Introducing the
Banana Moon Day Nursery Franchise
Welcome to Banana Moon World
Thank you for taking the time to find out more about the Banana Moon Day Nursery franchise. As you read through this brochure, you will learn: more about our history and development; what makes our nurseries so popular with children and parents; the reasons for our exceptional growth; how the brand has developed; and how you can become part of one of the UK’s fastest growing franchises. Above all, you will learn what it is that makes Banana Moon World such a great place to be!
Introduction
Banana Moon Day Nursery was started in 2006 as a result of the difficulties encountered by one of our Directors when trying to find what he considered to be a good quality day nursery for his own children.
It soon became clear that the standards he required could not be met by any of the nurseries he visited, resulting in the decision to open his own nursery. The aim was clear: to provide high-quality, affordable childcare within a stylish and unique environment. The target though was so much more than that – it was, quite simply, to be the very best.
Within just a few months, this fresh approach to childcare led to the nursery being recognised as one of the best in Warwickshire. Soon, a second nursery was opened to serve the increasing local demand, and this also quickly reached capacity. Word of mouth spread and it very quickly became clear that this was a formula that worked – and worked very well. Based upon the success of these original ‘pilot’ nurseries and the increasingly wide demand, the decision was taken in 2010 to offer franchises to carefully selected applicants across the UK and internationally. The growth has been phenomenal, with new nurseries opening all across the UK and overseas, yet still parents are crying out for more. On average, five new Banana Moon settings open every year; the demand is
Our franchise model has been developed specifically for franchisees who have not had any previous childcare experience. This is the main reason people choose to join a franchise rather than ‘going it alone’. It’s hard enough to set up and run your own nursery, but it’s even more difficult to do this while ensuring it builds into a successful and profitable business at the same time. We know how much support franchisees need. We also know how successful a good franchisee can be – as long as they have the right support behind them from the very start.
We’ve developed and refined our systems over a number of years with this profile of franchisee in mind. It’s important to remember that our founders and our support team have all had first-hand experience of building successful nursery businesses from scratch. As a result of this previous experience, we’re able to offer our franchisees the very highest levels of support. This, coupled with a well-proven business model, will provide every franchisee with the very best opportunity to succeed in a rapidly expanding business sector with a profitable and enjoyable future.
Banana Moon is so much more than just a nursery –each unit is unique, offering an experience like no other to our little customers. It’s not just childcare – they’re entering Banana Moon World, complete with Banana Moon characters, creating a strong brand loyalty. We hope you enjoy finding out more about entering Banana Moon World.
Once you’ve finished reading this brochure, please feel free to get in touch to take the next steps.
A proven franchise
Operating a Banana Moon Day Nursery franchise is rewarding on so many different levels. The business is profitable, without a doubt, but there’s so much more to it than that…
Our model is tried and tested, designed to set franchisees up for long-term success. There’s a very large market for our service, but we recognise – from our own personal experience – that in order to succeed, we need to consistently exceed the expectations of our customers. Parents who visit a Banana Moon Day Nursery never fail to be impressed by our unique approach to childcare: friendly and knowledgeable staff, sophisticated CCTV security, biometric entry systems, stylish premises and high-quality dietary provisions – these are just some of the facilities that make parents choose a Banana Moon Day Nursery over any other.
By becoming part of our brand and operating to our same exacting standards, you too can enjoy the levels of success enjoyed by our current nurseries and benefit from the strength of the brand nationwide.
A business you can be proud of
We’ve seen first-hand how dedication to the proven franchise system leads to success. We’ve spent years perfecting our business model – and, when followed, franchisees are able to reap the benefits.
Successful nurseries can, of course, generate excellent returns on investment and have a significant resale value if you later decide to sell the business. Some franchisees will look at this as an investment opportunity and recruit staff to handle the day-to-day running of the nursery. Others will prefer to be more hands-on and get involved in the fun and friendly world of childcare – either way, the business can be structured to suit what you need both in terms of financial and personal rewards.
It won’t all be easy though. Operating a franchise brings with it a whole host of rules and guidelines with which you must comply. You must feel comfortable receiving regular and thorough audits to make sure that your nursery is operating exactly as it should. It can feel very constricting if you’re not used to this sort of structure, but ultimately, it’s for your own protection and that of your fellow franchisees. We have a duty to protect the Banana Moon brand and to ensure the success of your business.
A transparent and supportive approach
Before you make the decision to open a Banana Moon Day Nursery franchise, we’ll spend time with you to assess your own aims and aspirations. We’re looking for the right people who not only have the skills but also the drive and mindset to make their nursery a success.
