investment. Then…

1 thought on “How to write a business plan for a nursery”

Pingback: How to write a business plan for a nursery, daycare or preschool – plus free business plan template - Little Blessings

Comments are closed.

• Tel: 0161 737 5290

A Step-by-Step Guide to Writing Your Nursery Business Plan

Powerful integrations

Backed by industry standards

Running a nursery brings its own unique rewards: watching the children in your care grow and flourish as you offer them the very best early years education.

If you’ve got a passion for teaching and nurturing, along with the right qualifications, spending your days with a group of fun-loving toddlers will sound like a dream come true.

And with childcare costs and availability of suitable places an ongoing issue for working parents, demand will never drop off. So, in theory, it’s the perfect start-up opportunity.

But starting a nursery business isn’t all singing songs and sharing cuddles with small people. Along with the daily – and often dramatic – ups and downs of life as a toddler, you’ll have a complex business model to manage.

Rules and regulations, staff training, strategic planning, cashflow monitoring , customer service challenges, reputation management, ongoing marketing: they’ll all require your attention. And don’t forget, you need to do all this with the endless patience and energy every childcare professional must have each day.

Despite the hard work, working with young children as they start their exciting education journey is enormously satisfying. Get your nursery business plan in order from the start and you’ll have taken the first step towards opening the doors to your very first mini-customers.

Why Do I Need to Write A Business Plan?

In the private day nursery industry, it will inform your decisions as you progress through the set-up process. Do you need external investment? Do you need professional advice about the legalities? Do you know how to find and attract the parents of future classmates?

Without a business plan, you’ll be stumbling in the dark. And potential investors won’t take you seriously. Nail it now and get organised for the road ahead.

How to Start A Nursery Business

Step one: write your nursery business plan . This should follow a set structure, divided into clear, information-packed sections.

Here we outline a suggested template that will help you get your dreams out of your head and onto paper. Follow these steps and you’ll have a helpful, relevant document to keep you on track.

1. Executive Summary

This is a grand title for your introduction. Within it, you can summarise the top-line detail about your business including its name, your objectives and goals. This gives you, and anybody else who reads your plan, an overview of your intentions.

Make sure it’s clear, concise and gets to the point. Highlight what you can bring to the business to make it a success: think of it as an elevator pitch. Leave the nitty-gritty until later.

2. Company Overview

The company overview builds upon the executive summary to give further insight into your plans. This is your opportunity to tell your story about why you’re starting a nursery business . Include your motivation, experience and qualifications to sell yourself and your vision.

If you’ve never run a business before, imagine you’re already a successful entrepreneur and channel the confidence you know that will give you.

You’re seeking to impress and convince potential investors and partners to help them to understand your journey and to trust you.

Include a vision statement to really hammer home what success looks like for you. What do you envisage achieving in the next five years? How will you reach those goals?

When setting your goals, remember to follow the SMART guidelines and make them:

• Specific : e.g. to have 40 clients within six months
• Measurable : e.g. to make a £25,000 profit in year two
• Achievable : e.g. to break even within 12 months
• Relevant : e.g. to gain an outstanding Ofsted rating
• Timely : e.g. to have a team of 20 staff within 18 months

Outline who will own and operate the business, including its legal structure (for instance, have you set up a limited company?) and how many committed staff members you already have on board.

3. Services

This might seem obvious, but you need to outline all the services you’ll be covering. Every childcare provider will have a slightly different offering, so think carefully about:

• Opening hours – how flexible can you be?
• Age provision – specify your lower and upper age limit
• Class sizes and ratios – how many children will be in each room? And how many staff?
• Outings – are your premises close to a park, museum or library?
• Activities – will you be offering services by external providers such as swimming lessons or foreign language sessions?

Remember that if you’re not in a position to offer everything on your wish list straight away, you can highlight your future development plans.

Also consider your USP. What will give your nursery that competitive edge you’ll need to thrive? Maybe your premises are located directly opposite a train station, simplifying pick up and drop off for busy parents who commute? Maybe your outdoor space has a wooded area you can market as a forest school?

Whatever makes you stand out from the childcare crowd, shout about it.

4. market research.

The latest government figures , released in 2016, show that there are around 23,500 day care nurseries in the UK. The industry is worth £4 billion, employs over 188,000 people and provides childcare for 1.2 million children.

Since then, and due mainly to the introduction of the 30 hours free childcare policy, the number of childcare providers registered with Ofsted has fallen. Most of those leaving the market have been childminders facing unsurmountable financial pressures .

Among the private nursery market, 841 providers left the sector in the final quarter of 2017 and 772 joined. And while overall numbers may be falling, the number of spaces is actually rising.

Just as you’re doing now, those 772 people made the entrepreneurial leap: after, of course, writing a comprehensive nursery business plan .

You need to know about this competition: who’s already operating in your area, what services they offer and the demand for them, whether they’re sole traders or part of a larger chain etc. Don’t forget to consider playgroups and home-based childminders in this analysis.

Next, shift your attention to your target market. Naturally, they’re going to be parents, but beyond that they can differ widely. Some of those with two-year-olds will be entitled to more government support than others, others will be relying on childcare vouchers from their employers, some will only need a few mornings a week, others will need a full-time place.

Investigate the demographics of your area such as average wage, population levels and fluctuations, and birth rates. Every nugget of information can inform your plans and improve their accuracy.

Crucially, based on your research, you can start to gauge how much you can charge. Prices vary across the country with an average cost of £122.46 for 25 hours of childcare at a private day nursery. You can then factor this figure into your financial planning.

4. Finances

Before you can put a tick next to “write business plan”, there’s some serious number-crunching to do.

A solid business plan should be brimming with informative tables to guide you and reassure your potential investors that you’ve done your sums and are a safe bet. As a bare minimum, you should include a profit and loss forecast and cashflow forecast for the first three years, and a detailed start-up budget.

For a nursery, start-up costs will include equipment ranging from furniture, toys and books, outdoor play equipment, computers and tablets, first aid kits and marketing materials.

Beyond these, some of which will need to be regularly replaced, your highest ongoing cost will be staff wages which averages at 73% of all outgoings for private day nurseries. Add rent or mortgage payments, training and utilities costs, and your profit will quickly be dented.

Then detail your income stream based on estimated numbers and your projected fee structure. To avoid cashflow challenges, consider incorporating a Direct Debit facility for parents to pay their monthly fees. It’ll mean less hassle for them and more certainty for you: you’ll know exactly how much to expect in your business account and when.

Partnering with a Direct Debit bureau such as FastPay will ensure fees are paid upfront, avoiding the administrative headache of gathering payments by cash, cheque or debit card. Your cashflow and your customer satisfaction levels will thrive.

Finally, do you know where your funding is coming from? Be crystal clear in your nursery business plan about cash you’ve already secured (personal savings, soft loans from family and friends etc.) and whether extra capital is required from a business loan, sponsorship or business partner.

5. Premises

Before you start searching for premises, you need to establish how many children you’d ideally like to cater for. This will impact on the size of the property you need, as well as the number of staff and pricing.

Government regulations mean that you must allocate a minimum square footage per child. Calculate your requirements carefully based on these and also consider future expansion plans. The last thing you want is to be a huge hit with local parents and have capacity issues before you’re ready, and financially solvent, to move or extend.

In terms of location, your choice here should be informed by your market research. Will you be filling a gap or saturating an already struggling market?

Key considerations, beyond demand, include:

• transport connections to make pick up and drop off as convenient as possible
• sufficient car parking and outdoor space
• kitchen and bathroom facilities
• with an existing building, its suitability for conversion

Whether you’re renting or buying, adapting a building or moving into purpose-built premises, carefully consider every cost involved in every option.

6. sales and marketing.

Your marketing plan will form an important section of your business plan. Central to it should be a strategy for advertising your nursery before your planned opening date. From traditional methods such as hanging banners outside the building and leafleting local baby and toddler groups to embracing a full social media campaign, you need to go all out.

Tours of the nursery are also priceless. Parents will want to know exactly where they’re leaving their child and who will be caring for them: viewing your premises and meeting your staff will create trust. Whether you hold an open day or welcome potential clients in on a typical working day, this is your opportunity to showcase your facilities and share your personal approach to childcare.

Impressed parents will then spread the word to friends and family, giving you free exposure that could easily translate into clients.

Once you’re up and running, you’ll need to keep attracting clients as children grow and move on to start primary school. Your reputation will speak volumes here, so use this never-ending marketing job as added motivation to provide exemplary service and standards.

7. Rules and Regulations

Your business plan must address that you fully understand these legalities and are taking the appropriate steps.

In order to look after children under the age of eight for more than two hours a day in England, you must be registered with Ofsted (the Office for Standards in Education). For a nursery, you’ll be signing up to the Early Years Register.

There are two preliminary steps:

• a DBS check to assess your suitability based on any previous criminal convictions
• completion of a health declaration booklet , in which you must list any health problems and medications you’re taking

Next, you’ll need to demonstrate to Ofsted that you’ll comply with all their strict standards. These cover a wide range of factors including:

• staff training and vetting
• child group size
• staff-per-child ratios
• space-per-child ratios
• fire safety
• bathroom facilities
• health and safety
• quality of education
• welfare needs

This necessarily comprehensive registration process takes time so make sure you factor in at least six months for it to be finalised. You won’t be able to open without it.

