The Nursery Business: Recent Episodes
David Kyte & Neil Dudman
Running a nursery can be a lonely place at times.
Neil & Dave will bring a little fun, motivation, ideas and tips for you to implement so that you can improve your business.
Our strengths are the business and marketing - we get others to deliver the care side
If you want to chat about your business and your challenges, email
podcast@yournurserybusiness.co.uk
https://www.yournurserybusiness.co.uk
Send us a text
n this inspiring conversation, Mandy Richardson CEO of Naturally Learning nurseries in Cornwall shares how her nature-based, values-driven approach has created oversubscribed settings, loyal communities, and deeply empowered teams. Discover how core values shape every decision, why team wellbeing drives word-of-mouth growth, and how small details create big impact for children and families. Plus, get a behind-the-scenes look at the upcoming Cornish Early Childhood Conference a unique, affordable, and party-like event bringing the UK’s best early years expertise to Cornwall. Whether you’re a nursery owner, manager, or educator, this session is packed with actionable insights on leadership, culture, and building something truly worth believing in.
Get help with your marketing ...
Https://www.childcaremarketing.co.uk
Send us a text
From one setting to a thriving group with Group 12 behind the scenes, scaling your nursery business isn’t just possible, it’s inevitable. Discover the strategy, systems, and support that power real growth.
Get help with your marketing ...
Https://www.childcaremarketing.co.uk
Send us a text
Want to host a nursery event that parents can’t stop talking about and that leads to real results?
Join us for an inspiring and practical webinar where we’ll walk you through how to plan, promote, and deliver the ultimate nursery event. Whether it’s an Open Day, Summer Fair, Parent Showcase or Graduation Celebration, this session will show you how to turn your ideas into unforgettable experiences that build trust, boost visibility, and increase registrations.
Get help with your marketing ...
Https://www.childcaremarketing.co.uk
Send us a text
Discover the truth behind the UK childcare sector in 2025. In this powerful session, Ben Rolfe (Founder of Childcare Marketing) and Nigel Rolfe (Former Owner of 11 successful day nurseries) share raw, honest insights into what’s really happening across the day nursery and childcare industry.
➡️ What’s working in day nurseries right now
➡️ What’s failing – and why it matters
➡️ Urgent actions every childcare provider must take
Whether you run a single nursery or a growing group, this is your mid-year business reality check. From staff retention to funding pressures and marketing trends, this webinar is packed with essential updates for nursery owners and childcare professionals.
DayNursery #ChildcareBusiness #NurseryOwner #ChildcareMarketing #EarlyYears2025 #ChildcareCrisis #NurseryLeadership #UKChildcare #BenRolfe #NigelRolfe
Get help with your marketing ...
Https://www.childcaremarketing.co.uk
In this episode Dave is talking to Geoff Day about ... savings on your tax bill.
If you want to talk directly to Geoff you can email him at
Geoff.Day@sjpp.co.uk
Get help with your marketing ...
https://yourchildcarebusiness.com
Sian Millar exited the industry in 2019 with a great payout. Now she is back.
She filled her nursery from zero in 6 weeks - furthermore, she has a waiting list of over 100 children.
Listen to how the Queen of Marketing has used social media to recruit staff and children.
You can contact Sian sian@polkadotfarm.co.uk
Get help with your marketing ...
https://yourchildcarebusiness.com
For once Childcare will be centre stage in the 2023 Budget.
What will the chancellor reveal? Neil and Dave pontificate on what's in the red box.
Do you agree?
Fingers crossed for a good day on the 15th March
Get help with your marketing ...
https://yourchildcarebusiness.com
In this episode, we highlight 5 things to consider before you make an offer to buy a nursery.
It could just save you a lot of grief.
Get help with your marketing ...
https://yourchildcarebusiness.com
Who you hang around with REALLY matters - as you will find out in Nursery Rule 10.
Neil has allegedly turned over a new leaf and now only does stuff that is on the calendar - we are the sum of our daily habits, listen to rule 6.
Happy Valentines Day people.
Book your conference tickets as they are currently whizzing out the door.
Get help with your marketing ...
https://yourchildcarebusiness.com
AND ... We're back - Finally!
Neil and Dave talk about HMRC and why some nursery owners are landing up in trouble.
We also talk about the DNO conference this May.
