Building an early years education network

Overview

Bridle Close was engaged to explore the viability of establishing a network of nurseries across London and home counties, beginning with two anchor sites. The ambition was to create a scalable model that could deliver high-quality early years education while generating stable financial returns for investors.

This project was more than a feasibility study. It required strategic foresight, property sourcing expertise, and a nuanced understanding of the early years sector. Our role was to turn a promising idea into a viable commercial and educational opportunity.

Client Profile

Our client is a well-regarded early years provider with ambitions to expand its footprint across London and the home counties. Backed by a consortium of angel investors, the client sought to replicate its strong outcomes and values-led approach in multiple locations, starting with Balham, Kingston Upon Thames and Richmond.

The aim was twofold: to meet growing demand for quality childcare in high-need areas, and to create a financially sustainable model that could attract further rounds of investment. The client needed an advisor who understood both the dynamics of the early years sector and the strategic requirements of growth funding.

The Challenge

While the early years sector offers meaningful social impact, it also presents operational and financial complexities.

Among the key challenges were:

• Identifying suitable locations with strong local demand and viable economics

• Sourcing properties that were both affordable and adaptable to nursery use

• Attracting early-stage investors willing to support a phased rollout

• Developing a business model that could generate short-term cashflow while remaining scalable

• Establishing governance and performance tracking frameworks appropriate for institutional growth

In essence, the client needed to build not just a nursery network, but a credible investment-grade platform for growth.

Our Approach

Bridle Close began by conducting a detailed market assessment, evaluating demand patterns, pricing models, and regulatory requirements across the Greater London area. This informed a location strategy that prioritised accessibility, community need, and commercial potential.

We then moved swiftly into execution, with three main workstreams:

• Property sourcing and deal negotiation: We identified viable properties in Balham, Kingston Upon Thames and Richmond, three locations with strong fundamentals. Our team managed the negotiations and supported the legal and regulatory processes through to conclusion.

• Business model design: Working closely with the client and funders, we developed a financial and operational model that balanced quality delivery with commercial viability. This included staff-to-child ratios, fee structures, capex requirements, and working capital forecasting.

• Investment mobilisation: We supported the client in attracting a group of angel investors to fund the setup of the initial sites. Our role included preparing the investment case, setting performance metrics, and helping define the shareholder agreement.

We also supported brand positioning and communications, ensuring that the emerging network reflected the values and ambition of the founding team.

The Result

The Balham and Kingston Upon Thames nurseries were launched, each with promising early green shoots. Both settings are establishing themselves as high-quality providers, with positive feedback.

A pipeline of further target sites was also developed, with each location assessed against clear investment criteria and impact potential. Importantly, early-stage funding partners remained engaged, reassured by the transparent strategy and early traction.

The initial settings not only proved operationally viable but also generated sufficient cashflow to support reinvestment. This provided the foundation for the next phase: scaling up. A structured roadmap was put in place, with governance, data systems, and performance indicators that could support future growth.

This project illustrates how combining commercial insight with sector expertise can unlock powerful results. It also reinforced the importance of building investor confidence through disciplined delivery and transparency.

Impact

For the client, this engagement established a credible growth platform; one that balances quality care with sustainable financial planning. The model has since become a blueprint for further site rollouts, and the founding investors are now raising follow-on funding.

For communities, the benefits are clear: increased access to quality early education, local job creation, and long-term family support. In a sector where quality is often compromised by financial pressures, this initiative shows that strategic planning can create space for both impact and returns.

Bridle Close’s approach (methodical, insightful, and collaborative) enabled the client to move from idea to execution with confidence.

Conclusion

At Bridle Close, we specialise in helping mission-driven organisations grow with purpose. Whether supporting early years expansion or education-focused capital projects, we bring the strategic, financial, and operational expertise needed to turn vision into tangible results.

If you are seeking to develop a new educational venture or scale an existing model, we would be delighted to work with you to shape a path to success.