We’ll run through sophisticated business modelling processes with you to ensure that you have a clear and transparent view of the business, the investment levels and the likely returns. We take our role here very seriously and if we feel the business is not right for you, we’ll tell you so – you’ll never be subjected to a ‘hard sell’ at any stage in the process.
We view our relationship as a long-term commitment, and we need to ensure that this is right for all parties before proceeding. Because the more nurseries that get it right, the more children who benefit – and that’s what it’s all about!
Becoming a franchisee
Location, location, location
As with so many businesses, location is the key. Once you’ve decided to join us, your journey starts by choosing your operating territory, which will be exclusive to you. We’ll share our formula for finding the ideal location with you. Our detailed data insights use live data to help you make an informed, educated decision when selecting a location, ensuring a strong foundation for success. Much of your financial model will depend upon the premises from which you operate, so again, we’ll help with sourcing these to ensure that they are suitable and fit within your business plan.
Our expert in-house team of property search consultants will begin the searches within the area we have agreed on. You’ll also become involved in this process as you’ll have local knowledge. As a general rule, the more involved you can become, the sooner premises can be found!
Next, we run a feasibility study where we assess the likely costs and returns of any given site. We want you to have a full understanding of all the figures before you go ahead with signing a lease and won’t let you open at a site that is not financially viable. If the site isn’t right, we’ll let you know and continue the search until we find one that is.
Once the ideal property has been identified, you’ll receive full support with the design and layout from our Projects team. You’ll also have access to approved contractors who specialise in fitting out Banana Moon nurseries to our standards, as well as maximising the space available.
Building a nursery
Once we’ve agreed on a suitable site, we’ll look at the current planning consents for the building – if required. Our Turnkey Service includes a planning consultant’s services for the initial assessment and the standard charges for a ‘change of use’ planning application.
Once the premises have been sourced, the next step is to turn your building into a state-of-the-art nursery with that all-important “wow” factor. We have our own contractors who have converted all sorts of buildings in the past, including churches, offices, restaurants, libraries and doctor’s surgeries. It requires in-depth knowledge, not just of the construction and planning regulations, but also of what actually works well from a practical and operational perspective. Once the plans have been drawn up and the costs agreed on, we’ll then project-manage the building works through to completion, including the final deep clean, installation and set up all of your equipment. This project management is included with our Turnkey Service.
While the renovations are in full swing, our Franchise Operations department will be busy helping you get ready for Ofsted, as well as providing support with the recruitment of your Nursery Manager and Deputy Manager. You’ll also be assigned your dedicated Early Years Support Officer (EYSO). You can contact them whenever you need support, and they’ll also visit your nursery on a bimonthly basis to provide tailored recommendations or actions to maintain high standards of practice and care.
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It’s simple to make things difficult, but difficult to make things simple! We have spent years systemising and simplifying our processes in order that – right from the start –a straightforward route to success is set out for you to follow.
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Opening your nursery
By this stage, the building is starting to look like a nursery, and we move to the exciting stage of planning your launch.
It’s not just about finding the perfect location and building – you need to tell people you’re there! Our Marketing team will begin work several weeks before opening to ensure that you start as you mean to go on. We’ll support you with social media and other marketing tools – underpinned by data insights to ensure campaigns are targeted at the right audience. We also have a wellproven system for Open Days, attracting local families to your setting.
Our support
There are many great reasons to franchise with Banana Moon.
As a franchisee, you’ll receive everything you need to get your nursery off the ground as quickly and easily as possible. But that’s not all! You'll also get...
Operational support
Expert support to ensure your nursery achieves its potential. This includes business reviews to provide support with ongoing considerations – like occupancy and compliance –as well as advice on day-today operations.
Early years support
Our expert early years support team will train you on our bespoke curriculum, helping you create a nurturing and stimulating learning environment.
Marketing support
Support from our marketing agency and your own data dashboard, which offer valuable insights to help your team plan for growth and build marketing plans.
Property search and review assistance
We can help you identify premises and can also provide access to Property Search Consultants, including planning permission for change of use, if required.
Recruitment support
Our bespoke platform will help you hire quality candidates who align with our values. We also assist with the initial recruitment of your Nursery Manager and Deputy Manager.
Operating manuals
Access to operational policies, procedures and the curriculum to ensure smooth nursery management. Regular network updates about any government/ regulatory body changes.
Franchise offering
The first step on your journey to becoming a successful Banana Moon franchisee...
Licence fee £30,000
This initial fee grants you access to our esteemed brand license, ensuring you operate under a trusted and recognised name. The fee also secures you an exclusive territory, allowing you to build your business without other Banana Moon competition.