Get help with your marketing ...
https://yourchildcarebusiness.com
In this weeks episode of the nursery business podcast, Dave & Neil discuss the value of your nursery.
When you sell it, will it be enough to retire?
Listen to find out ...
This episode of the Nursery Business Podcast reveals the first 5 Nursery "Business Rules" - maxims and philosophies that can help you run your nursery profitably.
NurseryBusinessRules
After a substantial break, season 2 of the Nursery Business Podcast is back.
If you are a self-employed nursery owner ... be very scared. If you have more than one nursery but only one limited company, you might want to change your structure.
It's good to be back - we have missed our listener :)
In episode 51 of the nursery business podcast, Dave explains what each letter in the acronym P.O.A.D means.
The long and short of it is - money in your pocket.
Dave and Neil talk about realistic pricing when you buy and sell your nrusery
In episode 50 of the nursery business podcast, Neil reveals how some owners are wasting their advertising budget by delivering their adverts for their nursery (in Oldham) to Neil who lives in Bournemouth ... MADNESS.
Are you guilty?
Do you have more than one nursery, registered in the same limited company? Then you need to make one or two changes.
In episode 49 of the nursery business podcast, Neil rants on about companies that use COVID 19 as an excuse to deliver poor customer service. Have you checked your customer service lately?
Dave's Mum brings yet another scam to Dave's attention.
In episode 48 of the nursery business podcast, Dave & Neil discuss adding your photo/origin story to the home page of your website.
People buy from people they know like and trust. How are you engaging with your parents?
Do you introduce your staff to potential clients?
If not - why not?
Find out how you can add personality.
In episode 47 of the Nursery Business Podcast, Neil & Dave discuss how to assess the fairness of your new rent review?
How do you compare the rent of two different size nurseries - say a 25 place and an 80 place nursery.
In episode 46 of the Nursery Business Podcast, Neil and Dave discuss the dilemma of raising your fees, and when is a good time to make the rise.
Neil also talks about his new acquisition - his backup just in case he can't go abroad this Summer.
In episode 45 of the Nursery Business Podcast, Neil & Dave talk about Micro WOW moments and Boris' escape plan.
If all goes well, we will be able to host Nursery parties again - and that means recruitment Tsunais :)
MicroWOW #NurseryPodcast
In episode 44 of the Nursery Business Podcast Dave reveals the free online tool he has used for years to manage his many business interests.
Neil admitted he has it too, but has never used :(
Di you get your Jab - half of Neil's team did, how about your team>
After a brief layoff (Thanks RONER virus), the Nursery Business podcast team are back with some topics to inspire
- What missing ONE fee increase will cost you over 10 years,
- The golden minute when OFSTED or a prospect walks into your setting
- The L'Oreal moment, because your child is worth it
- And the power of BECAUSE ...
In episode 42 of the nursery Business Podcast, Dave & Neil talk to Vance Morris. Vance teaches small business owners how to create experiences from mundane events.
Vance work at Disney Orlando for 10 years and wants your business to stand out from the crowd; to no longer be a commodity. When you implement Vance's ideas, you can charge premium prices.
Vance & Disney are both red hot on customer service. Discover what the L. A. S. T. process Disney uses to implement their vision ... "Make People Happy".
In episode 41 of the Nursery Business Podcast , Dave asks Neil whether he puts his Fees on his website and why?
What are the pros and cons of posting your fees, and is there a better way using Facebook's Messenger?
In episode 40 of the Nursery Business Podcast (YES - episode 30), Dave asks Neil to reveal his recruiting and interviewing strategies.
Neil hates candidates arriving too early for an interview, whereas Dave has no problem with that, but arriving late, now that is definitely a NO NO!
Dave talks about Microsofts recruitment findings, first impression IS everything!
In episode 39 of the Nursery Business podcast, Dave and Neil talk about the 4 recruitment channels Neil uses.
Standing out is the key to attracting quality candidates. If you are advertising a low-cost job, with no perks ... guess what type of candidate you will get?
How can you change up your offer?
In episode 38 of the Nursery Business Podcast, Neil helps out local restaurants by eating out every meal until Thursday (But then that's nothing new).
Neil also reports that since the announcement of the latest lockdown he has signed up 7 extra sessions - WHY?
