Nursery Chains 2024: Directory - People & places

Wednesday, January 31, 2024

For your guide to the who, what and where of nursery chains, our directory gives you all the information you need

Little Adventures Nurseries is a group of six settings and is new to this year's directory

ACORN EARLY YEARS

Head office:47 Waterside Barns, Lincoln Lodge Business Centre, Castlethorpe, Milton Keynes, MK19 7ES

Tel: 01908 510309

Email: info@acornearlyyears.org.uk

Website: www.acornearlyyears.org.uk

Chief executive: Zoë Raven

Established: 1989

Owns/manages 16 nurseries: Beds: Sharnbrook (62); Milton Keynes: Castlethorpe (36), CMK (48), Emberton (37), Fishermead (64), Fullers Slade (46), Kents Hill (60), Netherfield (38), New Bradwell (33), Open University (52), Shenley Church End (48), Stony Stratford (40), Westcroft (91); Northants: Brafield-on-the-Green (45), Burton Latimer (93), Stanwick (54). Also runs Forest Schools, out-of-school clubs, training and a consultancy.

Places: 847

Employees: 430

ACORNS NURSERIES

Head office: Acorns House, 7 Park Grove, Cardiff, CF10 3BJ

Tel: 02920 382009

Email: info@acornsnurseries.co.uk

Website: www.acornsnurseries.co.uk

Directors: Peter Reynolds, Cherie Wilson

Established: 1988

Owns 10 nurseries: Bristol (120); Cardiff: Llandaff (60), Llanishen (90), Oakfield Street (49), Park Grove (147), Baby Acorns (55), Whitchurch (84); Duffryn, Newport (48); Rhondda Cynon Taf: Park Nantgarw (68), USW, Treforest (60). Manages 2 workplace nurseries: Bristol, Aviva (33); Newport, Office for National Statistics (120). Also runs a holiday club:Action Pak (297).

Places: 934

Employees: 428

ALPHABET HOUSE DAY NURSERIES

Head office: Gunthorpe Road, Lowdham, Notts, NG14 7EN

Tel: 0115 966 4556

Email: headoffice@alphabethouse.co.uk

Website: www.alphabethouse.co.uk

Directors: Marie Brentford, Anthony Brentford

Established: 1996

Owns 4 nurseries: Beeston (40), Lowdham (67), West Bridgford (85), White Post (100) – all in Notts

Places: 292

Employees: 92

ALPHABET HOUSE NURSERIES

Head office: 1 Didsbury Close, London, E6 2SX

Tel: 020 8470 7824

Email: info@alphabethousenurseries.co.uk

Website: www.alphabethousenurseries.co.uk

Director: Kemi Balogun

Area manager: Razna Akhtar

Established: 1994

Owns 8 nurseries: London: Beckton (32), Didsbury (47), Canberra (71), Greenwich (50), North Woolwich (24), Stratford (78), Upton Park (60), Waterside Park (52)

Places: 414

Employees: 80

ASHBOURNE DAY NURSERIES*

Head office: Chantry House, 13 Watling Street, Fenny Stratford, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, MK2 2BU

Tel: 0800 699 0044

Email: enquiries@ashbournedaynurseries.com

Website: www.ashbournedaynurseries.com

Owner: Imran Mehdi

Managing director: Jo Turley

Established: 2008

Owns 29 nurseries: Alfreton (87), Banbury, Oxon (57), Barking, Essex (39), Birmingham (98), Cheltenham (37), Chesham Bois (53), Cheshunt (88), Hertford (74), Hoddesdon (48), Houghton Regis (104), Leavesden, Herts (58), Leicester 1 (150), Leicester 2 (36), Leighton Buzzard (45), Mawsley, Kettering (54), Milton Keynes 1 (67), Milton Keynes 2 (49), Milton Keynes 3 (107), New Ollerton, Notts (104), Northampton 1 (68), Northampton 2 (120), Northampton 3 (60), Princes Risborough 1 (52), Princes Risborough 2 (24), Southam (51), St Albans (25), Swanbourne, Bucks (71), Wellingborough (66), Wing, Bucks (57)

Places: 1,949

Employees: 400

Plans: Five new openings in the first quarter of this year.

ATHERTON HOUSE NURSERY GROUP

Head office: 2 Victoria Road West, Blundellsands, Liverpool, L23 8UQ

Tel: 0151 363 9911

Email: childcare@athertonhousegroup.co.uk

Directors: Tim, Alice and George Apel

Established: 2001

Owns/manages 5 nurseries: Greater Manchester 1 (55), Greater Manchester 2 (55); Liverpool 1 (65), Liverpool 2 (92); Warrington, Cheshire (72)

Places: 339

Employees: 150

BAMBINOS

Head office: Bambinos Childcare Centres, 31 Houndiscombe Road, Mutley, Plymouth, Devon, PL4 6EU

Tel: 01752 226767

Email: office@bambinosdaynursery.co.uk

Website: www.bambinosdaynursery.co.uk

Directors: Xiaobing Wang, Chanyan Xu, Sara Richards

Established: 1993

Owns 4 nurseries: Plymouth: City (95), Plymstock (64), Tavistock (62), Woolwell (59)

Places: 280

Employees: 90

BANANA MOON

Head office: 1A Tournament Court, Edgehill Drive, Warwick, CV34 6LG

Tel: 01926 338497

Email: info@bananamoonfranchise.com

Website: www.bananamoonfranchise.com

Managing director: Mark Bates

Directors: Mike Bates and Josh Smallwood

Established: 2010

47 nurseries as part of a franchise: Aberdeen 1 (81), Aberdeen 2 (120), Aberdeen 3 (46), Aberdeen 4 (60); Altrincham, Cheshire (75); Baddesley Ensor, Warwickshire (34); Barnstaple, Devon (78); Billericay, Essex (68); Birmingham 1 (94), Birmingham 2 (56); Birmingham 3 (93); Bridgend, S. Wales (78); Bromley (70); Catterick, N. Yorks (72); Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire (51); Coity, S. Wales (19); Colchester, Essex (125); Coventry, W. Midlands (36); Gloucester, Glos (47); Hamilton, Leicester (84); Harbury, Warwickshire (56); Harlow, Essex (68); Hatton, Warwickshire (110); Kempston, Bedfordshire (67); Kingsbury, Staffordshire (31); Leeds, W. Yorks (78); Littleover, Derby (72); London: Battersea (55), Chiswick (64), Croydon (77), Nunhead 1 (52), Nunhead 2 (30), Wimbledon (74); Lower Sundon, Bedfordshire (34); Manchester 1 (47), Manchester 2 (71); Mirfield, Yorkshire (120); Nottingham, Notts (68); Reading, Berks (73), Sheffield, S. Yorks (65); St Albans, Herts (79); Stoke Poges, Buckinghamshire (85); Sutton Coldfield, W. Midlands (64); Tunbridge Wells, Kent (64); Walsall, W. Mids (42); West Bromwich, W. Midlands (48); Wolverhampton, W. Midlands (54). Plus 1 before- and after-school club: Norristhorpe, W. Yorkshire

Places: 3,135

Employees: 800

Plans: Four new openings planned; one in Royston, one in London and two in Tyne and Wear.

BIG LIFE GROUP

Head office: 1st Floor, 463 Stretford Road, Manchester, M16 9AB

Tel: 0161 848 2420

Email: rhuksana.ahmed@biglifeschools.com

Website: www.thebiglifegroup.com

Director: Rhuksana Ahmed

Established: 2004

Owns/manages 2 nurseries: Longsight (112), Unity (86) – both in Manchester. Also runs3 children’s centres and2 community primary schools.

