How to Fill Nursery Spaces: Practical Nursery Marketing Ideas That Work

Picture this: It’s Monday morning, you check the register… and there it is again — three empty spaces.
That’s not just lost income. It’s missed opportunities to help children, reassure parents, and strengthen your nursery’s reputation.

The truth is, even the warmest, highest-quality nurseries sometimes struggle to keep their spaces full. Parents have more options than ever, and if your nursery isn’t visible at the right time in the right places, they’ll choose somewhere else.

Filling nursery spaces can be one of the biggest challenges for owners and managers. Even the most caring, high-quality nurseries sometimes struggle to attract the right families consistently. The good news? Learning how to fill nursery spaces comes down to a mix of smart, targeted marketing and building trust with local parents.

The good news? Filling nursery spaces isn’t about luck, it’s about strategy. And with the right marketing approach, you can go from chasing enquiries to running a nursery with a waitlist.

In this guide, we’ll explore practical nursery marketing ideas that you can start using today to boost enquiries, increase bookings, and maintain a thriving waitlist year-round.

Why Learning How to Fill Nursery Spaces Matters

An empty space isn’t just lost income — it’s a missed opportunity to help a child and strengthen your nursery’s reputation. By taking a proactive approach, you can make sure your nursery is the first choice for parents searching for “nurseries near me.”

1. Use Local SEO to Fill Nursery Spaces

When parents need childcare, they turn to Google. If your nursery doesn’t appear in those local search results, you’re already behind.

Tips:

• Claim and optimise your Google Business Profile with up-to-date hours, photos, and descriptions.
• Include your town or area in website titles, headings, and descriptions.
• Encourage happy parents to leave reviews — they improve search rankings and build trust.

2. Create a Website That Converts Visitors into Enquiries

Your website is often the first impression parents have of your nursery. Make sure it encourages them to reach out.

Tips:

• Keep the design simple, clear, and mobile-friendly.
• Show awards, testimonials, and Ofsted ratings.
• Use clear calls to action like “Book a Tour” or “Enquire Now.”

3. Boost Visibility with Social Media Nursery Marketing Ideas

Social media is a powerful way to connect with local parents and showcase your nursery’s personality.

Tips:

• Share photos and videos of daily activities, staff spotlights, and events.
• Use Stories and Reels for quick, engaging content.
• Reply promptly to comments and direct messages to keep leads warm.

4. Run Paid Ads to Fill Nursery Spaces Quickly

Organic marketing is powerful, but paid ads can put your nursery in front of parents at the exact moment they’re looking for childcare.

Ideas:

• Facebook & Instagram ads targeting local parents by location and interests.
• Google Ads for searches like “nursery in [your area]” or “childcare near me.”
• Retargeting ads to remind visitors who haven’t booked a tour yet.

5. Use Reputation & Referrals to Keep Spaces Full

Word-of-mouth is still one of the strongest ways to bring in new families.

Tips:

• Offer referral rewards for parents who recommend you.
• Share success stories of children’s achievements.
• Be visible in the local community through events or sponsorships.

Final Thoughts

Mastering how to fill nursery spaces isn’t about one magic trick — it’s about consistently applying the right mix of nursery marketing ideas that make you visible, trusted, and chosen.

The best part? You don’t have to do it alone.
All of these strategies can be handled for you by our trusted partners, InGrowth Marketing Agency. Many UK nurseries already rely on their all-inclusive marketing services and no longer worry about filling spaces — their waitlists are thriving.

👉 Imagine your nursery fully booked, your reputation growing, and new families reaching out every week. That’s what InGrowth helps their clients achieve.

You can even book a free, no-obligation consultancy call with their experts. They’ll identify gaps in your current marketing and give you tailored, professional suggestions to improve your results.