How to sell a childcare or daycare business
Childcare centres are valued on enrolment/occupancy, licensing and staff retention independent of the owner.
The value drivers
High enrolment and long waitlists
Clean licensing and compliance record
Retained qualified staff and a director who isn't the owner
What drags the price down
The risks a buyer discounts
- Staffing shortages and turnover
- Owner acting as director
Typical valuation
typically 3–6× EBITDA depending on scale and occupancy.
Usual buyerchildcare groups and PE-backed education platforms
Indicative only — your defensible range is built from your actual numbers.
How to prepare a childcare or daycare business for sale
Know your number
Get a defensible valuation grounded in your normalised earnings and how buyers actually price businesses like yours.
Close the value gaps
Fix what discounts the price — the risks above — and strengthen the drivers buyers pay a premium for.
Clean the books & data room
Normalise financials and assemble a buyer-ready data room so nothing derails the deal in due diligence.
Run a managed process
Approach several qualified buyers to create competitive tension and protect both price and your leverage.
FAQ
How much is a daycare business worth?
Usually 3–6× EBITDA, driven by enrolment/occupancy, licensing, staff retention and scale.
How do I prepare a childcare business for sale?
Maximise enrolment, keep licensing and compliance spotless, retain qualified staff, and install a director so it runs without the owner.
Selling a childcare or daycare business?
We help owners value, prepare and sell — quietly, and for the best achievable price.