Places: 198

Employees: 69

BLUEBELL CHILDREN’S NURSERIES

Head office: Dittons Road, Stone Cross, Pevensey, East Sussex, BN24 5ES

Tel: 01323 487081

Director: Greg Darby

Operations manager: Harriet Crouch

Email: hill@bluebellnurseries.co.uk

Website: www.bluebellnurseries.co.uk

Owns 3 nurseries: Bluebell Hill, Eastbourne (62), Bluebell Wood, Heathfield (40), Bluebell Barn, Stone Cross, Pevensey (62)– all in E. Sussex

Places: 164

Employees: 98

BOWS AND ARROWS GROUP

Operates 7 nurseries: Buttons and Bows, Little Learners, Forest Learners, The Children’s Triangle, Ravenswood, Wellington and WigWams

Head office: Felaw Maltings, 44 Felaw Street, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP2 8SJ

Tel: 01473 599038

Email: hello@bowsandarrows group.co.uk

Website: www.bowsandarrows group.co.uk

Chief executive: Anne Denny

Established: 2004

Owns 7 nurseries: Ipswich, Suffolk: Aster Road (71), Chevallier Street (26), Hening Avenue (51), Hogarth Road 1 (62), Hogarth Road 2 (15), Paul’s Road (32), Whitton Church Lane (71)

Places: 328

Employees: 98

BRIGHTER BEGINNINGS DAY NURSERIES

Head office: Newhall Lodge, Stocks Lane, Over Peover, Knutsford, Cheshire, WA16 9HA

Tel: 07976 069818

Email: sharon@brighterbeginnings.co.uk

Website: www.brighterbeginnings.co.uk

Directors: Gill Race (managing director), David Race (co-founder), Sharon Street (general director), Tom Race (general director)

Established: 1991

Owns 9 nurseries: Manchester: Burnage (52), Charlestown (117), Fallowfield (52), New Moston (67), Newton Heath (83), Rusholme (52), Wetherby Street (72); Oldham: Chadderton (72), Fitton Hill (50). 3 out-of-school and holiday clubs: Charlestown (47), Newton Heath (30), Rusholme (30). Also runs a training centre.

Places: 617

Employees: 240

BRIGHT HORIZONS FAMILY SOLUTIONS

Head office: Pioneer House, (1st and 2nd floor), 7 Rushmills, Northampton, NN4 7YB

Tel: 01933 415900

Email: generalenquiries@brighthorizons.com

Website: www.brighthorizons.co.uk

Managing director: Ros Marshal

Established: 1988

Owns or manages 271 nurseries: Aberdeen 1 (53), Aberdeen 2 (51), Aberdeen 3 (67), Aberdeen 4 (41), Aberdeen 5 (99); Astley, G. Manchester (75); Aylesbury (91); Barrow-In-Furness, Cumbria (62); Berks: Bracknell 1 (50), Bracknell 2 (96), Maidenhead (93), Reading (112), Sonning (169), Windsor (80), Wokingham (83); Birmingham, W. Midlands (61); Bolton, Lancs (75); Bramingham, Beds (120); Brighton, E. Sussex (65); Bristol 1 (56), Bristol 2 (48); Burgess Hill, W. Sussex 1 (64), Burgess Hill 2 (45), Burgess Hill 3 (26), Burgess Hill 4 (65); Cambridgeshire: Cambridge 1 (152), Cambridge 2 (76), Cambridge 3 (126), Cambridge 4 (88), Cambridge Science Park (148), Ely (120), Fulbourn (108); Cheshire: Chester (60), Prestbury (65), Timperley (88), Tytherington (90), Warrington 1 (123), Warrington 2 (108), Wilmslow (96); Crawley, W. Sussex (92); Edinburgh 1 (101), Edinburgh 2 (49), Edinburgh 3 (112), Edinburgh 4 (68), Edinburgh 5 (59), Edinburgh 6 (65); Essex: Basildon (83), Brentwood (110), Chelmsford (80), Chigwell (98), Epping (92), Loughton (56), Saffron Walden (79), Shenfield (108), Woodford Green (60); Glasgow (113); Hants: Ampfield (64), Andover 1 (75), Andover 2 (40), Basingstoke 1 (108), Basingstoke 2 (102), Chandlers Ford (64), Chilworth (64), Church Crookham (80), Eastleigh (75), Fair Oak (67), Farnborough (104), Fleet (120), Hedge End (64), North Baddesley (64), Otterbourne (90), Romsey (66), Southampton 1 (71), Southampton 2 (78), Southampton 3 (83), Southampton 4 (64); Winchester (75); Haywards Heath, W. Sussex (57); Herts: Cheshunt (77), Harpenden 1 (52), Harpenden 2 (110), Hemel Hempstead (92), Hertford (112), Sawbridgeworth (56), Watford 1 (92), Watford 2 (63); Hinckley, Leics (104); Horsham, W. Sussex (102); Hove, E. Sussex 1 (124), Hove 2 (72), Hove 3 (64); Hull, E. Yorks (77); Kent: Beckenham 1 (64), Beckenham 2 (53), Bexleyheath (92), Bickley (92), Bromley 1 (74), Bromley 2 (103), Canterbury (130), Dartford (144), Kings Hill (129), Longfield (84), Maidstone 1 (96), Maidstone 2 (54), Maidstone 3 (56), Petts Wood (68), Swanscombe (144), Sevenoaks (63), Tonbridge (70), Tunbridge Wells 1 (40), Tunbridge Wells 2 (68), Wilmington (97); Lancaster, Lancs (62); Leeds, Yorks (69), Lichfield, Staffs (119); Liverpool 1, Merseyside (83), Liverpool 2 (60), Liverpool 3 (67); London: Balham (65), Bank Street (67), Barbican (54), Barnes (79), Barnet 1 (130), Barnet 2 (75), Battersea (61), Blackheath (74), Brockley (101), Canada Square (100), Carshalton (65), Chingford (60), Chelsea (46), Chiswick (87), Chiswick Park (75), Clapham (137), Columbus Courtyard (122), Coulsdon (84), Crouch End 1 (88), Crouch End 2 (79), East Greenwich (52), East India Dock 1 (94), East India Dock 2 (96), Eltham 1 (71), Eltham 2 (47), Enfield 1 (62), Enfield 2 (52), Enfield 3 (87), Finchley 1 (84), Finchley 2 (96), Finsbury Park (97), Fulham 1 (137), Fulham 2 (69), Golders Green (53), Greenwich (61), Hendon 1 (104), Hendon 2 (73), Highams Park (59), Highbury (70), Hither Green 1 (48), Hither Green 2 (73), Holland Park (79), Holloway (84), Hounslow (93), Hyde Park (46), Islington (48), Kenton (88), Kew (66), Kingston 1 (73), Kingston 2 (98), Kingston 3 (99), Lewisham 1 (54), Lewisham 2 (63), Mount Vernon (124), Muswell Hill 1 (97), Muswell Hill 2 (82), New Eltham (120), New Southgate (58), North Cheam (80), North Finchley (96), Palmers Green (64), Peckham Rye (73), Pinner 1 (87), Pinner 2 (67), Purley (96), Putney (62), Raynes Park 1 (62), Raynes Park 2 (45), Regents Park (75), Richmond 1 (71), Richmond 2 (84), Ruislip (74), Southfields (50), Southgate 1 (99), Southgate 2 (75), Stoke Newington (92), Spitalfields (50), St John’s Wood (92), Surbiton 1 (92), Surbiton 2 (76), Sutton (55), Teddington 1 (97), Teddington 2 (78), Tooting (156), Twickenham 1 (121), Twickenham 2 (71), Twickenham 3 (24); Upminster (77), Wandsworth (105), Wandsworth Common (68), Wembley (120), West Dulwich 1 (76), West Dulwich 2 (76), West Hampstead 1 (80), West Hampstead 2 (136), Whetstone (48), Wimbledon (95); Manchester 1 (144), Manchester 2 (100), Manchester 3 (99), Manchester 4, Trafford (70); Milton Keynes: Wavendon (65), Wolverton Mill (88); Moortown, Yorks (56); Northampton 1, Northants (58), Northampton 2 (48); Nottingham, Notts (83); Oxon: Abingdon 1 (114), Abingdon 2 (130), Didcot 1 (112), Didcot 2 (92), Didcot 3 (112), Oxford 1 (144), Oxford 2 (104), Wallingford (142); Poole 1, Dorset (42), Poole 2 (93); Renfrew, Renfrewshire (52); Sheffield 1, S. Yorks (84), Sheffield 2 (76); Shoreham-by-Sea 1, W. Sussex (106), Shoreham-by-Sea 2 (65); Solihull, W. Mids (90); Suffolk: Bury St Edmunds (97), Great Cornard (82), Ipswich (90); Surrey: Banstead (98), Caterham 1 (98), Caterham 2 (72), Dorking (96), Egham (69), Epsom (124), Farnham 1 (92), Farnham 2 (97), Frimley Green (81), Guildford 1 (94), Guildford 2 (89), Haslemere (93), Hinchley Wood (78), Leatherhead (87), Redhill (54), Reigate 1 (96), Reigate 2 (103), Weybridge (86), Woking 1 (80), Woking 2 (64), Tingley, W. Yorks (78); Walton on the Hill, Staffs (76); Warks: Barford (45), Kenilworth (71), Rugby (64), Southam (75), Witney (101), Worthing (70)

