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Opening a school-based nursery: step-by-step guide

Follow our step-by-step guide when opening your school-based nursery, to help make sure you consider everything you need to and that the process goes smoothly.

Last reviewed on 19 March 2026See updates
School types: All•School phases: All•Ref: 51888
Contents
  1. 1. Consider the changes you need to make to your space
  2. 2. Consult with your LA and other relevant bodies
  3. 3. Secure planning and other permissions
  4. 4. Decide on your delivery model, operating hours and number of places
  5. 5. Create a business plan identifying funding streams, and develop administrative and leadership capacity
  6. 6. Create a high-quality learning environment
  7. 7. If required, register the new provision with Ofsted
  8. 8. Develop a curriculum and purchase resources
  9. 9. Recruit and train staff
  10. 10. Create or update policies including safeguarding and health and safety
  11. 11. Advertise places to families

This article sets out the steps you should follow when setting up your school-based nursery (SBN). You should have already identified the need for childcare in your area and made sure you have suitable space to meet minimum requirements.

If you haven’t already taken these steps, see our article on deciding whether to open a school-based nursery.

If you’ve chosen a delivery model where you’re leasing the space to another provider, many of these steps will be completed by the provider instead.

This article is based on guidance from the DfE on establishing school-based nursery provision.

1. Consider the changes you need to make to your space

Read our article on deciding whether to