Once you’re registered and up and running, Ofsted will assess your nursery at least once every three years to make sure it conforms with the national standards.

With the prospect of an Ofsted inspection on the horizon, you’ll have the added motivation to make your new nursery business a success.

Starting a nursery business is a slow but ultimately highly rewarding process. Prepare for a steady start and enjoy the momentum building as your reputation establishes itself.

A few years down the line, you could be revisiting your business plan with an eye towards the future. Expansion, perhaps with a second or third site, will require another impressive document to wow your investors.

For now, focus on getting its first incarnation right and you’ll soon be welcoming small, smiling faces through your doors.

Most popular posts.

Standing Order vs. Direct Debit

Standing order vs. Direct Debit: Which payment method is right for your business?   In

Advanced Payment Solutions for Today’s Tech-Savvy Consumers

Mastering Digital Customer Satisfaction: Advanced Payment Solutions for Today’s Tech-Savvy Consumers   In the digital

Revolutionising Loan Collections

The Impact of Direct Debit Bureaus   In the ever-evolving world of lending, the efficiency

What our clients say

Why choose FastPay

For a bespoke quote or to find out more about our services, just fill out the form below. One of our specialised staff will be in touch as soon as possible.

Fast, easy set up

Personal service

Flexible & Secure

Our range of over 180 online courses are fully accredited, trusted by more than 3 million learners and ideal for training you and your team.

• Food Hygiene

Health and Safety

Safeguarding.

• Asbestos Awareness
• Fire Safety
• Mental Health
• Health and Social Care
• Business Essentials
• Team training

Welcome to the Hub, the company blog from High Speed Training.

Select a topic to find the most up to date, practical information and resources produced by our experts to support you in your professional life.

• Health & Safety

How to Start a Nursery Business

Nurseries are popular, successful businesses in this day and age. They offer early childhood education to children before they begin compulsory education, and could be the perfect place for you if you enjoy working with children. However, if you’re thinking of starting your own nursery school, there’s a lot that needs to be taken into consideration first.

In this guide, we will cover everything you need to know about starting a nursery business, including the qualifications required. We’ll also provide a free business plan template that you can use.

The contents of the guide are as follows:

Why Start a Nursery Business?

• Starting a Nursery Business Plan – Market Research, Choosing Your Premises, Financial Planning, Marketing and Branding

What Qualifications Do I Need to Open a Nursery?

How do i run a good nursery business.

Starting your own nursery business can be extremely rewarding – the benefits include:

• The ability to influence and be involved in children’s early development , which lays down the foundations for the rest of their lives. Early years are really important – find out more in our article here – and helping to give children the best start makes for a fulfilling career.
• High demand and the potential for great success . The Department for Education’s 2019 report showed that there were 1.7 million childcare places offered in that year in England, with the great majority being from group-based nurseries rather than school-based ones. Few places go spare – only 19% of group-based nurseries’ places were available in 2019 – because more parents are able to work, as a result of changes in employment conditions, and new government childcare schemes.
• Freedom to work for yourself . Starting your own nursery gives you the freedom to be your own boss, and if you decide to do it from home, you don’t even have the hassle of travelling.

However, there may be some drawbacks to consider. Like any start-up business, there are risks to starting a nursery: you need a really good business plan, great organisational skills, and a passion for the industry. Additionally, you have to be prepared for things to go wrong – insurance policies are particularly important, so that you don’t find yourself on the wrong end of a lawsuit.

If you plan to set up a nursery business, you don’t need any formal childcare qualifications, unless you want to be involved in the day-to-day managing of the nursery. Managers must have at least two years’ experience as a qualified nursery nurse, one to two years’ experience in a supervisory role, and a relevant nursery qualification.

However, there are a lot of other considerations that you will need to keep in mind, from registering your nursery to safeguarding requirements and health and safety regulations.

Registering Your Nursery

Your nursery will need to be registered the specific regulator in your country:

• England – Ofsted. Follow the link to this page for more information.
• Wales – CSSIW (Care and Social Services Inspectorate Wales). Look at this page for more information. 
• Scotland – the Care Inspectorate. Follow this link for more information.
• Northern Ireland – the Health and Social Services Board (HSSB). Follow the link to this page for more information.

In order to apply for registration, you must be aged 18 years or older, have the right to work in the UK, and must undergo a Disclosure and Barring Services (DBS) check . The DBS check ensures that you have no criminal convictions that make you unsuitable to work with children; it costs around £50. You will also need to fill in a health declaration booklet , detailing any health problems that you have and any medication you are taking.

Once you are registered with Ofsted, they will carry out inspections of your nursery at least once every three years, to ensure that it conforms with the 14 national standards for childcare . You will be graded on this.

Below is an overview of the relevant information contained in the 14 national standards.

You must comply with local child protection procedures, and ensure that all staff are also aware of how to safeguard effectively – including the symptoms of children at risk, and what to do to report it. You will also need to create a written procedure detailing what to do if allegations are made against a member of staff, as well as the person in your organisation that everyone with concerns should go to. Additionally, you should have a system of attendance showing the times of arrival and departure of every child at nursery, and a system where you can identify that children are being collected by the correct person.

Need Safeguarding Training?

You and your nursery staff will need at least Level 1 Safeguarding – our Safeguarding Children in Education course will provide you with the knowledge and skills you need. We also offer higher-level safeguarding training, including Advanced Safeguarding Children (Level 2) and Designated Safeguarding Lead Training (Level 3) – visit our safeguarding course library to browse our available courses.

You will need to complete a risk assessment of your premises, and ensure that you review it if there are any significant changes or you have reason to suspect it is no longer valid. Your risk assessment will need to include an action plan to identify how and when you will minimise any existing risks. For help completing your risk assessment, have a look at our Health and Safety in Schools Checklist – much of this information will also apply to you.

Additionally, it’s really important that all your staff know what to do in an emergency. This includes fire safety measures and evacuation procedures , how to report injuries , how and when to administer medicine, how to handle hazardous substances, and how to carry out manual handling. At least one staff member on the premises must have paediatric first aid training at all times.

You will require policies about health and safety and ill or infectious children, and a procedure for what to do if a child becomes ill while they are at nursery. You should also have a no smoking policy.

Food Safety

If you will be preparing food and drink for children in your nursery, you will require appropriate training – there must be one trained member of staff on duty at all times. A Level 2 Food Hygiene course would be an appropriate qualification. All other members of staff must ensure that they also follow safe food hygiene practices; you should create a food hygiene policy with sections covering everything they need to know, from cross-contamination to temperature control and accidents. Don’t forget about allergens – we have created a handy poster of the 14 named allergens that you could give to staff:

Documentation

You will need to ensure that you keep records relating to the children you care for – these must cover everything that your staff need to know in order to safely and effectively care for each child. After a child has left your nursery, you will still need to keep these records for a reasonable period of time (PACEY recommends this to be six years after the child has left your setting).

When handling records, you will need to follow data protection regulations. Failing to comply with data protection law can lead to serious consequences. If you need training in this, have a look at our Data Protection for Schools course.

Equal Opportunities

All staff must actively promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practices. You will need an equal opportunities policy that follows the current legislation and guidance on the topic – take our Equality & Diversity Training to update your knowledge. Your equal opportunities policy should be available to all staff and parents.

For more information about the 14 national standards, have a look at the Department for Education’s guidance . If you will be looking after babies, there are additional criteria in that document which will apply to you.

Starting a Nursery Business Plan

When setting up a nursery, the first thing you need to do is create a business plan. This will help you to stay on track and within budget, as well as showing any prospective lenders that you know what you’re doing.

In this section, we will detail everything you need to think about and consider including in your business plan. We will also provide a business plan template for you to fill in.

Need More Help to Start Your Business?

If you need more help to write your business plan, and you could do with advice on finding investors, accessing support, marketing and operations, try our Starting a Business course . Once you complete the training, you’ll be confident and prepared to set up and run your nursery business.

Market Research

One of the first things to think about is whether there is actually demand for a nursery in your local area. Look at the childcare providers around you which might be your competition, including other nurseries and childminders. How many of them are there? Are they full, or do they have lots of spare places?

An easy way to find this information out is through your local authority, which will have a list of all registered childcare providers. You could also contact the other providers to ask whether they are over-subscribed. If the market is already saturated in your area – in other words, if there are already plenty of nurseries, with plenty of places – then starting your own may not be such a viable plan.

Other things you should consider are the services the existing nurseries offer, and what their fees are. This will give you guidance as to what you could provide, and for how much: if their service is limited in some way, could you be more flexible? Think about the length of their opening hours, the ages they provide for, group sizes, and activities – for example, could you offer regular trips to the park, or foreign language lessons? Could you cater for broader age ranges? You could ask your friends, family, and acquaintances what they would like in a nursery, or even contact the local authority about what provision they feel is lacking.