Places: 22,445

Employees: circa 10,132

BRIGHT KIDS

Head office: Millennium House, High Street, Studley, Warks, B80 7HL

Tel: 01527 452430

Email: hello@bright-kids.co.uk

Website: www.bright-kids.co.uk

Chief executive: Tricia Wellings

Operations director: Emma Beard

Established: 1999

Owns 8 nurseries: Barley Lea, Coventry (52); Bell Green, Coventry (46); Coughton, Warks (37); Crabbs Cross, Worcs (55); Evesham, Worcs (52); Lower Quinton, Warks (43); Northfield, Birmingham (66); Studley, Warks (52). Runs4 out-of-school clubs: Crabbs Cross (24), Matchborough (24) – both Worcs; Studley St Mary’s, Warcs (24); Birmingham (32). Also runs a training and consultancy service.

Places: 403

Employees: 121

Plans: To continue to build and develop both the nursery group and the training and consultancy services.

BRIGHT LITTLE STARS NURSERY*

Head office: Kinetic Centre, Theobald Street, Elstree, Hertfordshire WD6 4PJ

Tel: 020 7100 4662

Email: headoffice@brightlittlestars.com

Website: www.brightlittlestars.com

CEO: Amol Devani

Director: Mandy Guttadauro

Owns 6 nurseries: London: Mill Hill (88), Stanmore (78), Barnet (100), Harrow (88), Stratford (75); Watford, Herts (78)

Places: 507

Employees: 300

BRIGHTSPARKS DAY NURSERIES

Head office: Meadow Hill, Purley, Surrey, CR8 3HL

Tel: 020 8660 2340

Email: brightsparks1@icloud.com

Website: www.brightsparksdaynurseries.co.uk

Directors: Emma Jones, Helen Simpson

Established: 1999

Owns 6 nurseries: Eltham (58), New Malden (58), Old Coulsdon (58), Purley (58), Purley Way (58), Selsdon (58) – all Surrey

Places: 348

Employees: 95

BRIGHT STARS NURSERY GROUP

Formerly ICP Nurseries

Head office: 1 Pride Point Drive, Derby, DE24 8BX

Executive chairman: Stephen Booty

Chief financial officer: Steve Thomas

Established: 2016

Owns 92 nurseries including 7 Little Forest Folk nurseries: Chiswick (20), Fulham (20), Putney Heath (20), Twickenham (22), Wandsworth (20), Wimbledon (32), Morden (23) – all in London Also owns: Armadale, West Lothian (110); Ash, Surrey (48); Aylesbury 1, Bucks (80), Aylesbury 2 (100); Banbury, Oxfordshire (120); Banstead 1, Surrey (24), Banstead 2 (42); Beaconsfield, Bucks (60); Bicester, Oxon (138); Bishop’s Stortford 1, Herts (86); Bishop’s Stortford 2 (100); Bolton, G. Manchester (88); Broxburn, West Lothian (110); Burwell, Cambs (64); Bury St Edmunds (63); Cambridge, Cambs (131); Carmodean, Livingston (89); Chester (102); Chorley, Lancs (97); Clydebank, West Dunbartonshire (30); Colchester 1, Essex (120), Colchester 2 (37), Colchester 3 (68); Dunblane, Perthshire (107); Edinburgh 1 (105), Edinburgh 2 (69), Edinburgh 3 (70); Frome, Somerset (80); Glasgow 1 (98), Glasgow 2 (140); Haddington 1, E. Lothian (60), Haddington 2 (56), Haddington 3 (94); Hatfield Heath, Herts (53); Houston, Johnstone (92); Hungerford, Berks (84); Huntingdon 1, Cambs (60), Huntingdon 2 (86); Laindon, Essex (70); Leamington Spa, Warks (69); Leeds (94); London 1 (44), London 2 (82), London 3 (55), London 4 (69), London 5 (122), London 6 (120), London 7 (90), London 8 (57), London 9 (62), London 10 (56), London 11 (115), London 12 (89), London 13 (125); Macclesfield (105): Marlow, Bucks (63); Newmarket, Suffolk (106); Norwich, Norfolk 1 (83), Norwich 2 (20); Northampton, Northants (130); North Berwick, E. Lothian (60); Peebles, Scottish Borders (94); Purley, Surrey (67); Sheffield, S. Yorks (72); Shirley, W. Mids (94); Shrewsbury 1, Shropshire (60), Shrewsbury 2 (90), Shrewsbury 3 (78); Skegness 1, Lincs (65), Skegness 2 (48); Solihull, Warks (115); St Albans, Herts (70); St Ives, Cambs (80); Tonbridge, Kent (87); Tunbridge Wells 1, Kent (76), Tunbridge Wells 2 (64); Upton (102); Walton-on-Thames (148); Warrington 1, Cheshire (113), Warrington 2 (95), Warrington 3 (112), Warrington 4 (121); Weybridge, Surrey (75); Whitchurch, Hants (123); Windsor, Berks (85). Plus 6 settings in the Republic of Ireland.

Places: 7,338 plus 460 in RoI

Employees: 2,451

BRIGHTSTART DAY NURSERIES

Operating under Bransholme Community Childcare and Aspiring Minds brands.

