- Since opening its first UK nursery in 2023, Kinderzimmer has rapidly established itself as a leading provider of high-quality early years education;
- Specializing in nurseries and preschool education for children under six, the firm now operates nine sites across London and the south east of England;
- The £3.4m loan from OakNorth will support the launch of Kinderzimmer’s latest sustainable-led site in Surrey, offering spaces for 144 children;
- Demand for nursery places consistently outstrips supply, driven by rising maternal employment, and recent government funding reforms, increasing the need for more sites across the UK[1].
London, 30th March 2026; OakNorth, the digital bank for entrepreneurs, by entrepreneurs, has provided a £3.4m loan to leading independent nursery and preschool operator, Kinderzimmer, to support the launch of its latest site in Surrey.
Since opening its first UK nursery in 2023, Kinderzimmer has rapidly established itself as a leading provider of high-quality early years education. The business has rapidly expanded to nine operational sites, supported by a proven model that combines high quality facilities, strong staff retention, and a bespoke curriculum designed to meet the needs of the children and families they serve.
The £3.4m loan from OakNorth will support the launch of Kinderzimmer’s latest sustainable-led site in Surrey. Located at Ockford Mill in Godalming, the new nursery will accommodate up to 144 children and has been designed with a strong focus on sustainability and high-quality early years education. The site features extensive outdoor space, including woodland and gardens, alongside innovative elements such as a micro-hydro energy system, reflecting Kinderzimmer’s commitment to environmentally responsible operations. The opening will mark Kinderzimmer’s tenth UK setting, further strengthening its presence across London and the South East.
Vishav Roma, Chief Executive of kinderzimmer (UK), commented on the transaction: “Reaching 10 organic settings is a milestone moment for the business, and the Ockford Mill has been a passion project of mine for the last two years. To finally be able to bring this forward and realise our grand plans for a hydro‑powered, sustainable nursery is incredibly rewarding. From our first interactions, it was clear that Stuart and the OakNorth team had a deep understanding of the nursery and early years sector, not just from a financial perspective, but operationally as well. That level of insight gave us real confidence in their ability to support our growth plans.”
Stuart Blair, Senior Director of Debt Finance at OakNorth, added: “Demand for high-quality nursery provision in the UK continues to outstrip supply, making it increasingly important for lenders to support experienced operators like Kinderzimmer, who are delivering much-needed capacity in high-demand areas. With a strong pipeline and a clear, premium positioning, Kinderzimmer is well placed to capitalise on these market dynamics, and we’re pleased to support the business on its continued growth journey.”
ENDS
Notes to editors
[1] PMSI Insights – The UK nursery market
About OakNorth Bank plc
Launched in September 2015, OakNorth is the bank for entrepreneurs, by entrepreneurs. It was founded to address the persistent funding gap facing lower mid-market businesses – a segment that accounts for a significant share of economic output yet remains underserved by traditional banks.
To date, OakNorth has provided over $20bn in lending to thousands of entrepreneur-led businesses across the UK and US, supporting the creation of more than 70,000 jobs and generating more than £40bn in economic value. Throughout multiple economic cycles, the bank has maintained a highly disciplined approach to credit, delivering performance metrics that place it among the top 1% of commercial banks globally.
It is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority.
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[1] PMSI Insights – The UK nursery market