The new furlough system needs looking into a lot more deeply - but at least the restrictions on early years and schools appear to be more considered.
In episode 37 of the nursery business podcast, Dave & Neil discuss the key elements of a lease that you need to check before you buy a nursery.
Here are a few key sections
- Lease length
- Breakpoints
- Rent reviews
- Who pays the legal costs?
- Insurance
- Usage restrictions
- and more
Even if the lease only has a 1-year rolling lease, the nursery may be worth buying, but your buying strategy must be slightly different.
In episode 36 of the Nursery Business Podcast, Dave asks Neil how much he cam to the valuations for the 7 nurseries that he has bought.
Every nursery is worth something, even if is losing money and only has a short lease.
Many nursery owners drastically over-value their nursery. A business is ONLY worth as much as a buyer is prepared to pay for it.
If you want to sell your nursery, check out https://sellnursery.co.uk
In episode 35 of the nursery business podcast, Dave asks Neil how he approaches negotiating the purchase of a nursery.
If you want to sell a nursery, then this episode will get you into the mind of a current buyer, what they are looking for, what they are prepared to pay and the questions you have to overcome.
In episode 34 of the Nursery Business Podcast, Dave & Neil discuss the latest scams that are prevalent right now, how to spot them and what to watch out for.
Neil also reviews the listener on the latest updates for bubble loans.
In episode 33 of the Nursery Business Podcast, Neil talks about complaints - the cost to the business, the time-wasting for senior staff and how he reduces complaints in his nurseries.
Neil and Dave also talk about KPIs. The one number that instantly reveals how whether you are on track or not.
In episode 32 of the Nursery Business Podcast, Dave reveals the 5 biggest mistakes he sees when people create Adwords campaigns.
These mistakes can cost the owner thousands of pounds in wasted ads. Even if you pay someone to run your campaigns for you, even the professionals might be making these mistakes.
Get more for your Adword's spend.
In episode 31 of the nursery business podcast, Neil and Dave discuss "Getting Ready For Local Lockdown".
You may have more cash in your bank than you have ever had before, but you still need to take care of the fundamentals in your business.
Letting go of the reigns is tough, but you need to get out of the nursery before you can really grow.
Since the only way to grow your business (when you're full) is to get your next setting, in episode 30 of the nursery business podcast, Neil & Dave discusses the process of delegating for growth.
Tesla make you wait for your test drive, during that time the send you stuff, loads of stuff to pre-sell you.
Guess what, you can do this too.
In episode 29 of the Nursery Business podcast, Dave & Neil talk about how you can adapt Tesla's marketing strategy ... what's more, you can do it for free!
In episode 28 of the Nursery Business podcast, Neil & Dave reveal SOME of the things that you can do easily to get more clients using your Facebook account.
When was the last time you changed your page banner?
Don't know how to do that? Listen to the podcast ...
On episode 27 of the nursery business podcast, Dave sets out the rules for good and more importantly the BAD things to do on your website.
Grab a pen and paper, there are many nuggets to implement in this show.
In episode 26 of the Nursery Business podcast (That's 6 months!), Neil and Dave suggest ways that you can stand out from the crowd, even if you run a plain old, bog-standard nursery.
In episode 25 of the nursery business podcast, Dave asks Neil what he looks for when he is in the market for a new nursery.
In episode 24 of the nursery business podcast, Neil moves house AND recruits 10 people using Facebook Ads for only £80, with no agency fees.
Are you using Facebook Ads - if not, it's time to learn.
Sian Millar (Nisbet) is an amazing marketer. Recently she sold her nurseries and is retired - she is way too young to retire.
Listen in and she reveals her secrets to filling her nurseries.
grab a pen and listen to this interview several times - it's solid gold.
In episode 22 of the Nursery Business Podcast – Neil feels strange now that the storm has passed – and decides, now is the time to personally recover and Dave celebrates getting out of hospital.
In episode 21 of the nursery business podcast, Neil drinks alcohol free beer in the garden, but it's ok because we did the podcast in the dark, and Neil and Dave discuss the Returns on investments, comparing property and nurseries.
In episode 20 of the Nursery Business Podcast, I debunk the TALENT myth in favour of coached practice i.e. learning a skill and ...
Neil steals an idea for sending photos of the children in the nursery on postcards to generate some PR in these challenging times.
