Want to understand what your nursery could be worth?
We provide honest, confidential valuation guidance with no obligation to proceed.
Nursery Acquisition • Greater Manchester
Exit Your Nursery the Right Way — Protect Your Legacy, Unlock Capital, Step Away Without Chaos
Most nursery owners only sell once — and the difference between a good exit and a costly mistake is who you speak to first. We are experienced operators across Greater Manchester who make the process confidential, fair, and dignified.
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Covering Manchester City, Salford, Trafford, Bury, Rochdale, Oldham, Stockport, Tameside, Wigan & Northwest. All enquiries handled in strict confidence. No obligation. No pressure.
What Most Sellers Get Wrong
Most Nursery Owners Leave Value on the Table — or Damage Their Legacy
Most nursery owners only sell once — and the difference between a good exit and a costly mistake is who you speak to first. We are experienced operators across Greater Manchester who make the process confidential, fair, and dignified.
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Accepting below-market valuations
Without a knowledgeable buyer who understands early years financials, you risk undervaluing years of operational work, brand equity, and community trust. -
Selling to buyers who strip and flip
Corporate consolidators often import generic systems, discard culture, and unsettle the team — leaving staff, parents, and children disrupted by a deal that served no one but the buyer's spreadsheet. -
Poor deal structure costing more in tax
Asset vs. share sale, earn-out provisions, deferred consideration — how your deal is structured determines how much you actually keep. Most sellers discover this too late. -
Rushed exits under pressure
Burnout, funding pressures, or personal circumstances often push owners into quick decisions. Speed rarely favours the seller. Clarity does. -
Waiting too long until value declines
A nursery's value is highest when it is stable and compliant. Waiting until things are difficult means negotiating from weakness, not strength.
There is a better way to exit.
We are not brokers. We are not private equity. We are experienced operators who understand the emotional, operational, and financial complexity of letting go — because we have built what you have built.
Our process is designed to protect your value, honour your legacy, and give you genuine options — not a single take-it-or-leave-it offer.
How It Works
Our Structured Exit Process
You deserve a process that is transparent, measured, and designed around your situation — not ours. Here is how every acquisition begins.
01
Confidential Assessment
A private conversation to understand your situation, goals, and timeline. No commitment, no pressure. Just clarity about what is possible.
02
Honest Valuation Guidance
We provide transparent guidance on how your nursery is likely to be valued and which exit pathway best fits your circumstances and financial goals.
03
Structured Offer and Negotiation
A fair, considered offer — structured to maximise your outcome and protect both parties. We work with experienced legal advisers throughout.
04
Transition and Completion
A managed handover that protects your staff, reassures parents, and ensures the setting continues to operate with the standards you set. Most completions take 6 to 12 weeks.
Financial Clarity
What Determines the Value of Your Nursery?
You do not need to guess. These are the five factors we assess in every valuation conversation — and we are transparent about every one of them.
Profitability (EBITDA)
The primary valuation driver. Sector multiples typically range from 3x to 6x EBITDA depending on size, stability, and growth profile.
Occupancy Levels
Occupancy above 75% signals operational health and sustainable income. It directly affects how confidently a buyer can commit.
Ofsted Rating
Outstanding and Good ratings increase value directly. A pending inspection can also affect the timing of any transaction.
Freehold vs. Leasehold
Property ownership adds substantial value. Short leases with unresolved renewals can reduce both value and buyer appetite significantly.
Staffing Stability
A stable, qualified team reduces risk for the incoming operator. High turnover or key-person dependency will be factored into any offer.
Three Exit Pathways
One size does not fit everyone. Choose what fits your season.
Depending on your readiness, your financial position, and your attachment to the nursery, one of three pathways will suit your situation.
Most Common
Pathway 01
Outright Nursery Purchase
The cleanest, most definitive exit. We acquire the business, the property, or both — and you walk away with capital, closure, and complete freedom.
- Full purchase of nursery business
- Property acquisition available
- Lump-sum payment on completion
- Experienced operators take full responsibility
Best for: Owners ready for a complete, dignified transition into the next chapter.
Pathway 02
Management Takeover and Profit Share
If the nursery has real potential but is currently underperforming, we step in as operators — stabilising, restructuring, and growing the setting while you retain ownership and share in future profits.
