Founders of kidsunlimited start new nursery group

Stewart and Jeannie Pickering, who established kidsunlimited in 1983, have joined with the McGoff construction group to open a new national nursery chain, Back to the Garden Child Care, with the first setting opening in Altrincham, Greater Manchester next year.

It comes after the pair sold kidsunlimited in 2008 to private equity group LDC. Kidsunlimited is now owned by Bright Horizons, which acquired the group of 64 settings in 2013.

While at kidsunlimited, the Pickerings opened more than 50 nurseries and introduced the first on-site workplace nurseries in the North West for firms including HSBC.

Back to the Garden Child Care will place an emphasis on outdoor play. All of the nurseries will be based in new build settings in order to ensure they are environmentally and economically sustainable, and be situated away from busy main roads with high levels of pollution. They will all feature a gardening and planting patch, large playground and all-weather play areas.

The first setting in Altrincham will provide 120 childcare places and open in September 2018.

Mr Pickering said,  ‘It is exhilarating to be involved in the childcare sector again and in such a hands-on capacity. From the initial set up of the nursery and overseeing the curriculum and equipment to co-ordinating the recruitment, both Jeannie and I will be an integral part of Back to the Garden Child Care.

‘Our philosophy focuses on the health and wellbeing of each and every child, enhancing their nursery experience with a dedicated commitment on outdoor play and activities in the fresh air.’

Ms Pickering added, ‘We are committed to providing the very best childcare in the North West. Careful consideration has been taken in the design of the nursery building and its location away from busy main roads, which addresses concerning issues regarding air pollution.'