In terms of fees, you need to think about how many parents in your target market will be relying on government support or subsidies – research the average wage and other demographics in your area, and think about whether you would register your nursery for the Tax-Free Childcare Scheme, or make your fees reasonable for those paying individually.

Choosing Your Premises

The premises you run your nursery from can hugely influence its appeal to your target market. Initially, you should decide whether you want to run the business from your home, or whether you will acquire new premises.

Running a Nursery from Home

You can run a nursery in your home if planning permission is granted – you will need to contact your local authority about this, and it may take some time. If you decide to do so, be aware that the minimum space requirements set by the government might limit your capacity: you need 3.5 square metres per child under two years old, 2.5 square metres per child aged two years, and 2.3 square metres for children aged three to seven.

Acquiring Other Premises

If you decide to acquire other premises, consider:

• Location: whether the venue is in an area that covers your target market. Are there plenty of family homes and lots of schools? Is it an area where parents will be able to afford your fees, or access them with subsidies? Are there lots of other nurseries nearby, and are these already full or not?
• Access: is there parking outside or nearby, for both staff and parents? What are the transport links like – is there a nearby bus stop or train station? Are there pedestrian crossings so that parents can cross the road safely and easily?
• Outdoor facilities: is there enough space outside for a playground? Can the grounds be enclosed, so that they are safe?
• Indoor facilities: is there the potential to install all the necessary facilities, including toilets (one for every 10 children over the age of 2), kitchen facilities, changing areas, and a telephone? Is the building well-lit and adequately ventilated? Is there enough space to have separate areas for all the activities you plan to run, as well as for storage for equipment?
• Potential hazards: are there multiple floors? Are staircases child-friendly? Would you be able to prevent children from accessing the kitchen?
• Future expansion: is there scope for expansion in the future?

You might decide to convert a building into a nursery, purchase an existing nursery building, or share space with a building such as a retirement home or indoor play centre (something that is becoming popular!). If you choose to share space, bear in mind that this might limit your ability to be flexible in opening hours and expand your business.

Financial Planning

Financial planning is key to any successful start-up. You will need to spend time working out each of the following:

You will have two types of costs: start-up and running . Your start-up costs involve:

• Setting the nursery up, including buying the premises (if you choose to do so), and any building conversion costs.
• Installing facilities such as a professional kitchen and outdoor play equipment/ground surfacing.
• Buying furniture, toys, books, first aid kits, office equipment, uniforms, and signage.
• Registering your nursery.
• Initial staff training.

Start-up costs could total up to £100,000, but you could cut costs by buying things second-hand, doing as much as you can yourself, or deciding to be part of an existing nursery franchise.

Running costs will include ongoing expenses, such as:

• Rent or mortgage payments.
• Staff wages. The average salary for nursery staff is £19,000; paying their wages will make up the bulk of your running costs.
• Your own salary.
• Utilities (including council tax, water, gas, and electricity).
• Food and other disposable resources.
• Regular maintenance.
• Ongoing staff training.

You need to project how much money you expect to make from your business, in order to find out whether or not it is going to be profitable. First, consider how much you are going to charge by looking at other nurseries’ fees to compare. You might be able to charge more if you are going to offer more services – for example, you could charge extra for snacks, meals, trips out, and other activities. Government childcare payment schemes cover the childcare rather than these extra things, so all parents could be charged for them on top of the regular fees.

Then, think about how many children you will need to have in your care, paying the fees you have decided upon, to be able to cover all your outgoing costs and give you the profit you want. You will need to make a profit for your business to be sustainable. Create a cashflow forecast for the first year of your business, anticipating what money will be coming in. Remember that the number of children in nursery can fluctuate throughout the year, so you might not be able to rely on consistently filled places in every season. Also think about whether you’re going to offer part-time, as well as full-time, places, and the difference in cost between these.

Finally, give some thought to how you’re going to collect your fees from parents. You need to ensure that fees are paid regularly and on time – if lots of parents pay you late, you can easily run out of money. It is best to set up standing orders or direct debits for this reason.

Insurance is included in your running costs, and it’s worth mentioning which insurance you should consider acquiring before you start your nursery. This includes:

• Public liability insurance. This covers the cost of potential injury or sickness experienced by a member of the public (such as a child) on your premises – for example, staff administering non-prescribed medication, allergic reactions, and injuries on your play equipment.
• Employer’s liability insurance. This covers the cost of potential injury or sickness experienced by a member of staff while on your premises. You will need to display your certificate of this insurance clearly in your nursery.
• Professional indemnity insurance. This covers you if you give out expert advice to parents or children which turns out to be wrong.
• Commercial property insurance. This covers your property (and potentially the contents of your property) in the event of fire, flood, or theft.
• Business interruption insurance. This pays you a certain amount if your business has to close for a period of time.
• Personal accident cover. If you are heavily involved in the business, personal accident cover is advisable – if you have an accident and can’t work, it will give you financial compensation during this time.

If you plan to organise trips, make sure that your insurance policies cover staff and children when they are away from the nursery premises.

Looking at all the costs you have in front of you, think about how you’re going to fund the business. You might have your own savings, or the potential of a ‘soft loan’ from family or friends. Your local authority might be able to provide you with some funding – look on their website or get in touch with them for more information. Additionally, you could acquire a loan, whether that is from the government (e.g. The Start Up Loans Company ), or from private equity funding sources.

Marketing and Branding

Marketing and branding are important parts of your business plan – they involve making your business known, and giving it its own style.

To create your own professional brand, consider speaking to a branding consultant. They can help you to design your logo, colour scheme, and uniform, along with giving you advice on the way you communicate, and policies. Your brand is important in showing potential customers why they should come to your nursery.

The next step, marketing your business, could involve:

• Placing bold signs outside your premises , so that potential customers in your area notice you.
• Creating a website , which includes your location, contact details, and the services you offer (at the very least). You might be able to create your website for free, but if you want lots of traffic to come to your site, it could be worth talking to an SEO specialist to help you get it listed on major search engines. It could also be worth working with a website designer, if you want to make it look extra professional – they should be able to consider SEO too.
• Using social media accounts , including Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. This helps to attract new customers – however, remember to get parents’ permission before posting pictures of children.
• Leafleting and hanging banners . These methods are still effective!
• Giving tours of the nursery, or holding an open day . This will create trust between you and your prospective customers, and show off your premises to everyone who is interested.

Marketing is never finished – it is a continuous process, because the children at your nursery will gradually grow up. Make the most of every marketing opportunity.

Now that you know what to write in your business plan, download the template – which you can edit on your computer or print out – using the button below:

Back to Top

Now you know what you need to do, you might be wondering what you could do to make your nursery the best that it can be. In this section, we will provide you with some tips and advice for maximising the success of your business.

Choosing the Right Staff

It is extremely important to choose the right staff to work in any business, but particularly when you work with children and families. When choosing your staff, think about:

• Whether they have patience and enjoy working around children . They will be required to do this day in, day out, so it’s key that they have the right attitude and share your vision.
• Whether they are trained in Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) . Some children that pass through your nursery may have special needs, and you will need staff who can adequately provide care to them.
• Whether they can manage behaviour effectively . Those who care for children might experience a wide range of behaviour incidents, and they need to be able to respond in a way that promotes the children’s welfare and development.
• Their qualifications . At least half of your staff will need a Level 2 qualification that is relevant to the care or development of children – or be working towards this – and others should possess Level 3 qualifications. You can use the government tool to check whether someone’s qualifications are applicable to your setting. Additionally, consider taking on apprentices – they will have less experience, but will be rewarding and inexpensive to train.

Keep in mind that there are minimum staffing ratios for nurseries: there must be one adult to every three children under the age of two, 1:4 for those children aged two, and 1:8 for children aged three to seven.  Trainees or apprentices under the age of 17 do not count as an adult in your adult to child ratios. There must also be a minimum of two staff on duty at all times.

Pay and Training

Once you have hired your staff, paying them what they are worth and investing in training and development will ensure that you have high staff retention rates, as well as improving the quality of your nursery, morale, and productivity.

While all staff will require induction training within their first week – including safeguarding, food hygiene, and health and safety training – you should also think about courses they could take for their Continuing Professional Development (CPD).

For example, staff who have achieved Level 3 qualifications could be upskilled by completing Level 5 qualifications, allowing them to take on more managerial responsibilities in the nursery. Staff wanting to increase their skills might also take Challenging Behaviour Training . There are plenty of courses related to childcare and other aspects of the work environment that your staff could take, and you should ensure that they do complete extra training every year, as well as keeping on top of their compulsory safety training requirements.

Creating a Good Learning Environment

Your nursery school will not only provide childcare – it should also help children to develop their emotional, physical, social, and intellectual abilities. You should follow the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) development structure, providing activities and play opportunities that support children’s:

• Personal development
• Language and communication
• Mathematical development
• Knowledge and understanding of the world
• Physical development
• Creative development.

You can use the EYFS handbook to help you to meet these goals.

Staff will need to support children in carrying out activities, listening to them and talking about what they are doing. They should also be able to teach children what is right and wrong, and encourage positive behaviour – for tips about how to do this in the early years, read our article .