- We run daily operations
- You retain legal ownership
- Shared upside as performance improves
- Option to sell fully at a later stage
Best for: Owners who want relief now and a financial return later.
Pathway 03
Property Sale with Operational Continuity
Where the building is the primary asset. We purchase the property and lease it back, unlocking immediate capital while the nursery continues without interruption.
- We buy the building
- You receive immediate liquidity
- Nursery operations continue unaffected
- Stable rental income for us; freedom for you
Best for: Owners who want capital now without closing the business.
Side-by-Side Comparison
Which pathway fits your situation?
| Your Situation | Outright Purchase | Management Takeover | Property Sale |
|---|---|---|---|
| You are emotionally and physically exhausted | Immediate exit | Step back; we operate | Relief with liquidity |
| You need capital released now | Lump sum on completion | Capital released over time | Immediate cash from property |
| Your nursery is underperforming | Clean, dignified exit | We stabilise and grow it | Only if operations can continue |
| You care deeply about staff and children | Experienced operators take over | Continuity with better leadership | No operational disruption |
| You are not ready to fully let go | Full exit required | Retain ownership and upside | Partial involvement only |
| You own the nursery property | Business and property together | Not required | Ideal solution |
| You want predictable income, no stress | One-off exit payment | Ongoing profit share | Stable rental income |
| You want simplicity and closure | Best fit | Requires patience | Requires lease arrangement |
Is This Right For You?
A respectful boundary — so the right founders recognise themselves.
This is not for you if…
We are selective about who we work with. Our approach requires alignment on values, not just price.
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Your only goal is maximum price at any cost
Price matters to us. But it is not the only thing that matters. Staff, culture, and continuity are part of every decision we make. -
You want a rushed, pressure-driven deal
We move decisively — but never recklessly. If speed is the only objective, there are brokers better suited to that. -
You are comfortable with your nursery becoming faceless
We do not strip identity or import homogenised corporate systems. If that approach suits you, we are not the right buyer. -
You are not open to honest, two-way dialogue
Our entire process is built on transparency. If that feels uncomfortable, the timing may not be right.
This is for you if…
If these statements describe you, this conversation is worth having.
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You have built something meaningful and want it treated with care
We honour what has been built. We seek to carry it forward responsibly, not overwrite it. -
You are sensing a new season and want to explore your options
No commitment required. A conversation is just a conversation — until you decide otherwise. -
You value people and culture alongside financial outcomes
We are financially serious and people-first. The two are not in conflict. -
You want your exit to feel like completion, not compromise
A dignified transition can be both practical and peaceful. That is what we are here to deliver.
Our Commitment to You
The risk of this conversation is zero.
Every concern nursery owners have about starting this conversation is valid. Here is what we guarantee:
- Complete confidentiality at every stage — staff, parents, and third parties are never contacted without your explicit consent.
- No pressure, no artificial deadlines. If the timing is wrong, we will tell you.
- Honest valuation guidance — even if the number is not what you hoped for.
- Operator-led decisions, not spreadsheet-led ones. We understand what you have built because we have built the same thing.
- If we are not the right fit for your nursery, we will tell you clearly — even if it means you sell elsewhere.
"Many owners tell us they felt peace about the decision before the paperwork ever began. That matters to us more than any commercial metric."
Andrew Omole, CEO, WMB Childcare Ltd
Our Commitment to You
The best time to explore your exit is before you need to.
A nursery’s value is highest when it is stable, compliant, and operational. These are the moments when a prepared exit gives you the most options.
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Before burnout affects the business
Leadership fatigue affects culture, retention, and inspection outcomes. Proactive sellers have leverage. Reactive sellers have urgency — and urgency rarely serves the seller. -
Before value begins to decline
Occupancy trends, Ofsted ratings, and staff stability all influence valuation. A strong nursery commands a strong offer. Waiting until things deteriorate means negotiating from a weakened position. -
Before external pressures force decisions
Lease renewals, funding changes, key staff departures, or personal circumstances can create urgency. Founders who have explored their options in advance are never caught unprepared.
We are currently reviewing acquisitions across Greater Manchester.
We work with a limited number of nursery owners at any one time to ensure every conversation receives proper attention. If you are considering your options — even at an early stage — now is the right time to talk.