Our dedicated property search and review team will assist you in finding the appropriate property, and we also aid with property negotiations and progressing through legal steps. As part of the fee, we use an enhanced property search engine, which provides the most extensive and accurate course on commercial real estate.
Meanwhile, our full business and operational training will equip you with the skills needed for success. As well as financial modelling and feasibility studies, you’ll receive our detailed operating manuals and benefit from our enhanced curriculum, tailored to give your nursery a competitive edge.
Finally, we offer a thorough demographic and competitor analysis to help you understand your market and position your nursery strategically.
This fee is compulsory for all franchisees.
Franchise offering
Turnkey Service
This service will be quoted once a property is identified, as the cost will depend entirely on the property's condition. In our experience, some properties require more extensive work, which will naturally impact the price. All calculations will be discussed with you once we have found a suitable property.
Although we follow a proven blueprint, each and every Banana Moon nursery is unique – just like the proud owners and excited children that come through the doors each and every day. Your nursery will be tailored to the financial investment available, the property layout, regional governance and the potential demand for early years education in your local area.
Our aim is to provide you with everything you need in order to source a property and make it an official Banana Moon nursery. We’ll then support you in shouting from the rooftops that a new Banana Moon is coming to town! The journey doesn’t end there; we’re with you all the way to make your venture a profitable one and one that can facilitate you becoming a multilocation franchisee.
The refurbishment of the secured property includes the installation of all nursery resources and office equipment, as well as fitting kitchens, replacing floor coverings, preparing outdoor play areas and handling layout changes.
The bespoke nursery resources and furniture package equips you with all the essentials your nursery needs, including tables, chairs, cots, blankets, toys, books and efficient storage solutions.
What could this look like for you...
Becoming part of the Banana Moon franchise gives you access to data-driven marketing resources, launch planning, support, strategy and much, much more...
Our ongoing support
Our franchisees pay a monthly management services fee of 9.5% (+ VAT) of the total monthly sales income.
We know that high-quality childcare and successful businesses come when franchisees are supported. We’re proud to offer expert ongoing guidance in building your business – lifelong support that comes at no additional cost – while our package is continuously being enhanced.
In return for your monthly management services fee, you’ll receive:
• Maintenance and support of CCTV and biometric access systems.
• Ongoing human resources and health & safety support.
• Access to a 24-hour advice line providing full legal support and guidance.
• Access to our award-winning full-service marketing agency, who are always on hand to assist you with all queries and marketing needs.
• Our Early Years Training Academy will provide consistent support throughout. The academy support is split between different locations, such as your nursery, our support office in Warwick and online.
• Maintenance and support of our nursery management software. This is where you will run your nursery in terms of invoicing, registers, occupancy and communication with parents.
• A dedicated Early Years Support Officer who will be part of your journey and build relationships with your team. They will also carry out regular audits to ensure your nursery remains in compliance with all legal and ethical obligations.
• We offer outstanding operational support, including nursery visits and comprehensive business reviews to boost occupancy and provide expert advice to help your setting thrive. You have a dedicated Franchise Operations Support Officer who will be there from the very beginning supporting with everything to do with nursery operations.
Access to a recruitment platform that will support and manage the hiring process, as well as provide an applicant tracking system.
Access to a nursery and franchise support line open Monday to Friday from 8am to 5pm.
Access to our internal interactive Hub, where all essential documents and policies are easily accessible. Connect with fellow franchisees, Banana Moon franchise and suppliers in our community forum to discuss questions and topics.
A fundamental aspect of ethical franchising is the requirement that the franchisee is supported by the franchisor in all aspects pertinent to the success of their business.
Even more fundamental to the overall success is the protection of the brand. Banana Moon invests a very significant amount into each franchisee in order to firstly ensure their commercial success, but also to ensure that the brand value is protected for the benefit of all other franchisees, wherever they are in the world.
Our goal is to see you build a profitable business that you enjoy running long into the future.
Financial information
Can I get finance?
We have good relationships with the main high street banks, most of whom will advance you up to 70% of the funding required. They will, of course, require you to present them with a business plan showing how you intend to build your business. We take care of this for you, creating a plan that banks are very familiar with, using factors like your liquid capital.
The total financial investment will depend upon these terms and whether any improvements are necessary to the premises before opening. The total minimum investment is likely to be around £450,000, therefore we estimate that you should have liquid capital reserves of at least £135,000 before applying for a franchise.
What can I earn?
The profit that you take home, like in any business, depends on how well you run your business and the effort that you put in.
When you visit us to discuss the franchise opportunity, we’ll provide you with financial illustrations and projections based on existing nurseries and the level of business being conducted (subject to signature of a simple Confidentiality Agreement).