It's time to ramp up your marketing again.
Dave suggests that you need to be able to test offers on your website quickly.
How one nursery chain trashes a treasured resource ...
And Neil finally gets to book his summer holiday.
On episode 18 of the nursery business podcast ...
Neil asks "When will be hosting physical Mastermind meetings again?"
Aisling declares that restaurants will not need to serve food anymore, and
Maggs, Dave & Neil require the services of the NHS, on the same weekend :(
In episode 17 of the Nursery business podcast,
Neil has a RANT at the lack of clarity,
Dave asks "Call me a traditionalist, but shouldn't you get Childcare in place, BEFORE you say go back to work",
and don't mention Metro Bank to Neil!
In episode 16 of the Nursery Business Podcast,
Dave talks about marketing and plays with his new
Agile tool,
Neil craves a beer, talks about the banks and whilst we
edit this podcast, has money land in his bank.
a checklist of 10 activities that you can be doing right now, to ensure that you emerge from the current madness - strong and sane ...
- Where to get updates,
- Borrowing money,
- Redundancy warning
- And WHEN will the furloughing end
... and 6 more!
Neil saves thousands on his existing contracts,
Dave asks "What the survey said",
And watch out, the auditors are already contacting accountants to discuss your claims.
On this episode of the Nursery Business Podcast
Dave uses an old FREE online tool to ensure that he does his IMPORTANT work first,
Neil suggests why a pause in your new nursery purchase might be a smart move ...
And a quick reminder that ... "everything is temporary!"
Do you need to pay furloughed staff extra when they train at home?
How to get the new ynb app - it contains 2 New calculators.
Are you listening to this podcast on the app?
CCTV - do you need it?
How to avoid this SCARY scam.
http://www.yournurserybusiness.co.uk/app
Beware the moving Chinese takeaway bag.
Will your insurance go through the roof?
The scammers are back - this time pretending to be the HMRC.
Build yourself a list of prospects ready for when you open the doors on freedom day.
(We are recording this podcast "On The Line" the quality is not quite as good as when we are physically in the room together).
Thanks for listening :)
Neil has never worked so hard.
Shonette joined Dave & Neil one the Day Nursery Owners Group.
And should a computer be referred to as him or her?
WARNING - humour nearby :)
It's official - we are facing imminent closure, and who knows for how long.
Here are 22 activities that you should be considering to survive.
The good thing is ... we are not alone, we will get through this together.
Yes - it's scary, but DO NOT PANIC!
Neil bankrupts an airline
Dave plays with his app
What’s the difference between redundancy, layoffs and short time
And Neil has an excess of loo rolls in his boot if anyone is interested
Neil explains why he prefers buying nurseries rather than starting from scratch and how much he is prepared to pay for your nursery.
What is the biggest problem with expanding.
Dave stresses when he loses his tech in London, then he shows you how to cope.
Oh, and this weeks show is a virus free zone!
Dave reveals one of the secret ingredients to success.
What happened when the inspector came to visit Neil?
Are you prepared for a pandemic? Have you changed your policies?
And will you lose entrepreneurs relief when you sell your nursery business?
In episode 5 ...
Neil is moved by a film ...
Dave does a 9 out of 10 Geek out ...
An owner is asked why they measure the length of the child's number 2s ...
If you delay ... you are officially nuts ...
and where is the best place to advertise.
In this episode of the Nursery Business Podcast, Dave and Neil discuss whether it's better to buy a freehold or leasehold nursery, how to setup your marketing for the next 10 years, and what you MUST do when you go through airport security!
https://www.yournurserybusiness.co.uk
Why did Neil get banned from a pub?
Do you have an operations manual? Could you hand it across to someone new and they can discover EXACTLY how to run your business?
Why does Steph’s staff hate the rain?
Neil shows NO grit!
We are the sum of our daily habits - Jeff Olson "The Slight Edge"
And your childcare business is the sum of the daily improvements you make - you are making improvements every day aren't you?
This Podcast will bring you ideas, motivation and funny stories - because, well its childcare isn't it.
Google my business is a great free way to get leads for your business. Make sure you have claimed your listing and that you have filled out all the fields.
Are you having a fee increase this April – after all, the living wage is going up by 6%.
Improve your leadership and management by reading a small book, that is quick to read yet contains so many gems.