No commitment. No obligation. Just a conversation.
The People Behind WMB
You are not speaking with a corporate buyer. You are speaking with operators.
Andrew Omole
Chief Executive Officer
Folake Omole
Director of Operations
We are currently reviewing acquisitions across Greater Manchester.
Before the portfolio. Before the teams. Before the growth — there was just one home, a deep sense of calling, and a willingness to start small.
We began as childminders. Not investors. Not corporate buyers. Practitioners doing the work with our own hands — worrying about ratios, inspections, fees, and whether the numbers would stretch another month.
That season shaped everything. The growth that followed was not built on reckless borrowing or speculation. It was built on cashflow discipline, operational excellence, and long-term thinking.
- Started as registered childminders in Greater Manchester
- Opened first nursery site through reinvested cashflow
- Scaled to 6 profitable sites over 15+ years
- Completed 2 further acquisitions, ready to commence operations
- Built a multi-million-pound group without external borrowing
"When nursery owners choose us, they are not just selling an asset. They are entrusting their legacy, their staff, and their community impact. We take that seriously."
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Valuations in the early years sector are typically based on an EBITDA multiple, adjusted for occupancy levels, lease terms, Ofsted rating, and property ownership. We provide transparent, honest valuation guidance during your first conversation — even if the number requires some honest reflection. We will never inflate an offer to win a deal we cannot complete.
Your team is the operational core of your nursery and culture is not something we treat lightly. We do not erase what exists — we strengthen it. Staff are never contacted prematurely. Communication is handled carefully and only once terms are agreed. Our track record across six operating sites is one of staff retention and leadership development, not disruption.
Discretion is non-negotiable. Parents are not informed during exploratory conversations or early negotiations. When the time comes, communication is planned carefully to prioritise reassurance and continuity. You always have a say in how and when families are informed, and the transition is positioned as an investment in the setting’s future — not a disruption.
Because we operate without external borrowing or private equity layers, we are able to act decisively once terms are agreed. In most cases, transactions complete within 6 to 12 weeks, subject to legal due diligence and the pathway chosen. We move with clarity, not chaos.
Often, yes. We are operators, not speculators. Where others see a struggling business, we frequently see misaligned systems and correctable challenges. If the location is sound and the heart of the nursery is right, underperformance is usually structural rather than permanent. We specialise in restoring clarity, strengthening leadership, and rebuilding sustainable profitability.
Only if you want to. Some founders prefer a clean exit. Others choose a phased handover for peace of mind. We build the transition around your preference — not ours. Freedom should feel freeing.
We do not strip assets, flip nurseries for a quick return, impose corporate culture, or treat this as a transaction to be closed. We are owners ourselves — we understand the emotional weight of this decision, the operational complexity of the sector, and the responsibility that comes with caring for young children. Our acquisitions are built to last, not to be sold on.
Not Ready to Speak Yet?
That is completely fine. Start at your own pace.
Some owners are ready for a conversation today. Others need to gather their thoughts first. Either way, there is a starting point that fits where you are right now.
Request a Valuation Overview
Tell us the basics and we will give you an honest, informal indication of likely value — privately, before any formal process begins.
Send a Quick Message
Not ready for a call? Drop us a message with where you are and what you are thinking. We will respond privately, without pressure.
Book a Consultation When Ready
When you are ready for a structured, confidential conversation with the founders directly, book below. No preparation required.
Start Here
You have already done the hard part. Now comes the wise part.
Book a confidential consultation. No pressure, no obligation — just a straightforward conversation about what your options could look like.
- Strictly confidential — staff and parents are never contacted without your consent
- No obligation to proceed at any stage
- Honest guidance, even if we are not the right fit
- Speak directly with the founders, not a broker
- Covering all Greater Manchester boroughs
Prefer to speak directly
Book Your Confidential Consultation
We respond to every enquiry within one business day. Your message is treated with full discretion.
All enquiries are handled with the utmost discretion. We do not contact staff, parents, or third parties without your explicit consent. Submitting an enquiry does not create any obligation, and no action is taken without your agreement.
If you would prefer to speak directly, you’re welcome to contact us in confidence:
📞 0161 205 9067 ✉️ info@wmbchildcare.co.uk
Every conversation is values-led, confidential, and focused on clarity — not pressure.