Head office: Unit 54, K3 Business Park, 200 Clough Road, Hull

Tel: 01482 821467

Email: headoffice@brightstartdaynurseries.co.uk

Website: www.brightstartdaynurseries.co.uk, www.leapaheadnurseries.co.uk

Director: Angela Proctor

Established: 2007

Owns 6 nurseries: Hull 1, E. Yorks (39), Hull 2 (39), Hull 3 (39), Hull 4 (39), Hull 5 (28), Hull 6 (24)

Places: 210

Employees: 80

BRISTOL CHILDCARE

Head office: The Elms Farm Office, Upper Tockington Road, Tockington, Bristol, BS32 4LQ

Tel: 01454 614 273

Email: headoffice@bristolchildcare.co.uk

Website: www.bristolchildcare.co.uk

Director: Saffia Bullock

Established: 1971

Owns 3 nurseries: Clifton (65), Filton (57), Knowle (86) – all in Bristol

Places: 208

Employees: 56

BROOKLANDS CHILDCARE

Head office: 137b Market Street, Hindley, Wigan, WN2 3AA

Tel: 01942 760044

Email: hindley2@brooklandschildcare.co.uk

Website: www.brooklandschildcare.co.uk

Owners: Ivan Rawlins, Linda Rawlins

Established: 1990

Owns 5 nurseries: Ashton-in-Makerfield (121), Garswood (94), Hindley 1 (89), Hindley 2 (134), Leigh (46) – all in Lancs

Places: 484

Employees: 92

THE BUSY BEES GROUP

Operating under the Busy Bees, Careshare, Caring Daycare (acquired 2014), Kinder Nurseries (acquired 2014), Just Learning, Nunu and Tibbi Tots brands, as well as Bush Babies and Kids 1st (acquired 2015/16) and Treetops and Bramleys (acquired 2017). It acquired Mace Montessori and Daisy and Jake in 2018.

Head office: St Matthews, Shaftsbury Drive, Burntwood, Staffs, WS7 9QP

Tel: 01543 678450

Email: info@busybees.com

Website: www.busybeeschildcare.co.uk

Directors: Simon Irons, Margaret Randles, Cheryl Creaser, Clare Phizacklea, Steve Eccleston, Matthew Muller, Jitin Topiwala, Keelie Leahy, Louise Copson

Established: 1983

Owns and manages 366 nurseries: Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire (170); Addlestone, Surrey (113); Alderley, Wolverhampton (94); Altrincham, G. Manchester (97); Andover, Hants 1 (40), Andover 2 (72); Apsley, Herts (88); Ashbourne, Derbs (81); Ashford 1, Kent (87), Ashford 2 (108), Ashford 3 (108); Ayrshire (72); Barlborough, Derbs (83); Basingstoke 1, Hants (98), Basingstoke 2 (100), Basingstoke 3 (100); Bedford 1, Beds (112), Bedford 2 (112), Bedford 3 (73); Belper 1, Derbs (90), Belper 2 (90); Beverley, E. Yorks (108); Bicester 1, Oxon (108), Bicester 2 (110); Biggleswade 1, Beds (106), Biggleswade 2 (112); Birlingham, Worcs (62); Birmingham 1, W. Mids (116), Birmingham 2 (77), Birmingham 3 (64), Birmingham 4, Queen Elizabeth Hospital (133), Birmingham 5 (84); Bishops Stortford 1, Herts (80), Bishops Stortford 2 (55); Blaydon-on-Tyne, Gateshead (68); Braintree 1, Essex (100), Braintree 2 (104); Bridgend, Mid Glamorgan (108); Brighton, E. Sussex (94); Bristol: Barrs Court (116), Bradley Stoke (92), Emersons Green (105), Portishead (91), Stoke Gifford (108); Bromborough, Wirral (105); Bromsgrove, Warks (86); Brough, E. Yorks (108); Burchetts Green, Berks (85); Burntwood, Staffs (111); Burton, Staffs (108); Bury St Edmunds, West Suffolk Hospital (96); Camberley, Surrey (89); Cambridge (137); Canterbury, Kent (79); Cardiff (100); Carshalton Beeches, Surrey (98); Chafford Hundred 1, Essex (98), Chafford Hundred 2 (92); Chatham, Kent (78); Cheadle 1, Cheshire (116), Cheadle 2 (67); Cheam 1, Surrey (88), Cheam 2 (83), Cheam 3 (46), Cheam 4 (79); Chelmsford 1, Essex (102), Chelmsford 2 (96); Cheltenham 1, Glos (56), Cheltenham 2 (90); Chester, Cheshire (76); Chichester, Hants (92); Chippenham, Wilts (106); Chislehurst, Kent (100); Chorley, Lancs (147); Colchester 1, Essex (84), Colchester 2 (109); Corby 1, Northants (85), Corby 2 (120); Coventry 1, Walsgrave Hospital, Warks (117), Coventry 2 (46); Crawley, W. Sussex (132); Darlington 1, Co. Durham (88), Darlington 2 (108), Darlington 3 (78); Daventry, Northants (97); Derby 1, Derbs (107), Derby 2 (110), Derby 3 (58), Derby 4 (65), Derby 5 (64); Dorking 1, Surrey (44), Dorking 2 (52); Droitwich Spa, W. Mids (110); Dudley, W. Midlands (100); Dundee (94), Dunfermline 1, Fife (108), Dunfermline 2 (100); Durham, Co. Durham (99); Eastbourne, E. Sussex (100); East Grinstead (92); East Keswick, W. Yorks (105); East Kilbride, S. Lanarkshire (86); Eastleigh, Hants (116); East Malling, Kent (84); Edinburgh 1 (88), Edinburgh 2 (132), Edinburgh 3 (85), Edinburgh 4 (55), Edinburgh 5 (58), Edinburgh 6 (93), Edinburgh 7 (90); Edwalton, Notts (88); Egham, Surrey (97); Ely, E. Cambs (78); Epsom, Surrey (84); Evesham, Worcs (110); Farnborough 1, Hants (96), Farnborough 2 (159); Formby, Merseyside (66); Gateshead 1, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Tyne and Wear (108), Gateshead 2 (108); Gillingham 1, Kent (112), Gillingham 2 (98); Glasgow 1 (77), Glasgow 2 (101), Glasgow 3 (127); Glenrothes, Fife (95); Gloucester, Glos (68); Godalming, Surrey (136); Gravesend, Essex (132); Great Yarmouth, Norfolk (71); Guildford 1, Surrey (104), Guildford 2 (84), Guildford 3 (77); Harlow, Essex (105); Harpenden 1, Herts (72), Harpenden 2 (55); Harrogate 1, N. Yorks (60), Harrogate 2 (146), Harrogate 3 (85), Harrogate 4 (44); Haslemere, Surrey (88); Haywards Heath, W. Sussex (72); Hempstead, Kent (76); Hertford, Herts (44); Hexham, Northumberland (112); High Wycombe, Bucks (91); Holmes Chapel, Cheshire (105); Hopefield Castle, Midlothian (66); Horsham, W. Sussex (130); Hove, E. Sussex (74); Huntingdon, Cambs (100); Ingleby Barwick, S. Yorks (86); Inverness (80); Ipswich 1, Suffolk (94), Ipswich 2 (105); Jersey 1 (59), Jersey 2 (69), Jersey 3 (100); Kettering 1, Northants (112), Kettering 2 (81); Lancaster, Lancs (151); Leamington Spa, Warks (109); Leeds 1, W. Yorks (100), Leeds 2 (151), Leeds 3 (55), Leeds 4 (130), Leeds 5 (75), Leeds 6 (54), Leeds 7 (92); Leicester 1, Leics (116), Leicester 2 (130), Leicester 3 (49), Leicester 4 (60), Leicester 5 (52), Leicester 6 (86), Leicester 7 (54), Leicester 8 (68), Leicester 9 (110); Letchworth, Herts (104); Lewes, E. Sussex (51); Lichfield, Staffs (110); Lightwater, Surrey (50); Liverpool, Merseyside (55); Livingston, W. Lothian (103); London: Battersea (95), Bexleyheath (100), Charlton (95), Chingford (108), Chiswick 1 (109), Chiswick 2 (74), Croydon 1 (112), Croydon 2 (67), Docklands (107), Ealing 1 (39), Ealing 2 (39), Ealing 3 (52), Ealing 4 (102), Enfield 1 (120), Enfield 2 (68), Finchley (76), Fulham (130), Greenwich (51), Hammersmith 1 (95), Hammersmith 2 (96), Harlesden (66), Harrow 1 (56), Harrow 2 (84), Heathrow (100), Hillingdon (114), Ilford (124), Kenton (47), Kilburn (70), Leytonstone (100), Lewisham (66), Mill Hill (78), Mottingham (65), Putney (83), Shadwell (72), Teddington (63), Walthamstow (140), Wandsworth 1 (118), Wandsworth 2 (52), Wapping (32), West Ealing 1 (53), West Ealing 2 (18), West Hampstead (50), Westminster (73); Long Eaton, Derbyshire (113); Loughborough, Leics (40); Macclesfield, Cheshire (98); Maidenhead 1, Berks (66), Maidenhead 2 (70); Maidstone 1, Kent (47), Maidstone 2 (112), Maidstone 3 (50); Manchester, G. Manchester (90); Mansfield, Notts (56); Market Harborough, Leics (118); Matlock, Derbs (82); Melrose, Scottish Borders (75); Meopham, Kent (104); Milton Keynes 1, Bucks (100), Milton Keynes 2 (96), Milton Keynes 3 (101); Morden, Surrey (66); Newbury, Berks (104); Newbyres, Midlothian (154); Newcastle 1, Tyne and Wear (110), Newcastle 2 (108), Newcastle 3 (108), Newcastle 4 (105), Newcastle 5 (108); Northampton 1, Northants (92), Northampton 2 (104), Northampton 3 (111); North Shields, Tyne and Wear (112); Northwich, Cheshire (107); Norwich, Norfolk: Norwich 1, Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital (114), Norwich 2 (112), Norwich 3 (112), Norwich 4 (72); Nottingham 1, Notts, City Hospital (114), Nottingham 2 (120), Nottingham 3 (96), Nottingham 4, University of Nottingham (96), Nottingham 5 (65); Oxford 1, Oxon (110), Oxford 2 (102), Oxford 3 (88), Oxford 4 (89); Perivale, Middlesex (76); Peterborough 1, Cambs (104), Peterborough 2 (50); Plymouth, Devon (83); Portsmouth, Hants (126); Preston 1, Lancs (160), Preston 2 (136), Preston 3 (60); Quedgeley, Glos (105); Rainham, Kent (81); Reading 1, Berks (58), Reading 2 (93), Reading 3 (109); Reigate, Surrey (93); Ripon, N. Yorks (126); Rotherham, S. Yorks (85); Rugby, Warks (84); Sale, G. Manchester (66); Salford (60); Salisbury 1, Wilts (46), Salisbury 2 (93); Sandy, Beds (70); Selly Oak (96); Sevenoaks 1, Kent (92), Sevenoaks 2 (93); Shenley, Herts (110); Shrewsbury, Shropshire (119); Sittingbourne, Kent (77); Solihull 1, W. Midlands (94), Solihull 2 (100), Solihull 3 (103); Southport, Lancs (111); Southwell, Notts (48); St Albans 1, Herts (63), St Albans 2 (65), St Albans 3 (120), St Albans 4, City Hospital (51); St Davids, Flintshire (129); St Neots, Cambs (93); Stockton-on-Tees, Co. Durham (108); Stevenage 1, Herts (98), Stevenage 2 (112); Stokenchurch, Bucks (58); Stotford, Beds (64); Stowmarket, Suffolk (106); Sudbury Hill, Middlesex (99); Sunderland 1, Tyne and Wear (108), Sunderland 2 (82), Sunderland 3 (129), Sunderland 4 (99), Sunderland 5 (90); Sutton Coldfield, W. Mids (45); Swindon 1, Wilts (100), Swindon 2 (76), Swindon 3 (106); Telford, Shropshire (108); Tewkesbury, Glos (56); Thames Ditton, Surrey (89); Thetford, Norfolk (73); Trowbridge, Wilts (100); Tunbridge Wells, Kent (90); Uttoxeter, Staffs (77); Wakefield, W. Yorks (112); Walsall, W. Mids (25); Wansbeck, Northumberland (112); Warton, Lancs (30); Warwick, Warks (115); Watford General Hospital, Herts (46); Wellingborough, Northants (100); Welwyn, Herts (46), Welwyn Garden City (85); West Byfleet, Surrey (72); Weston-super-Mare 1, Somerset (100), Weston-super-Mare 2 (49); Weymouth, Dorset (52); Wigan 1, Greater Manchester (76), Wigan 2 (94); Winchester, Hants (69); Wirral 1, Merseyside (68), Wirral 2 (102), Wirral 3 (65), Wirral 4 (95), Wirral 5 (95), Wirral 6 (105), Wirral 7 (95), Wirral 8 (131), Wirral 9 (95); Woking 1, Surrey (117), Woking 2 (65); Warndon, Worcester, Worcs (112); Worksop, Notts (85); Worthing, W. Sussex (69); Wynyard, Co. Durham (108); York 1, N. Yorks (120), York 2 (45)