In addition, you should have furniture, equipment, books, and toys that help to make your nursery an accessible and stimulating environment.

Working in Partnership with Parents and Carers

Finally, you can make sure you are running a good nursery business by working with parents and carers to meet children’s needs as best you can. This involves sharing relevant information with them, having an established complaints procedure, and valuing their feedback and opinions on your nursery. By building trust between you, you can ensure that they are satisfied, and your reputation will be great as a result.

We hope you’ve found our guidance on how to start a nursery business helpful, and we wish you luck if you plan to get started. If you need further information, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us to see how we could help – you might also find the range of courses we offer, alongside our other resources on the Hub , of use.

Further Resources:

• Education Training Courses
• How to Become an Early Years Practitioner
• Promoting Positive Behaviour in Early Years: A Guide for Nurseries
• How to Become a Childminder in Your Own Home
• Professional Development in Early Years Education
• How To Apply For A DBS Check When You’re Self-Employed

Post Author

Her favourite article is How to Support a Child with Autism in the Classroom

You may also like

Download Nursery and Primary School Business Plan in PDF or Doc

This is a complete school business plan in pdf/Doc that you can download for your bank loan, grant, proposal or to guide your business operation. In case you are searching for school business plan template for NIRSAL micro-finance bank, bank of industry, TEF grant or any form of grant.

You can stroll down and download the complete school (Nursery, primary and secondary) business plan template so you can submit to apply for the loan or grant. We have already made business plan for school business plan template and samples that will be useful either in PDF or Doc.

Do you need a granite for your construction in Lagos, Ogun State and Ibadan?  We got you covered here at  AUTHMAZ360 Granite Supplier without delay.

Starting a school may not be easily without having a bankable scalable business plan to guide your activities so take a look at the school business plan below:

Download Complete School Business Plan PDF and Msword in Nigeria

1.0 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

1 Leadership and Governance

2 Our Vision Statement 6

3 Our Mission Statement 6

4 Our Business Structure 7

5 Our Product and Services

6 Education Plan

7 The Company 17

8 The Project 17

9 Project location

2.0 OUR ENTREPRENEURSHIP CURRICULUM

1 Human Resources Plan 19

2 Academic Framework 19

3 Commitment to Student Success 21

4 Our Guiding Principle 22

3.0MARKET ANALYSIS

1 Market Trend 24

2 Demand 24

3 Competition 25

4.0  SWOT ANALYSIS

1 Strength 26

3 Opportunity 26

4 Threat 27

0 Conclusion and Recommendation

6.0 FINANCIAL ANALYSIS

1 SCHEDULES

1. Projected Cash Flow Statements

3 Projected Profit and Loss Accounts 38

CHAPTER ONE

7.1.1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The NEW SCHOOL UNITED is a private school that is located in Kaduna, Kaduna State. We are establishing a standard private school that is composed of Nursery, Primary Junior Secondary and Secondary School.

The NEW SCHOOL UNITED is a client focused and result driven private school that will provides broad based learning approaches and experience at an affordable fee that won’t in any way put a hole in the pockets of our clients (pupils, student and parents alike).

We shall offer standard and professional teaching services in a highly secured and conducive learning environment to all our pupils and student. We will ensure that we work hard to meet and surpass all our pupils/student’s expectations and educational goals whenever they enroll in our tutorial college.

At NEW SCHOOL UNITED, our pupil/students’ overall best interest would always come first, and everything we do is guided by our values and professional ethics. We ensure that we hire professional educationist, teachers in various subjects who are well experienced and passionate in imparting knowledge to students at various learning ladder.

The NEW SCHOOL UNITED will at all time demonstrate her commitment to sustainability, both individually and as an educational organization, by actively participating in our communities and integrating sustainable business practices wherever possible.

We will ensure that we hold ourselves accountable to the highest standards by meeting our students’ needs precisely and completely. We will cultivate a working environment that provides a human, sustainable approach to earning a living, and living in our world, for our partners, employees and for our students.

CHECK AND DOWNLOAD>>   Pure/Sachet/Table Water Business Plan Download

This might look too tall a dream but we are optimistic that this will surely come to pass because we have done our research and feasibility studies and we are enthusiastic and confident that Kaduna is the right place to launch our private school.

14.1 LEADERSHIP & GOVERNANCE

The NEW SCHOOL UNITED’s Board of Trustees and senior administration comprised of high-capacity and experienced individuals with skill sets that demonstrate the capacity to establish and operate a successful Entrepreneurship College, including leadership, management, education, business, finance, politics, and community organizing.

Their deep involvement and commitment to this project provides oversight, enthusiasm, and capacity for success.

15.1 OUR VISION STATEMENT

Our vision is to prepare students for success in a competitive economy by providing a unique curriculum which highlights professional and entrepreneurial excellence.

16.1 OUR MISSION STATEMENT

To nurture the child’s desire to succeed in any chosen field of endeavor, be self reliant and noble in character. We are passionate about schooling children to become well rounded individuals.

 OUR BUSINESS STRUCTURE

It is a known fact that, the success of any business is to a large extent dependent on the business structure of the organization and the people who occupy the available roles in the organization. The Darun-Najah School will build a solid business structure that can support the growth of our entrepreneurship college.

We will ensure that we hire competent hands (teaching and non – teaching staff members) to help us build the school of our dream. The fact that we want to become one of the leading private school brand in the industry in the whole of the Nigeria makes it highly necessary for our organization to deliberately build a well – structured business from the onset.

We will work hard to ensure that we only attract people with the right mindset to help us achieve our business goals and objectives in record time. Below is the business structure that we will build by The NEW SCHOOL UNITED;

• Head of The Private School(School Proprietress)
• Vice Principal
• Head Teacher
• Teaching Staff
• Security Officer

Roles and Responsibilities

Head of the Tutorial College / School Coordinator:

• Responsible for providing direction for the school
• Creates, communicates, and implements the organization’s vision, mission, and overall direction – i.e. leading the development and implementation of the overall organization’s strategy.
• Responsible for handling high profile clients and deals
• Responsible for fixing fees and signing business deals (partnership)
• Responsible for signing cheque and financial documents on behalf of the college
• Coordinates all arms of the tutorial school (tutorial center, adult education, home tutors and special education)
• Evaluates the success of the tutorial college

Reports to the board of the tutorial college

3.0 MARKET ANALYSIS

3.1 MARKET TRENDS

The trend in the private school line of business is that the key to attracting students is the educational performance and the pass rate of their students in national exams. Any private school that has good records will always thrive.

3.2 DEMAND 

The demand for private schools is driven by the fact that most public that is government owned schools cannot accommodate every students or potential students in a given geographical location. In some cases, students with special needs cannot cope in public schools hence the need for private schools.

The economic downturn hasn’t really affected this industry, especially in countries that believe in the efficacy of education. This is the areas The Management of The school will ensure that the school is up to standard, in advertisements, and on insurance policy cover.

Lastly, it is trendier to find private schools engaging in extra – curricular activities and as a matter of fact, a private school that thrives in sports can leverage on that to attract students who are sports inclined.

How to Download the Complete School Business Plan

The above is just the introductory part, the full business plan is 44 pages and you can download it for N5000 . You can download the full School Business Plan

For you to download the complete business plan straight to your email,kindly Click the>> DOWNLOAD for immediate response.

You’ll pay the sum of #5000

BANK: UBA ACCOUNT NAME:  AJETUNMOBI OLANIYI A ACCOUNT NUMBER:  2089760594

Immediately after the payment, send your email address through text message to 08133717775 and I will send you the full School Business Plan.

Related Posts:

CATFISH FARMING BUSINESS PLAN DOWNLOAD IN NIGERIA

Cattle Rearing Business Plan (Download PDF/Doc)

Complete Poultry Business Plan for Broilers and Layers (Download PDF/Doc)

Rice Cultivation and Processing Business Plan in Nigeria (Download Now)

Sachet/Bottled Water Business Plan Download

Cassava Farming Processing Business Plan In Nigeria (Download)

Download Complete Business Plan for Any Business in Nigeria (Loan or Grant)

SHEA BUTTER PROCESSING BUSINESS PLAN IN NIGERIA (DOWNLOAD)

About The Author

He is an internet entrepreneur who finds pleasure in sharing useful tips to help others.

One Response

I wish to request for the above school proposal. The telephone number written there is not reachable and no download icon displayed. Please help out.

Leave a Reply Cancel Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

34+ SAMPLE School Business Plan in PDF | MS Word | Google Docs | Apple Pages

School business plan | ms word | google docs | apple pages, 34+ sample school business plan, what is a school business plan, benefits of a school business plan, how to write a school business plan, why are the mission statement and vision statement important, what is the use of school business plan.