We’ll also run through some detailed financial projections and ensure that you have a thorough understanding of the financial aspects of the business as well as the practical and operational sides. At this stage, we’ll be able to provide you with guidance on approaching banks for funding and give you an honest appraisal as to the extent to which you could develop your business, based on your own needs, aspirations and ambition.
Growth
Your role is to uphold the standards with which Banana Moon Day Nurseries have become synonymous, and to enjoy the benefits that this will bring. Building your own successful business is not easy – there is still hard work to be done, sometimes working long hours. In the early days, the rewards will be low, but we take the pain out of setting up your business so that you can start generating income as quickly as possible with us right behind you!
You can quickly establish yourself in your own local area and your business will begin to grow. By following our unique business system, you will enjoy excellent repeat business and referrals from your own (very) satisfied customers. Then, as your business builds, we will work with you to decide how far you want to take it.
We have a dedicated Franchise Operational Support team, who are here to guide you through every stage of growing your business. With their expert advice and ongoing support, you’ll be well-positioned to become a successful multi-unit franchisee. In fact, many of our franchisees have since decided to open second, third and even fourth nurseries. The choice is yours, but we will be with you every step of the way.
Remember also that we only succeed if you succeed; it is therefore very much in our interest to work with you to develop your business as quickly and effectively as possible!
Case studies
Banana Moon Wollaton
Franchise Opened in 2016
I come from a Sales & Relationship management background. In 2016 I decided to look for a business venture, ideally a franchise, as I had not been selfemployed before.
Eventually, I decided on the nursery sector. A choice was made between two main players – the right choice! Banana Moon were welcoming, supportive and efficient from day one of my contacting them, all the way through to helping me set up my brand-new nursery, which is currently thriving.
The best thing about Banana Moon is that you can simply pick up the phone for support and always get the right guidance when you need it. This is great for me as I was new to the sector.
The brand, the experience and, most importantly, the people in this organization make a strong foundation for a new business person to come on board and be successful.
Our nursery in Wollaton, Nottingham, is visually stunning –the transformation from a doctor’s surgery into a nursery has been mesmerising. I would recommend Banana Moon to any potential franchisee and to enjoy the journey as I certainly did!
Kully Shahi
Banana Moon Wollaton
Commitment to best practice
The childcare sector is one of the fastest-growing industries globally. Franchise opportunities are a natural fit for this thriving sector for many reasons, including trust and reputation of an established brand as well as having structured operations and clear support and guidance.
Choosing a franchise that’s a member of a franchise association is also a smart move. It helps protect your interests, gives you ongoing exposure to best practice and developments in the industry and gives you the confidence that you’re choosing a highly audited franchise that adheres to high ethical standards and best practices.
We’re proud to be an Established Member of the British Franchise Association (bfa) – the largest and longest standing franchise association in the UK.
To become a BFA-approved franchise, a business must adhere to a set of standards that establishes best practice in the franchising world. We also have a requirement to comply with the BFA’s Code of Ethics as well as the codes of the European Franchise Federation.
Holding the highest bfa membership level confirms our proven business model. What’s more, the reaccreditation process means we continue to comply with its requirements, ensuring our franchisees’ interests are fully protected.
Key benefits
Spotlight your membership
Showcase the exclusive BFA franchisee logo to show your commitment to excellence.
BFA Flagship events
Unlock exclusive member discounts to all BFA Flagship events, providing unique educational content specific to you.
Join the conversation
Connect with franchisees locally and nationwide at national franchisee forums and local franchisee groups. Share best practice and have your say on burning topics.
Valuable resources
Enjoy an automatic subscription to the BFA magazine, and dial into monthly supplier webinars for top tips on specialist subjects like social media, PR, HR and more!
BFA Hub
Access your member’s area for exclusive memberto-member offers, BFA discounts and video library.
The next steps
1. Franchisee Flight Check
You may have already completed this before downloading our brochure – but if not, this short and light-hearted quiz is an excellent way to gain insights about your strengths and entrepreneurial potential. It’ll also make our next conversations even more productive.
2. Discovery call
To help you delve deeper into our world, we’d love to chat with you and answer any questions you have. During this initial call, we’ll address any of your questions, learn more about you and your vision and guide you through the exciting opportunities ahead.
3. In-person meeting
The next step is a meeting at Banana Moon Franchise in Warwick. Here, we’ll run through the business in a lot more detail, answer all your questions and provide you with some detailed financial models to take away and study. This is to ensure that you have a clear and transparent view of the business, the investment levels and the likely returns.
4. Visiting a nursery
As part of the onboarding process, we’ll also take you to visit a fully operational Banana Moon nursery – giving you the opportunity to witness the operations first-hand, ask any questions and prepare yourself for success in your new venture!