Places: 32,964

Employees: 9,000

BUSY NOUGHT TO FIVES

Head office: 10 Brimstage Rd, Gayton, Wirral, CH60 1XG

Tel: 0151 342 2714

Email: info@busy05.co.uk

Website: www.busy05.co.uk

Directors: Emma Collins, Kevin Collins

Established: 1992

Owns 5 nurseries: Cheshire (102), Liverpool, Merseyside (63); Warrington 1, Cheshire (129), Warrington 2 (119); Wirral, Merseyside (84)

Places: 497

Employees: 80

BUTTERCUPS DAY NURSERIES

Head office: 24a Popes Lane, Ealing, London, W5 4NT

Tel: 020 8840 4838

Email: team@buttercups-nursery.co.uk

Website: www.buttercups-nursery.co.uk

Director: Carol Whitehouse

Established: 1980

Owns 8 nurseries: Chalfont St Peter, Bucks (70); London: Acton (41), Syon Park Brentford (44), Chiswick Lane 1 (44), Chiswick Lane 2 (32), Ealing (69), Isleworth (49), Teddington (31)

Places: 380

Employees: 110

CARING KINDERGARTENS

Head office: St Lukes, Main Road, Duston, Northants, NN5 6JB

Email: mail@caringkindergartens.co.uk

Website: www.caringkindergartens.co.uk

Proprietor: George Wright

Head of childcare: Karl Goodridge

Established: 1992

Owns 7 nurseries: Brooklands, Milton Keynes, Bucks (139); Daventry (125), Duston (104), Wellingborough (120) – all in Northants; Moulton Park Industrial Estate, Northampton (72); Peterborough Business Park, Cambs (112); Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire (55)

Places: 727

Employees: 153

CATHERINE HOUSE DAY NURSERY SCHOOLS

Head office: 9 St Agnes Road, Moseley, Birmingham, B13 9PH

Tel: 0121 449 1444

Email: info@catherinehouse daynursery.com

Website: www.catherinehousedaynursery.com

Directors: Rita Howe-Douglas, Matthew Poray

Established: 1987

Owns 4 nurseries: Birmingham: Moseley (60), Northfield (40); Brockley, London (90); Walsall, W. Midlands (50)

Places: 240

Employees: 100

CC NURSERIES GROUP

Head office: CC Nurseries Hub, Unit 1 & 2 Clover House, Boston Road, Sleaford, NG34 7HD

Tel: 01529 300792

Email: office@ccnurseries.com

Website: www.ccnurseries.com

CEO: Anita Wilden

Established: 2017

Owns 9 nurseries: Bedford, Beds (101); Brentford, London (88); Edinburgh: Barnton (84), Murrayfield (85); Glasgow (65); Twickenham, London (90); Wendover, Bucks (108); Whitburn, West Lothian (74); Barnet, London (89). Owns 1 out-of-school club: Whitburn (56).