Preschool Business Plan Template

Music School Business Plan Template

School Business Plan Template

Free Basic School Business Plan Template

Bible School Business Plan Template

High School Business Plan Template

Middle School Business Plan Template

One Page School Business Plan Template

School Business Continuity Plan Template

Middle School Business Plan Assignment

Sample Primary School Business Plan

School Business Plan in PDF

Senior High School Business Plan

Non-Profit School Business Plan

Sample Kindergarten School Business Plan

Park Primary School Business Plan

School Business Plan Executive Summary

School Business Plan for Students

School Budget Business Plan

Sample School Funding Business Plan

School Project Business Plan

School Vocational Business Plan

School of Creative Music Education Business Plan

Nursery and Primary School Business Plan

Temple Community After School Program Business Plan

Sample Preschool Business Plan

Secondary School Business Plan

Public School Business Plan

Sample Senior School Business Plan

School Education Business Plan

School Self Assessment and Review Business Plan

School Business Continuity Management Plan

School Emergency Management and Business Continuity Plan

New School Business Plan

Step 1: school overview, step 2: executive summary, step 3: school services.

• Literacy services
• Numeracy services
• Meeting accreditation standards
• Foundations in science and mathematics
• Foundations in geography and history
• Giving extracurricular activities
• Giving books and school materials

Step 4: Mission Statement and Vision Statement

Step 5: job description, step 6: swot analysis.

• Strengths – What is the ace of your school against your competitors?
• Weaknesses – On what aspects are your school lacking?
• Opportunities – Where does your school excel in teaching?
• Threats – What can make a student leave your school?

Step 7: Market Research

Step 8: sales plan, step 9: publicity plan, step 10: school budget, share this post on your network, file formats, word templates, google docs templates, excel templates, powerpoint templates, google sheets templates, google slides templates, pdf templates, publisher templates, psd templates, indesign templates, illustrator templates, pages templates, keynote templates, numbers templates, outlook templates, you may also like these articles, 5+ sample investment company business plan in pdf.

What do you do when you have tons of spare cash lying around your home or burning a hole in your wallet or expensive jeans pocket? For some people, the…

41+ SAMPLE Unit Plan Templates in PDF | MS Word

As a teacher, you might know about every school policy, the steps to keep classrooms safe for intellectual development, how to set up an organized classroom, and the proposed…

browse by categories

• Questionnaire
• Description
• Reconciliation
• Certificate
• Spreadsheet

Information

• privacy policy
• Terms & Conditions

School Business Plan Template

Written by Dave Lavinsky

School Business Plan

Over the past 20+ years, we have helped over 500 entrepreneurs and business owners create business plans to start and grow their schools.

If you’re unfamiliar with creating a school business plan, you may think creating one will be a time-consuming and frustrating process. For most entrepreneurs it is, but for you, it won’t be since we’re here to help. We have the experience, resources, and knowledge to help you create a great business plan.

In this article, you will learn some background information on why business planning is important. Then, you will learn how to write a school business plan step-by-step so you can create your plan today.

Download our Ultimate Business Plan Template here >

What is a School Business Plan?

A business plan provides a snapshot of your school as it stands today, and lays out your growth plan for the next five years. It explains your business goals and your strategies for reaching them. It also includes market research to support your plans.

Why You Need a Business Plan for a School

If you’re looking to start a school or grow your existing school, you need a business plan. A business plan will help you raise funding, if needed, and plan out the growth of your school to improve your chances of success. Your school business plan is a living document that should be updated annually as your company grows and changes.

Sources of Funding for Schools

With regards to funding, the main sources of funding for schools are donations and gifts, tuition, personal savings, credit cards, bank loans, and angel investors. When it comes to bank loans, banks will want to review your business plan and gain confidence that you will be able to repay your loan and interest. To acquire this confidence, the loan officer will not only want to ensure that your financials are reasonable, but they will also want to see a professional plan. Such a plan will give them the confidence that you can successfully and professionally operate a business. Personal savings and bank loans are the most common funding paths for schools.

Finish Your Business Plan Today!

How to write a business plan for a school.

If you want to start a school or expand your current one, you need a business plan. The guide below details the necessary information for how to write each essential component of your school business plan.

Executive Summary

Your executive summary provides an introduction to your business plan, but it is normally the last section you write because it provides a summary of each key section of your plan.

The goal of your executive summary is to quickly engage the reader. Explain to them the kind of school you are running and the status. For example, are you a startup, do you have a school that you would like to grow, or are you operating a chain of schools?

Next, provide an overview of each of the subsequent sections of your plan.

• Give a brief overview of the school industry.
• Discuss the type of school you are operating.
• Detail your direct competitors. Give an overview of your target customers.
• Provide a snapshot of your marketing strategy. Identify the key members of your team.
• Offer an overview of your financial plan.

Company Overview

In your company overview, you will detail the type of school you are operating.

For example, you might specialize in one of the following types of schools:

• Private K-12 school : this type of school typically charges tuition, and may be affiliated with a religious organization, or specialize in a particular learning method.
• Charter school: this type of school offers primary or secondary education for a tuition, and may receive some public funding, and/or donations. These schools require their students to take state-mandated exams.
• Special subject school: this type of school specializes in teaching a specific subject, such as driving, first-aid, self-defense, fine arts, language, or general tutoring.
• Preschool: this type of school typically serves children who are aged 3 and 4. These schools prepare young children to enter formal education, and are funded by some combination of tuition, donations, and government grants.

In addition to explaining the type of school you will operate, the company overview needs to provide background on the business.

Include answers to questions such as:

• When and why did you start the business?
• What milestones have you achieved to date? Milestones could include the number of students served, the number of students accepted into elite formal education institutions, etc.
• Your legal business Are you incorporated as an S-Corp? An LLC? A sole proprietorship? Explain your legal structure here.

Industry Analysis

In your industry or market analysis, you need to provide an overview of the school industry.

While this may seem unnecessary, it serves multiple purposes.

First, researching the school industry educates you. It helps you understand the market in which you are operating.

Secondly, market research can improve your marketing strategy, particularly if your analysis identifies market trends.

The third reason is to prove to readers that you are an expert in your industry. By conducting the research and presenting it in your plan, you achieve just that.

The following questions should be answered in the industry analysis section of your school business plan:

• How big is the school industry (in dollars)?
• Is the market declining or increasing?
• Who are the key competitors in the market?
• Who are the key suppliers in the market?
• What trends are affecting the industry?
• What is the industry’s growth forecast over the next 5 – 10 years?
• What is the relevant market size? That is, how big is the potential target market for your school? You can extrapolate such a figure by assessing the size of the market in the entire country and then applying that figure to your local population.

Customer Analysis

The customer analysis section of your school business plan must detail the customers you serve and/or expect to serve.

The following are examples of customer segments: families with elementary-aged children, families with high-school-aged children, families with preschool children.

As you can imagine, the customer segment(s) you choose will have a great impact on the type of school you operate. Clearly, families with high schoolers would respond to different marketing promotions than families with preschoolers, for example.

Try to break out your target customers in terms of their demographic and psychographic profiles. With regards to demographics, including a discussion of the ages, genders, locations, and income levels of the potential customers you seek to serve.

Psychographic profiles explain the wants and needs of your target customers. The more you can recognize and define these needs, the better you will do in attracting and retaining your customers.

Finish Your School Business Plan in 1 Day!

Don’t you wish there was a faster, easier way to finish your business plan?

With Growthink’s Ultimate Business Plan Template you can finish your plan in just 8 hours or less!

Competitive Analysis

Your competitive analysis should identify the indirect and direct competitors your business faces and then focus on the latter.

Direct competitors are other schools.

Indirect competitors are other options that customers have to purchase from that aren’t directly competing with your product or service. This includes public schools, virtual schools, and families who do homeschooling. You need to mention such competition as well.

For each such competitor, provide an overview of their business and document their strengths and weaknesses. Unless you once worked at your competitors’ businesses, it will be impossible to know everything about them. But you should be able to find out key things about them such as

• What types of students do they serve?
• What type of school are they?
• What is their pricing (premium, low, etc.)?
• What are they good at?
• What are their weaknesses?

With regards to the last two questions, think about your answers from the customers’ perspective. And don’t be afraid to ask your competitors’ customers what they like most and least about them.

The final part of your competitive analysis section is to document your areas of competitive advantage. For example:

• Will you provide specialized instruction, either in subject or in method?
• Will you offer courses or services that your competition doesn’t?
• Will you provide better customer service?
• Will you offer better pricing?

Think about ways you will outperform your competition and document them in this section of your plan.  

Marketing Plan

Traditionally, a marketing plan includes the four P’s: Product, Price, Place, and Promotion. For a school business plan, your marketing strategy should include the following:

Product : In the product section, you should reiterate the type of school that you documented in your company overview. Then, detail the specific products or services you will be offering. For example, will you provide religious-focused K-8 education, college preparatory courses, or single-subject instruction like driving or fine arts?

Price : Document the prices you will offer and how they compare to your competitors. Essentially in the product and price sub-sections of your plan, you are presenting the courses and/or extracurricular activities you offer and their prices.

Place : Place refers to the site of your school. Document where your company is situated and mention how the site will impact your success. For example, is your school located in a growing neighborhood, in the city center, or will you operate purely online? Discuss how your site might be the ideal location for your customers.

