Bright Horizons buys Zoom

Zoom was set up by sisters Bella Landen and Sophie Hubble in 2003 and operates five nurseries in south-east London, offering around 350 childcare places.

They opened the first site in Hither Green, east London, in January 2003, and four other nurseries followed: a bespoke baby unit across the road from the first nursery in 2004, followed by settings in Eltham in 2005, Blackheath in 2011, and Brockley in 2015.

Bella Landen and Sophie Hubble, told Nursery World, ‘We believe that Bright Horizons Family Solutions are the perfect company to continue Zoom’s legacy. 

‘From very early on it was evident that our vision and values were in tune with each other and that their internal resources would make a positive impact for our children, families and team. 

‘We have felt so privileged to be part of Zoom’s journey and leave in the knowledge that its future is in very safe hands with Bright Horizons.’

It is the second deal of the month for Bright Horizons, which also recently acquired the 12-strong group Yellow Dot Nurseries, based in Hampshire.

Lydia Hopper, general manager at Bright Horizons, said, ‘Bright Horizons has long admired the work of Bella and Sophie and the excellent reputation that Zoom has established in the Blackheath area. We are therefore delighted to be welcoming the children and families they serve as well as their nursery teams into our Bright Horizons family.

'Sharing a strong commitment to early years education and childcare, we firmly believe that each Zoom nursery will continue to flourish with Bright Horizons.’