Places: 784

Employees: 216

Plans: New setting due to open in Edinburgh in 2024.

CHAPTER ONE CHILDCARE

Head office: Country Park Nursery, Dalkeith Country Park, Dalkeith, Midlothian, EH22 2NA

Tel: 0845 1771008

Email: info@chapteronechildcare.com

Website: www.chapteronechildcare.com

Owners: Diane and Jon Gillam

Established: 2004

Owns 6 nurseries: Dalkeith Country Park, Midlothian (75), Treetops Outdoor Nursery, Dalkeith Country Park (25); Edinburgh: Kirk Brae (36), Shawfair (56); Farnley, N. Yorks (70), Treetops Outdoor Nursery, Farnley (20). Also owns 2 nurseries in Oman.

Places: 282

Employees: 90

CHATSWORTH SCHOOLS

Head office: Crimea Office, Great Tew Estate, Oxon, OX7 4AH

Tel: 01608 525 030

Email: office@chatsworthschools.com

Website: www.chatsworthschools.com

Founder and chief executive: Anita Gleave

Director of early years and KS1: Viv Thompson

Established: 2018

Owns 6 nurseries: Cheshire: Macclesfield (56); London: Greenwich (50), Marylebone (22); Oxon: Abingdon (37), Steventon (44), Wallingford (35)

Places: 202

Employees: 72

CHERRYTREES CHILDREN’S NURSERIES

Head office: 3 Abbey Road, Dunbar, East Lothian, EH42 1JP

Tel: 01368 860555

Email: lkbennet@yahoo.com

Website: www.cherrytreesnurseries.co.uk

Directors: Lisa Bennet, Stewart Bennet, David Robertson

Established: 2000

Owns 4 nurseries: Dunbar, E. Lothian (83); Edinburgh (139); Hawick (64), Melrose (83) – both in Scottish Borders

Places: 369

Employees: 101

CHERUBS NURSERIES

Head Office: 362 St Albans Road, Bulwell, Nottingham, NG6 9FR

Tel: 0330 0553373

Website: cherubsnurseries.co.uk

CEO: Susan Mills

Director: Robert Everist

Chief brand officer: Harry Mills

Head of commercial and compliance: Sarah Savage

Head of early years practiceand provision: Lucy Tutin

Established: 1993

Owns 10 nurseries: Mansfield Edwinstowe (55), Mansfield Sutton in Ashfield (60), Mansfield Wynndale (63), Nottingham Bulwell (80), Nottingham Kimberley (135), Nottingham Mapperley (73), Nottingham Ravenshead (90), Nottingham Ruddington (55), Worksop (55), South Normanton (55) – all in Notts

Places: 721

Employees: 265

Plans: Two new nurseries opening in 2024 along with acquiring single-owned and small groups.

CHESTNUT NURSERY SCHOOLS

Head office: 177 Earlham Grove, London, E7 9AP

Tel: 020 8555 9800

Email: earlhamgrove@chestnut.com

Website: www.chestnut-nursery.com

Directors: David Saunders, Steven Davies, Karen Broughton

Established: 2002

Owns 20 nurseries: Cambridge, Cambs (79), Cottenham, Cambridge (51); London: Barking 1 (89), Barking 2 (64), Barking 3 (76), Barking 4 (80), Dagenham 1 (52), Dagenham 2 (57), Dagenham 3 (69), Dagenham 4 (61), Forest Gate 1 (58), Forest Gate 2 (42), Forest Gate 3 (48), Redbridge (63); Norfolk: North Walsham (74), Norwich 1 (71), Norwich 2 (160), Norwich 3 (69), Norwich 4 (53), Taverham (44)

Places: 1,360

Employees: 424

CHILDBASE PARTNERSHIP

Head office: Kingston House, Northampton Road, Newport Pagnell, Bucks, MK16 8NJ

Tel: 01908 211699

Email: info@childbase.com

Website: www.childbasepartnership.com

Established: 1989

Chairman: Michael Thompson

CEO: Emma Rooney

Operations director: Louise Hill

Finance director: Justin Clubb

Quality and training director: Lorna Wigley

Operates 44 nurseries: Aylesbury 1, Bucks (73), Aylesbury 2 – Stoke Mandeville Hospital (137), Aylesbury 3 (113); Bedford 1, Beds (95), Bedford 2 (108); Birmingham 1, W. Mids (89), Birmingham 2 (94); Buckingham, Bucks (131); Cambridge, Cambs: University of Cambridge 1 (120), University of Cambridge 2 (79); Coventry, Warks (70); Hemel Hempstead, Herts (102); Hitchin, Herts (83); Hertford 1, Herts (93), Hertford 2 (86); Kettering, Northants (108); Leamington Spa, Warks (117); Leighton Buzzard, Beds (99); London: Chiswick (88), High Barnet (77), Orpington (145), Southall (160), Winchmore Hill (86); Luton, Beds (104); Maidenhead, Berks (91); Milton Keynes 1, Bucks (83), Milton Keynes 2 (97); Newport Pagnell, Bucks (64); Northampton – Northampton General Hospital, Northants (105); Nottingham, Notts (110); Oxford, Oxon: Churchill Hospital (164), John Radcliffe Hospital (128); Reading 1, Berks (129), Reading 2 (103); Redbourn, Herts (80); Rugby, Warks (151); Sandhurst, Berks (89); St Albans, Herts (64); Staines, Surrey (133); Swindon, Wilts (121); Welwyn Garden City, Herts (75); Winchester 1, Hants (124), Winchester 2 – University College (68); Woking, Surrey (116)

Places: 4,552

Employees: 2,239

CHILDCARE AND LEARNING GROUP

Operating under the Cranbrook, Castle, Working Mums and South West London Nursery Co brands

Head office: The Old Post Office, Antlands Lane East, Horley, Surrey, RH6 9TE

Tel: 01293 772561

Director: Robert Shannon

Established: 1982

Owns 17 nurseries: Crawley, West Sussex (84); Guildford 1, Surrey (80), Guildford 2 (39); Haywards Heath, West Sussex (56); Horley 1, Surrey (50), Horley 2 (72), Horley 3 (52); London: Clapham 1 (86), Clapham 2 (66), East Sheen (77), Fulham 1 (84), Fulham 2 (74), Hammersmith (60), Mortlake (54), New Malden 1 (70), New Malden 2 (85); Shamley Green, Surrey (39)

Places: 1,128

Employees: 284

CHILDCARE SCOTLAND

Head office: Burnside House, Kilwinning Rd, Irvine, KA12 8RU

Tel: 01294 277950

Directors: Meg McLeod, Yvonne McDowall

Email: childcarescotlandpropertieshq@aol.com

Website: www.childcarescotlandnurseries.com

Established: 1989

Owns 7 nurseries: Aberdeen (108); Glasgow: Caledonian University (59), Glasgow University (79), Strathclyde University (56); Irvine, North Ayrshire (142); Kilmarnock, East Ayrshire (119); Largs, North Ayrshire (48)

Places: 611

Employees: 190

CHILDREN 1ST

Head office: Mayfield House, 1 Nottingham Road, Long Eaton, Nottingham, NG10 1HQ

Tel: 0115 973 2600

Email: enquiry.children1st@breedonhouse.co.uk

Website: www.children1stdaynurseries.com

Founder and chairperson: Margaret Mason

CEO: David Hancock

Director: Cathy Griffin

Established: 1988

Owns 24 nurseries: Birstall, Leics (105); Breadsall, Derby (160); Chesterfield 1, Derbyshire (75), Chesterfield 2 (146); Clowne, Derbyshire (124); Hathern, Leics (98); Grantham, Lincs (122); Leek, Staffordshire (104); Leicester, Leics (115); Lincoln 1, Lincs (109), Lincoln 2 (98), Lincoln 3 (125); Long Eaton 1, Derbs (143), Long Eaton 2 (72); Loughborough, Leicestershire (117); Nottingham 1, Notts (166), Nottingham 2 (160), Nottingham 3 (123); Newark 1, Notts (75), Newark 2 (91); Sheffield, S. Yorks (166); Stoke-on-Trent 1, Staffs (143), Stoke-on-Trent 2 (95); Syston, Leics (120)