Promotions : The final part of your school marketing plan is where you will document how you will drive potential customers to your location(s). The following are some promotional methods you might consider:

• Advertise in local papers, radio stations and/or magazines
• Reach out to websites
• Distribute flyers
• Engage in email marketing
• Advertise on social media platforms
• Improve the SEO (search engine optimization) on your website for targeted keywords

Operations Plan

While the earlier sections of your business plan explained your goals, your operations plan describes how you will meet them. Your operations plan should have two distinct sections as follows.

Everyday short-term processes include all of the tasks involved in running your school, including answering calls, planning and delivering instruction, applying for grants, fundraising, performing administrative tasks, overseeing instructors, handling discipline, scheduling and monitoring extracurricular activities, etc.

Long-term goals are the milestones you hope to achieve. These could include the dates when you expect to enroll your Xth student, or when you hope to reach $X in revenue. It could also be when you expect to expand your school to a new city.  

Management Team

To demonstrate your school’s potential to succeed, a strong management team is essential. Highlight your key players’ backgrounds, emphasizing those skills and experiences that prove their ability to grow a company.

Ideally, you and/or your team members have direct experience in managing schools. If so, highlight this experience and expertise. But also highlight any experience that you think will help your business succeed.

If your team is lacking, consider assembling an advisory board. An advisory board would include 2 to 8 individuals who would act as mentors to your business. They would help answer questions and provide strategic guidance. If needed, look for advisory board members with experience in running a school or experience with public school administration or who has served on a public school board.  

Financial Plan

Your financial plan should include your 5-year financial statement broken out both monthly or quarterly for the first year and then annually. Your financial statements include your income statement, balance sheet, and cash flow statements.

Income Statement

An income statement is more commonly called a Profit and Loss statement or P&L. It shows your revenue and then subtracts your costs to show whether you turned a profit or not.

In developing your income statement, you need to devise assumptions. For example, will you enroll 100 or 1,000 students per semester, and/or offer extracurricular activities? And will sales grow by 2% or 10% per year? As you can imagine, your choice of assumptions will greatly impact the financial forecasts for your business. As much as possible, conduct research to try to root your assumptions in reality.

Balance Sheets

Balance sheets show your assets and liabilities. While balance sheets can include much information, try to simplify them to the key items you need to know about. For instance, if you spend $50,000 on building out your school, this will not give you immediate profits. Rather it is an asset that will hopefully help you generate profits for years to come. Likewise, if a lender writes you a check for $50,000, you don’t need to pay it back immediately. Rather, that is a liability you will pay back over time.

Cash Flow Statement

Your cash flow statement will help determine how much money you need to start or grow your business, and ensure you never run out of money. What most entrepreneurs and business owners don’t realize is that you can turn a profit but run out of money and go bankrupt.

When creating your Income Statement and Balance Sheets be sure to include several of the key costs needed in starting or growing a school:

• Cost of equipment and supplies
• Payroll or salaries paid to staff
• Business insurance
• Other start-up expenses (if you’re a new business) like legal expenses, permits, computer software, and equipment

Attach your full financial projections in the appendix of your plan along with any supporting documents that make your plan more compelling. For example, you might include your school location lease or a list of elective courses or extracurricular activities you will offer.  

Writing a business plan for your school is a worthwhile endeavor. If you follow the template above, by the time you are done, you will truly be an expert. You will understand the school industry, your competition, and your customers. You will develop a marketing strategy and will understand what it takes to launch and grow a successful school.  

School Business Plan FAQs

What is the easiest way to complete my school business plan.

Growthink's Ultimate Business Plan Template allows you to quickly and easily write your school business plan.

How Do You Start a School?

Starting a school is easy with these 14 steps:

• Choose the Name for Your School
• Create Your School Business Plan
• Choose the Legal Structure for Your School
• Secure Startup Funding for Your School (If Needed)
• Secure a Location for Your Business
• Register Your School with the IRS
• Open a Business Bank Account
• Get a Business Credit Card
• Get the Required Business Licenses and Permits
• Get Business Insurance for Your School
• Buy or Lease the Right School Equipment
• Develop Your School Business Marketing Materials
• Purchase and Setup the Software Needed to Run Your School
• Open for Business

Learn more about   how to start your own school .

Don’t you wish there was a faster, easier way to finish your School business plan?

OR, Let Us Develop Your Plan For You

Since 1999, Growthink has developed business plans for thousands of companies who have gone on to achieve tremendous success.   Click here to learn about Growthink’s business plan writing services .

Other Helpful Business Plan Articles & Templates

Business Plan

Nursery and Primary School Business Plan in Nigeria

by BusinessPlan 6 Comments

Nursery and Primary School Business Plan in Nigeria – Starting a Private School in Nigeria

CLICK HERE FOR FREE DOWNLOAD OF NURSERY AND PRIMARY SCHOOL BUSINESS PLAN IN NIGERIA

Asides food, shelter and clothing, getting an education is one of the foremost heart desires of every parent for their children. Every father and mother wants her kids to get the best education money can buy on the planet.

Also Read: Tutorial Centre Business Plan in Nigeria

In fact you can say that getting an education is a mandated tradition in Nigeria such that regardless of the income range of the family, parents want their kids to go to school and “become somebody in life”. Education is so important that statistics has shown that 30% of the earnings of every family go to the payment of school fees at different levels and carders.

In Nigeria, individuals are allowed to own and manage educational institutions as long as there are no financial expectations from the government to these individuals. In other words, you are allowed to build and run your “private school” if you have the resources and requirements to do so.

Before we jump into how to start a nursery and primary school in Nigeria, let’s talk about the advantages/ benefits the private school has over government owned schools.

Academic Performance – Excellent academic performance is the major advantage private schools have to public or government schools. This is because private schools have more experienced and dedicated teachers who are willing to go the extra miles to harness the individual potentials of their students. This is not usually the case in government-owned schools.

Student Size – There are fewer students in privately owned schools than in public schools. This is to say that with the limited number of students in a class, there is room for excellent teacher-student relationship. Hereby, bringing to light the strength and weaknesses of each student. This is not the same for public schools where the ratio of teachers to students don’t add up. You can find one teacher handling a class of 200 pupils in a class meant for 30.

Discipline – Private schools are seen to have rules, regulations and code of conduct that must be strictly adhered to by all students. Defaulters are easily found out and dealt with appropriately. At the long run, alumni of private schools are more disciplined than their counterparts who graduated from public/government schools.

Strike Actions – Strike actions are common features of public schools where academic and non-academic staff are revolting non-payment of salaries, low income, poor infrastructure or whatever they don’t like. This disrupts academics for weeks or months for government owned schools. Strike actions or labour strike is absent in the private schools sector. Hence is no disruption of the academic calendar.

These advantages are the motivating factors that make parents enroll their children in private nursery and primary schools. For these reasons and more, your private nursery and primary school will be patronized by very many Nigerians.

Let’s do a feasibility study using the nursery and primary school my 2 year old daughter attends in Abuja.

Counting from their pre-nursery to their primary classes, this Montessori has about 200 pupils. Now my daughter’s school fee is about N200, 000.00 per term for pre-nursery.  If 200 students are to pay N200, 000.00 per term, that will be about N40, 000,000.00 per term and 120,000,000.00 a year.  No matter how expensive teaching equipment are in the market and the cost of fuel, the proprietor of this school will not spend up to 10 Million Naira in running the school for a year.

Now you can see that investing in private nursery and primary school business is a lucrative venture with profitable returns? If you are ready to get started, here are the requirements for starting a private school in Nigeria.

Requirements for a Nursery and Primary School in Nigeria

Write a business plan

Before you think about implementing your plans of setting up a nursery and primary in Nigeria, you should do a proper feasibility study and write a business plan. A nursery and primary school business plan in Nigeria will help you to put the following factors into consideration:

• How much money do you have to set up the school?
• Where do you want to site your school?
• Are you going to rent an apartment or buy land and build?
• Who are your competitors in your chosen area?
• What is your unique selling point?
• Who are your targeted audience? Low, middle or upper class?
• How much do you intend to charge for tuition?
• How many academic and non-academic staff do you need?
• And so much more

If you do not know how to write a business plan you can order for our nursery and primary school business plan in Nigeria. To place order for our nursery and primary school business plan pdf, pay the sum of N10, 000 to the bank account below:

BANK NAME: FIRST BANK PLC

ACCOUNT NAME:  CHIBUZOR TOCHI ONYEMENAM

ACCOUNT NUMBER: 3066880122

After payment, send your full name, email address and topic (e.g. feasibility study to establish a private school in nigeria pdf) to 07033378184. Your business plan will be forwarded to your email within 10 minutes of payment.

Secure Location

If you can afford it, get land in a good area and build the school structure.  When I say “good area”, what I mean is in an area that is not far from your targeted customers. Somewhere in town will do. No parents will want to travel all in the name of doing school run or will they patronize your nursery and primary school if you situated in an isolated area. If you do not have enough money to buy land and build, you can rent an apartment till you have made profit to build a permanent structure.

Remember that your facility should cover the following key areas: classrooms, playground, toilets, library, computer lab, clinic, security house and offices. Make sure that your classrooms are spacious with proper ventilation as that is one factor parents consider before enrolling their wards.

