New Nursery Start-Up Checklist
Plan, organise and confidently prepare to open your nursery
Starting a new nursery involves managing a wide range of legal, operational, financial and practical responsibilities. The EYBS New Nursery Start-Up Checklist provides a clear and structured way to organise each stage of the process, from developing your initial business plan to preparing your setting, recruiting staff and welcoming your first families.
Created specifically for new nursery owners, managers and early years organisations, this comprehensive checklist helps you identify what needs to be completed, who is responsible and what evidence or documentation should be retained.
What does the checklist cover?
The checklist is divided into clear, manageable sections covering:
Business planning and market research
Company structure, finance and insurance
Premises selection, planning and lease considerations
Ofsted registration preparation
EYFS requirements and operational planning
Safeguarding and child protection
Health, safety and risk assessment
Recruitment, suitability checks and staff records
Policies, procedures and required documentation
Learning environments, equipment and resources
Funding, fees and financial administration
Marketing, admissions and parent communication
Final opening and readiness checks
Each action includes space to record:
Whether the task has been completed
The person responsible
A target or completion date
Notes, evidence or follow-up actions
Why you will find it useful
The checklist will help you:
Break the start-up process into manageable stages
Keep important tasks and deadlines in one place
Delegate responsibilities across your leadership team
Identify missing documents or outstanding actions
Prepare for registration and pre-opening visits
Build an organised evidence file
Track your progress from initial planning through to opening day
Who is it for?
This resource is suitable for:
Individuals planning to open their first nursery
Existing providers opening an additional setting
Nursery owners and directors
Early years managers and leadership teams
Schools developing nursery provision
Consultants supporting new childcare businesses
What you will receive
You will receive an editable Microsoft Word document featuring professional EYBS branding.
The document can be completed electronically or printed and used as a working checklist during your nursery development journey.
Digital download only. No physical product will be posted.
Important information
This resource is designed to support your planning and organisation. Requirements can vary depending on your premises, business structure, local authority and registration circumstances. Providers should always check the latest requirements and guidance directly with Ofsted, the Department for Education, their local authority and any other relevant professional advisers. Ofsted maintains dedicated guidance for starting and registering nursery and daycare provision.