Places: 2,852

Employees: 760

CHILDREN 4 MOST

Head office: Cemetery Road, Audenshaw, Manchester, M34 5AH

Tel: 0161 336 3221

Email: info@children4most.co.uk

Website: www.children4most.co.uk

Owners: Nicola Sullivan, Alison Davies

Established: 2000

Owns 3 nurseries: Ashton-under-Lyne, Greater Manchester (36); Audenshaw, Greater Manchester (95); Hyde, Cheshire (76)

Places: 207

Employees: 90

CHILDREN’S CORNER CHILDCARE

Head office: Unit 2 Sandsgate, Sunnybank Mills, Farsley Town Street, Leeds, LS28

Tel: 0113 257 5625

Email: mattie@childrenscornerchildcare.co.uk

Website: www.childrenscornerchildcare.co.uk

Directors: Lesley Dawson, Allan Dawson, Matthew Dawson, Charlie Dawson

Established: 1998

Owns 7 nurseries: Leeds, Yorks: Bardsey (22, plus 40 out-of-school), Farsley (46, plus 60 out-of-school), Granary Wharf (27), Harrogate (50), Headingley (50), Moorlands (27, plus 24 holiday club), Valley View (46, plus 70 out-of-school). 5 out-of-school play schemes: Wigton Moor Primary School, Chapel Allerton Primary School and Farsley, Valley View and Bardsey (as above). Also runs holiday clubs in Leeds.

Places: 268

Employees: 140

CHILDREN’S PLACE DAY NURSERIES

Head office: 1 Hind Street, Wyke, Bradford, BD12 8JT

Tel: 01274 601575

Email: info@childrens-place.co.uk

Website: www.childrens-place.co.uk

Directors: Debbie Burke, David Burke

Established: 1991

Owns and manages 6 nurseries: Bradford: Barkerend (61), Daisy Hill (56), Heaton (51); Dewsbury (51), Halifax (59), Huddersfield (53) – all in W. Yorks

Places: 331

Employees: 115

CHRISTOPHER ROBIN DAY NURSERIES

Head office: Elmdon House, 116 London Road, Guildford, GU1 1TN

Tel: 01483 339406

Website: www.daynurseriessurrey.co.uk

Manager director: Daniel Seemungal-Owen

Director of childcare: Deborah Penny

Established: 1986

Owns 5 nurseries: Cranleigh (44); Guildford: Burpham (52), London Road (64), Wood Street Village (46); Woking (60) – all in Surrey

Places: 266

Employees: 90

CLEAR DAY NURSERIES

Head office: Block D, 17 Heron Road, Belfast, Northern Ireland, BT3 9LE

Tel: 02890 247 333

Email: audrey@cleardaynurseries.com; jillmc@cleardaynurseries.com

Website: www.cleardaynurseries.com

Owner: Colin Johnston

Operations director: Audrey McCracken

Established: 2005

Owns 8 nurseries: Bangor, Co. Down (105); Belfast: Dundonald (103), Newtownards Road (69), Ulsterville Avenue (77); Dollingstown, Co. Armagh (78); Glengormley, Co. Antrim (144); Pipers Quay, Lisburn (108); Portadown, Co. Armagh (64)

Places: 748

Employees: 265

CLIFFE HOUSE DAY NURSERY

Head office: Back Featherbank Terrace, Horsforth, LS18 4SZ

Tel: 0113 3452850

Email: sarah.cliffehouse@yahoo.com

Website: www.cliffehousedaynurseries.co.uk

Director: Mrs D. Stocks

Established: 2000

Owns 7 nurseries: Baildon (68), Bramhope (35), Burley-In-Wharfedale (70), Horsforth Featherbank (116), Horsforth Trinity (62), Pudsey (80), Shipley (90) – all in Yorks. Also runs a before- and after-school club.

Places: 521

Employees: 215

COMPLETE CHILDCARE GROUP

Head office: Cedars, Church Road, Aldermaston, RG7 4LR

Tel: 0118 2076 600

Email: enquiries@completechildcare.co.uk

Website: www.completechildcare.co.uk

Director: Alec Hodson

Established: 1986

Owns 16 nurseries: Aldermaston (50), Arborfield (91), Bracknell (124), Brimpton (40), Finchampstead 1 (56), Finchampstead 2 (50), Lower Earley 1 (80), Lower Earley 2 (28), Newbury (70), Reading 1 (57), Reading 2 (55), Wokingham 1 (38), Wokingham 2 (56), Wokingham 3 (60), Winnersh (83) – all in Berks; Banbury, Oxon (80)

Places: 1,018

Employees: 280

Plans: Continue expansion of group.

CO-OPERATIVE CHILDCARE

Head office: Co-operative House, Warwick Technology Park, Warwick, CV34 6DA

Tel: 0800 954 0669

Email: info@ccc.coop

Website: www.littlepioneers.coop

Group manager: Sally Bonnar

Established: 2003

Owns 46 nurseries: Birmingham 1, W. Mids (60), Birmingham 2 (110), Birmingham 3 (89); Bristol 1 (98), Bristol 2 (100); Burton, Staffs (58); Cainscross, Stroud (61), Cam, Dursley (45), Cheltenham Park (100) – all in Glos; Carterton, Oxon (86); Chichester, W. Sussex (66); Dewsbury, W. Yorks (49); Leamington Spa, Warks (97); Littlehampton, W. Sussex (111); London: Bounds Green (95), Charlton (62), Hounslow (70), Islington (78), Maida Vale (109), Waterloo (64), Woolwich (52); Madley Park, Oxon (73); Maidenhead, Berks (82); Newcastle 1, Tyne and Wear (116), Newcastle 2 (108), Newcastle 3 (63); Oxford, Oxon: John Radcliffe Hospital (96), Oxford (66), Rose Hill (61); Reading, Berks (86); Southampton, Hants (100); Sutton, Surrey (66); Sussex University Nursery and Pre-School, E. Sussex (101); Sunderland: Hetton (73), Seaham (60), Tavistock (136); Swindon, Wilts: Great Western Hospital (110), Walcot (73); Tadworth, Surrey (56); Walsall Wood, W. Midlands (72); Warwick, Warks (100); Watford 1, Herts (57), Watford 2 (60); Wolverhampton 1, W. Midlands (144), Wolverhampton 2 (51), Wolverhampton 3 (88)

Places: 3,758

Employees: 1,386

Plans: Opening new nurseries in Telford and Warwick.

COUNTRYSIDE NURSERIES

Head office: Park House, Maidenhead Road, Cookham, SL6 9DS

Tel: 01628 476153

Email: enquiries@countrysidenurseries.co.uk

Website: www.countrysidenurseries.co.uk

Director: Angela Palmer-Moore

Established: 1991

Owns 6 nurseries: Burnham, Bucks (35); Cookham, Berks (39); Flackwell Heath 1, Bucks (33), Flackwell Heath 2 (25); Henley-on-Thames, Oxon (75); Windsor, Berks (50)

Places: 257

Employees: 70

CRAZY 4 KIDS

Head office: Victory House, 400 Pavilion Drive, Brackmills NN4 7PA

Tel: 07495 774685

Email: info@crazy4kids.co.uk

Website: www.crazy4kids.co.uk

Director: Julie Norris

Established: 2009

Owns 5 nurseries: Walthamstow, London (30); Northamptonshire: Brackley (60), Towcester 1 (36), Towcester 2 (30), Wellingborough (45). Also runs 4 out-of-school clubs.