Water Supply

To maintain a clean environment and hygiene among pupils, you should install a borehole system that will supply clean water at all times.

Equip your school

Apart from the regular chairs and tables, you will need to equip your school with the right learning aids for all ages and stages of growth. For example, kids in pre- nursery and nursery classes will need a lot of learning aids like large screen TVs and DVD players to play educational videos, building blocks, etc. Stock up your library with the right kind of books and educational materials. Buy a good number of systems for your computer lab so that your pupils will start becoming tech savvy at an early stage in life.

Employ Your Staff

You will have to be careful when it comes to employing people to work in your school. You will have to perform through background check on every one of your staff. Find out the following:

• Who was their last employer (if any).
• Why they left their last job.
• If they ingest or abuse any substance (Do a drug test).
• Their affiliations and religious background.
• Educational / technical background.

Do not assume anything when it comes to employing someone that will work with or around children. This is because we have heard of cases where children are being physically, mentally, emotionally and sexually abused by teachers, cleaners and security agents employed to work in their school. We have also heard of cases where kids are kidnapped from school with aid of an insider working within the school premises. You wouldn’t want that to be the case in your school as that can ruin the reputation of your school forever. That said, make sure that your teachers are well trained and have a National Certificate in Education (NCE). As it is common knowledge that most NCE holders cannot deliver quality teaching in classroom, you are mandated to test your teachers before you hire them. Other qualities that are expected of teachers is that they should be passionate about children, multi-tasking and have an eye for detail.

Register Your School

Like every other business, you will need to register your private school at the Corporate Affair Commission of Nigeria. This will enable you to operate your business without fear of breaking the law. Remember that if your school gets a bad name for not registering as a corporate entity, you stand the risk of having your premises shut down and your students leave to your competitors.

Businessplan.com.ng has an in house lawyer who can help you register your school within the shortest time possible. Contact us at 07033378184 and we will help you register your business with the CAC Nigeria.

Advertise Your School

Send the word out! Let everyone know that your nursery and primary school is up and running. Advertise on your local newspapers, social media, email blasts, etc. Put up posters and handout pamphlets and your business card. Join school associations as this will help provide accreditation and recognition.

Set Resumption date and resume!

To get the full business plan on the nursery and primary business plan in Nigeria + feasibility study, pay N10,000 to:

BANK NAME: GUARANTY TRUST BANK (GTB)

ACCOUNT NAME: CHIBUZOR TOCHI ONYEMENAM

ACCOUNT NUMBER: 0044056891

After payment, send your name, email address and title of business plan (i.e. private school business plan pdf) via text to 07033378184. Your business plan will be sent to your email within 10 minutes after payment. Thank you.

Nursery and Primary School Business Plan in Nigeria © www.businessplan.com.ng

Share this:

Thank you so much Tochi, but before I could pay, I would like to create an avenue to detail you on school business plan you will write for me.

Thank you so much Mr Tochi for such a nice work

Hello Tochi, DO you have a business plan for Coconut Oil Production? if yes, kindly call me on either numbers 08027162366, 09033433696

Thanks for the write up Tochi, is the business plan fee negotiable?

Thanks I will get back to you

Well done and excellent plan.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Notify me of follow-up comments by email.

Notify me of new posts by email.

NEWS... BUT NOT AS YOU KNOW IT

Children could be banned from using smartphones in a UK city

Share this with

St Albans could become the first city in the UK to ban smartphones for under-14s.

Headteachers from St Albans Primary Schools Consortium wrote a joint letter to parents and carers urging them to delay buying phones for their children.

The letter has been signed by 20 out of 24 primary school headteachers in the city.

While most schools already have a no-phone policy, the letter has been written to influence the wider culture of the city.

It says: ‘We encourage all parents to delay giving children a smartphone until they reach the age of 14, opting instead for a text/call phone alternative if necessary.

‘As head teachers we have committed to promoting our own schools as smartphone-free.

‘We believe we can all work together across St Albans and join the growing movement across the country to change the ‘normal’ age that children are given smartphones.’

The letter also states it is supporting the Smartphone Free Childhood campaign which is a grassroots movement aimed to keep childhood smartphone free.

Justine Elbourne-Cload, executive head of Cunningham Hill Schools, said there is a problem with children joining WhatsApp groups where they are bombarded with inappropriate material.

She told The Times : ‘There was a WhatsApp group that started in schools and then became a wider WhatsApp group and there was pornography. Somebody had joined from TikTok and was sending all sorts of dodgy images.’ 

She also highlighted other problems such as children between the age of five and seven using social media unsupervised, the intrusion of devices, and the impact using them has on children’s mental health.

Other problems highlighted include children ‘being connected at all times’ meaning children can’t escape from their peers.

Ms Elbourne-Cload said she hoped that in a few years time ‘it would be a shock to see a child under the age of 11… with a smartphone’.

She added: ‘It is far easier if it is the general norm that no children or very few children have smartphones. If the norm is they will walk around with old Nokia bricks, that’s what everyone will have and that will be fine. Because it always was fine. We’re just trying to roll back that age.’

But the policy idea has received some backlash for secondary school pupils who access their homework on smartphone apps and have to use buses that only allow tickets via an app.

The government unveiled new guidance earlier this year that would crackdown on smartphone use in schools.

Education secretary Gillian Keegan set out options for bans including devices being left at home, teachers collecting them, or having them out of sight in bags.

Esther Ghey, 37, mum of Brianna Ghey, has also been campaigning to restrict phone use among teenagers.

Brianna was murdered by two teenagers who plotted her death over WhatsApp and Snapchat.

One of her murderers, Scarlett Jenkinson, used a special browser to watch real-life torture and murder on the dark web.

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at [email protected] .

For more stories like this, check our news page .

MORE : The Metro daily cartoon by Guy Venables

MORE : Nursery nurse who killed baby by strapping her to bean bag jailed for 14 years

MORE : Alexander Zverev can win the French Open as Rafael Nadal ends his love affair with Roland Garros

Swiss nursery lets robot do the talking

Sat in a circle on the nursery floor, a group of Swiss three-year-olds ask a robot called Nao questions about giraffes and broccoli.

By the time these children become adults, interacting with robots may well be as commonplace as using a smartphone, experts believe.

So one Lausanne creche has decided to give them a head start.

Nao has been a regular visitor at the Nanosphere nursery on the campus of the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology university since the New Year. He is what is called an "interactive learning companion" rather than a substitute teacher.

Preschoolers interact with educational and interactive robot Nao at La Nanosphere creche. /Fabrice Coffrini/AFP

As the children were dropped off, Nao - who is only 58 centimeters tall - stood on a bench to greet them at eye level.

"Hello, my name is Nao. I'm happy to be at the Nanosphere today," he said, in a child-like high-pitched voice. "I left my planet some time ago to come and meet you. I look forward to getting to know you and being able to talk with you in the weeks ahead."

Some children walked straight past, some waved, pointed, touched his hand or simply gazed at him transfixed.

"What will the children's future be like? Will they have to work with robots? Very probably yes," said Olivier Delamadeleine, director-general of the Educalis group of nurseries and primary schools in Lausanne.

"As we are in a place of learning it is important to get them familiarized early so that they're used to working with robots," he added.

Back in the class, teacher Eve L'Eplattenier and the 14 children sat in a circle on the floor with Nao in the middle.

"He's going to come and explain things to you," she said.

"Do you like broccoli? It's very good for your health," the robot said.

L'Eplattenier picked him up and put him on a table. She said Nao would not grow any taller as children do.

The children gathered excitedly around, some jockeying for space. "No squabbling!" Nao told them.

Teacher Eve L'Eplattenier and preschoolers interact with Nao. /Fabrice Coffrini/AFP

Prompted by their teacher, the children tried to catch him out with questions such as, "I am an animal with a trunk. What am I?" When he got it right, they giggled.

Gabriel Paffi, a masters student in robotics, sat in the corner feeding Nao his answers. He programmed the robot and is working on how to adapt it for a nursery's needs.

"The goal is to make it automated so that he no longer needs me to move around and respond to the children," Paffi said.

The first Nao robots hit the market in 2008. Now on generation six, the brand is owned by the Germany-based United Robotics Group and more than 15,000 units have been sold. 

Are we any closer to recreating the Sun's energy?

Why an Austrian heiress wants to give away her $27.3 million fortune

Words of wisdom: How to make the most delicious soup

The plan is for this Nao to spend several years in the Educalis nurseries as his capacities expand. L'Eplattenier said the children are thrilled when Nao turns up, and have bonded with their diminutive friend.

"They are curious to see what he will say, what he will do," she said. He's a companion with little tips and bits of advice. I think he will quickly position himself as the little know-it-all of the group."

As for the parents, they too are keen to see how Nao will settle in.

"I think it's a good way to help the children progress with new technologies," said Guillaume Quentin.

When it was time for Nao to "fly back into space", each child in turn shuffled towards him to say goodbye and give him a wave. He replied to each by name.

"I love you. I will come back soon," he told them.

