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Open a Raising Explorers nursery in your community

We’re looking for committed partners to bring our nurturing, curiosity-led early years approach to new towns and cities. You run the setting; we give you the brand, systems and support to open well and grow.

What you get as a partner

Opening a nursery is a big undertaking. Our partner package is built from the work we’ve done setting up our own settings in Leeds and Bradford, so you’re not starting from a blank page.

Ofsted registration support

Guidance through registration and your pre-registration visit, with safeguarding packs and risk assessment templates ready to adapt.

Policies and procedures

A full suite of EYFS-aligned policies, operational procedures and employment contract templates for every role in the setting.

A recognised brand

The Raising Explorers name, identity, prospectus and marketing materials, plus your own branch page on our website.

Premises and set-up

Help assessing sites, planning room layouts and sourcing furniture and resources that meet early years standards.

Recruitment and training

Role profiles, interview frameworks and induction training so your team is ready on day one, and ongoing CPD after that.

Ongoing support

Regular check-ins, compliance reviews and a partner network to share what works, long after your doors open.

Who we’re looking for

You don’t need to have run a nursery before. What matters most is that you care about children’s early years and want to build something lasting in your area.

Passion for early years

A genuine belief that the first five years shape everything that follows.

Business or leadership experience

Experience managing people, budgets or a team, in childcare or any other sector.

Access to investment

The funds, or the route to finance, needed to secure premises and fit out a setting.

Roots in your community

Local knowledge of families, schools and what parents in your area need.

Commitment to safeguarding

Willingness to put children’s safety and wellbeing ahead of everything else, every day.

From first enquiry to opening day

Every partner follows the same route, at a pace that suits your premises and plans.
1

Register interest

Fill in the form below. It takes about three minutes.
2

Discovery call

An informal chat about your goals, area and experience.
3

Meet the team

Visit one of our settings and review the partnership details.
4

Premises and Ofsted

Secure a site, fit it out and complete registration with our help.
5

Open your doors

Launch with your trained team and our continued support.

Register your interest

Tell us a little about yourself and where you’d like to open. There’s no commitment at this stage. We’ll be in touch within five working days to arrange a discovery call.

Everything you share is kept confidential and used only to respond to your partnership enquiry.

FAQs

Common questions

No. Many successful nursery owners come from other backgrounds. You’ll need a suitably qualified nursery manager, and we’ll help you recruit one. If you plan to manage the setting yourself, we’ll talk through the qualifications required.

It depends mainly on your premises: size, condition and whether you lease or buy. We share a full breakdown of the partnership fee and typical set-up costs during the discovery call.

We’re open to enquiries from across the UK, with a particular focus on Yorkshire. We’ll check whether your area is available when we speak.

Most of the time goes on securing and preparing premises and on Ofsted registration. Your timescale will become clearer once you have a site in mind.

Not at all. Registering interest simply starts the conversation so you can decide whether a Raising Explorers franchise is right for you.