Subscribe to Storyboard : A weekly newsletter bringing you the best of CGTN every Friday

• Learn Chinese

EXPLORE MORE

DOWNLOAD OUR APP

Copyright © 2024 CGTN. 京ICP备20000184号

Disinformation report hotline: 010-85061466

• Terms of use
• Privacy policy

• Our Supporters

This Alternative Method Of Demolishing Structures Could Help Honolulu Avoid A Landfill Crisis

Photo Essay: Adaptive Surfers Take To The Waves In Waikiki

Hawaii Ethics Commission Grapples With Pay-To-Play Issues

Luxury Housing Planned For South Maui Prompts Concerns Over Water, Traffic And Affordability

• Special Projects
• Mobile Menu

Lahaina Business Owners Dive Into Busy Travel Season

Additional opportunities have arisen in recent weeks as they navigate a new normal after the Aug. 8 fires.

Late April brought the start of a busy travel season for U‘i Kahue-Cabanting and Mario Siatris, who’ve committed to teaching a half-dozen Hawaiian cultural workshops on the mainland through July.

The workshops aren’t money-makers. But Maui Grown 808 is more than a business. It’s a mission, a way to help people deepen their connection to Hawaiian culture.

In three days, the business partners taught coconut-weaving workshops in three counties across Southern California.

At the end of the visit, the trip sponsor, Pacific Island Health Partnership , surprised U‘i and Mario with a jumbo-sized check made out for $10,000 to help further their business recovery. More than 300 employees of PIHP and the health insurer Blue Shield of California contributed to the donation.

“We were fortunate not to lose anyone family-wise, but we come from Kuhua Camp,” U‘i explained as she and Mario accepted the unexpected gift. “We lost 40 neighbors and friends out of the 101 identified.”

Their neighborhood, which was once a housing camp for sugar plantation workers, was the hardest hit by last August’s wildfire in terms of the number of deaths.

A few days after their return to Maui, U‘i boarded a plane to a small village in Alaska to host a series of weaving demonstrations in a visit organized by Naupaka Pacific . She also met with Indigenous leaders to share strategies for combating overtourism that have been successful for community organizers in Hawaii.

Last week U‘i and Mario went to Oregon to teach more weaving workshops and to see their newly assembled trailer for the first time. The business partners plan to ship the 26-foot rig to Maui, where it will become their temporary living quarters until the government gives Mario the green light to rebuild his destroyed Lahaina home.

Up next: Las Vegas, North Carolina, then back to California. Maui Grown 808 will also offer weaving demonstrations at the Festival of the Pacific in Honolulu in June. In the fall they plan to head back to Oregon for another round of workshops.

Yet while the cultural outreach component of U‘i and Mario’s business is soaring, the more lucrative side of Maui Grown 808 is sputtering after so many wildfire losses. 

There have been a few bright spots, however. 

In March, U‘i renegotiated her contract with the Westin resort, securing a $500 weekly revenue increase. 

The income boost helps cover a new business expense: supermarket flowers. Since the fire destroyed Maui Grown 808’s plumeria nursery, U‘i and Mario have had to buy flower bouquets in place of the fragrant plumeria blooms they used to source from their own trees, which all burned down in the Lahaina fire. 

The extra money also helps U‘i and Mario pay their workers higher wages in a tight job market.

Schools, open-air markets, cultural festivals and conferences have gradually started soliciting U‘i and Mario’s services again as Lahaina’s recovery advances. The business partners also joined the lineup of cultural practitioners at the Old Lahaina Luau, which reopened in mid-March . 

The fire spared the luau grounds, but it took months of extensive cleaning and repairs to ready the oceanfront property to welcome back guests for dinner and live entertainment, which now includes Mario’s coconut-weaving demonstrations.

Yet despite so much forward momentum, Maui Grown 808’s primary money-maker — its Lahaina plumeria orchard and native plant nursery — were wiped out by the fire. The blaze also incinerated the office space that housed more than a decade’s worth of business records. 

It will likely take years for U‘i and Mario to overcome these losses.

But the business partners are in good spirits, buoyed by so many new opportunities to share the disappearing art of coconut weaving with people in new corners of the country. 

“It’s at the heart of why we do what we do,” U‘i said.

Civil Beat’s coverage of Maui County is supported in part by grants from the Nuestro Futuro Foundation.

--> Sign up for our FREE morning newsletter and face each day more informed. --> Sign up for our FREE morning newsletter and face each day more informed.

Only 1% of readers are donors to civil beat.

More than 600,000 people read Civil Beat articles every month, but only 7,000 of those readers also donate to support the news they count on. That’s only 1% of readers!

If you are among the 99% of Civil Beat readers who haven’t made a donation before in support of our independent local journalism, you can change that today . A small donation makes a big impact.

About the Author

Top Stories

Condo Owners Are Starting To Feel The Pain From Rising Insurance Costs

Mitsunaga Secretary Acquitted For Bribery Could Still Face State Campaign Violations

Neal Milner: How Both Sides In Marijuana Debate Blew Smoke Up Our Okole

GET IN-DEPTH REPORTING ON HAWAII’S BIGGEST ISSUES

Sign up for our free morning newsletter.

You're officially signed up for our daily newsletter, the Morning Beat. A confirmation email will arrive shortly.

In the meantime, we have other newsletters that you might enjoy. Check the boxes for emails you'd like to receive.

• Breaking News Alerts What's this? Be the first to hear about important news stories with these occasional emails.
• Special Projects & Investigations What's this? You'll hear from us whenever Civil Beat publishes a major project or investigation.
• Environment What's this? Get our latest environmental news on a monthly basis, including updates on Nathan Eagle's 'Hawaii 2040' series.
• Ideas What's this? Get occasional emails highlighting essays, analysis and opinion from IDEAS, Civil Beat's commentary section.

Inbox overcrowded? Don't worry, you can unsubscribe or update your preferences at any time.

• Share full article

For more audio journalism and storytelling, download New York Times Audio , a new iOS app available for news subscribers.

• May 23, 2024   •   34:24 I.C.C. Prosecutor Requests Warrants for Israeli and Hamas Leaders
• May 22, 2024   •   23:20 Biden’s Open War on Hidden Fees
• May 21, 2024   •   24:14 The Crypto Comeback
• May 20, 2024   •   31:51 Was the 401(k) a Mistake?
• May 19, 2024   •   33:23 The Sunday Read: ‘Why Did This Guy Put a Song About Me on Spotify?’
• May 17, 2024   •   51:10 The Campus Protesters Explain Themselves
• May 16, 2024   •   30:47 The Make-or-Break Testimony of Michael Cohen
• May 15, 2024   •   27:03 The Possible Collapse of the U.S. Home Insurance System
• May 14, 2024   •   35:20 Voters Want Change. In Our Poll, They See It in Trump.
• May 13, 2024   •   27:46 How Biden Adopted Trump’s Trade War With China
• May 10, 2024   •   27:42 Stormy Daniels Takes the Stand
• May 9, 2024   •   34:42 One Strongman, One Billion Voters, and the Future of India

The Sunday Read: ‘Why Did This Guy Put a Song About Me on Spotify?’

The answer involves a remarkable — and lucrative, and ridiculous — scheme to game the way we find music today..

By Brett Martin

Read by Eric Jason Martin

Produced by Adrienne Hurst and Aaron Esposito

Narration produced by Tanya Pérez and Krish Seenivasan

Edited by John Woo

Original music by Aaron Esposito

Engineered by Sophia Lanman and Devin Murphy

Listen and follow The Daily Apple Podcasts | Spotify

Have you heard the song “Brett Martin, You a Nice Man, Yes”?

Probably not. On Spotify, “Brett Martin, You a Nice Man, Yes” has not yet accumulated enough streams to even register a tally. Even Brett Martin, a contributing writer for The New York Times Magazine and the titular Nice Man, didn’t hear the 1 minute 14 second song until last summer, a full 11 years after it was uploaded by an artist credited as Papa Razzi and the Photogs.

When Martin stumbled on “Brett Martin, You a Nice Man, Yes,” he naturally assumed it was about a different, more famous Brett Martin: perhaps Brett Martin, the left-handed reliever who until recently played for the Texas Rangers; or Brett Martin, the legendary Australian squash player; or even Clara Brett Martin, the Canadian who in 1897 became the British Empire’s first female lawyer. Only when the singer began referencing details of stories that he made for public radio’s “This American Life” almost 20 years ago did he realize the song was actually about him. The song ended, “I really like you/Will you be my friend?/Will you call me on the phone?” Then it gave a phone number, with a New Hampshire area code.

So, he called.

There are a lot of ways to listen to ‘The Daily.’ Here’s how.

We want to hear from you. Tune in, and tell us what you think. Email us at [email protected] . Follow Michael Barbaro on X: @mikiebarb . And if you’re interested in advertising with The Daily, write to us at [email protected] .

Additional production for The Sunday Read was contributed by Isabella Anderson, Anna Diamond, Sarah Diamond, Elena Hecht, Emma Kehlbeck, Tanya Pérez, Frannie Carr Toth and Krish Seenivasan.

Advertisement