Places: 201

Employees: 47

CRÈCHE-N-CO

Head office: Office 32, Arrowmill, Rochdale, OL11 2YW

Tel: 01706 641781

Email: crechencoltd@aol.com

Website: https://creche-n-co.uk

Director: Lorraine Darlington

Established: 1989

Owns/manages 5 nurseries: Bury, Lancs: Fairfield General Hospital (68), Woodfields (60); Rochdale, G. Manchester: Hopwood Hall College (60, plus 50-place holiday playscheme), Newbold (46), Sandbrook (60)

Places: 294

Employees: 72

CUDDLES DAY NURSERY

Head office: Learoyd Road, Canford Heath, Poole, Dorset, BH17 8PJ

Tel: 01202 672671

Email: canford@cuddlesnursery.co.uk

Website: www.cuddlesnursery.co.uk

Managing director: Linda Duly

Operations manager: Frances Morgan

Established: 1999

Operates 3 nurseries: Poole: Canford Heath (229), Parkstone (119), Poole Stadium (60). Canford Heath and Parkstone have breakfast, after-school and holiday clubs; Poole Stadium has breakfast and after-school clubs.

Places: 413

Employees: 115

Plans: To add 48 places to the Canford Heath setting.

CYBERTOTS

Head office: Unit A+ B, Devlin House, Corbet Gardens, W3 8DS

Tel: 020 8560 5821

Email: info@cybertots.co.uk

Website: www.cybertots.co.uk

Directors: Nina Ozols, Katya Ozols, Martin Ozols

Area manager: Safiya Hayat

Established: 1998

Owns 5 nurseries: London: Acton 1 (27), Acton 2 (116), Brentford (120), Hanwell (37), West Ealing (58)

Places: 358

Employees: 108

DAISY CHAIN CHILDCARE

Head office: High Ridge Park, Rothwell, Leeds, LS26 0NL

Tel: 0113 2825766

Email: jill@daisychainchildcare.com, jo@daisychainchildcare.com

Website: www.daisychainchildcare.com

Directors: Jo Gomersall, Helen Somers

Established: 2001

Owns 4 nurseries: Leeds: Adel (54), Lofthouse (52), Middleton (68), Rothwell (50)

Places: 224

Employees: 61 (and 12 bank staff)

DUKES EDUCATION (LITTLE DUKES)

Head office: 14-16 Waterloo Place, London, SW1Y 4AR

Tel: 020 3696 5300

Email: info@dukeseducation.com

Website: www.dukeseducation.com

Founder/chairman: Aatif Hassan

Operations director: Rik Mcshane

Established: 2015

Operating under Eaton Square Nursery Schools, Miss Daisy’s Nursery Schools, Riverside Nursery Schools, Hopes & Dreams, Reflections, and The Kindergartens.

Owns 30 nurseries: London: Battersea Park Road (30), Belgravia 1 (32), Belgravia 2 (30), Brook Green 1 (46), Brook Green 2 (51), Campden Hill (12), Chelsea (41), Earlsfield (40), Eccleston Square (16), Emperor Gate (40), Grosvenor House (93), Hyde Park (50), Islington (100), Kew Montessori (50), Killieser Avenue (20), Knightsbridge 1 (65), Knightsbridge 2 (32), Mallinson Road 1 (30), Mallinson Road 2 (80), Old Street (47), Pimlico (32), Pountney Road (34), St Margarets Montessori (39), Trinity Road, Wandsworth (50), Twickenham Green (72), Twickenham Park (69); Worthing, W. Sussex (170)Acquired Hove Village Nurseries in September 2022: Brighton (55), New Church Road, Hove (107), Hove Library Day Nursery (32) – all in E. Sussex

Places: 1,584

Employees: 260 approx.

EARLY DAYS NURSERIES

Head office: 10 Walker Street, Edinburgh, EH3 7LA

Tel: 0131 226 6184

Email: enquiries@earlydaysnurseries.org.uk

Website: www.earlydaysnursery.org.uk

Director: Maureen Crandles

Established: 1999

Owns 4 nurseries: Edinburgh 1 (65), Edinburgh 2 (80), Edinburgh 3 – Palmerston Place (110), Edinburgh 4 – (78)

Places: 333

EARLY WORLD CHILDCARE

Head office: Darwin Court, Oxon Business Park, Welshpool Road, Shrewsbury, SY3 5AL

Tel: 01743 244600

Website: www.earlyworld.co.uk

Managing director: Paul Edwards

Established: 1995

Owns 3 nurseries: Shrewsbury (148), Telford 1 (115), Telford 2 (130) – all in Shropshire. Owns 4 out-of-school clubs: Chester, Cheshire (72); Eynsham, Oxon (72); Shrewsbury (74), Telford (74) – both in Shropshire

Places: 393

Employees: 152

EARLY YEARS ALLIANCE

Head office: 50 Featherstone Street, London, EC1Y 8RT

Tel: 020 7697 2500

Email: info@eyalliance.org.uk

Website: www.eyalliance.org.uk

Chief executive: Neil Leitch

Established: 1961

Owns/manages 43 nurseries: Ashby, N. Lincs (49); Aylesham, Kent (57); Batley, W. Yorks (24); Birmingham (50); Bude, Cornwall (34); Bulwell, Notts (54); Cambridge, Cambs (52); Essex 1 (50), Essex 2 (50); Huntingdon, Cambs (48), Ilfracombe, Devon (42); Langar, Notts (24); Langley Mill, Derbyshire (38); Leicester, Leics (55); London: Bexley 1 (84), Bexley 2 (66), Bexley 3 (86), Kidbrooke (45), Lewisham 1 (32), Lewisham 2 (28); Luton 1, Beds (64), Luton 2 (24), Luton 3 (70), Luton 4 (34); Manchester (48); Newark-on-Trent, Notts (45); Newthorpe, Notts (50); Nottingham, Notts (20); Peterborough 1, Northants (32), Peterborough 2 (26), Peterborough 3 (26), Peterborough 4 (58); Runcorn 1, Cheshire (56), Runcorn 2 (57); St Neots 1, Cambs (24), St Neots 2 (49); Southend-on-Sea 1, Essex (84), Southend-on-Sea 2 (72), Southend-on-Sea 3 (59); Sutton-in-Ashfield, Notts (49); Torquay, Devon (24); Tipton, W. Mids (36); Tiverton, Devon (49)

Places: 2,024

ELIM FOURSQUARE GOSPEL ALLIANCE

Head office: Elim International Centre, De Walden Road, West Malvern, WR14 4DF

Tel: 0345 302 6750

Email: childcare@elim.org.uk

Website: www.elim.org.uk/childcare

Nominated individual: Grace Saalmans

Established: 2016

Registered provider for 10 settings: Canning Town, London (63); Chelmsford, London (65); Eastbourne, E. Sussex (80); Kidderminster 1, Worcs (75), Kidderminster 2 (75); Plymouth, Devon (46); Selly Oak, W. Midlands (143); Watford, Herts (32); Wellingborough, Northants (46); Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex (70)

Places: 695

Employees: 280

ELMSCOT GROUP

Head office: 27 Warwick Road, Hale, Cheshire, WA15 9NP

Tel: 0161 980 0003

Email: info@elmscot.co.uk

Website: www.elmscot.co.uk

Director: D. McKenzie

Established: 2001

Owns 7 nurseries: Altrincham (70), Chester (94), Hale 1 (65), Hale 2 (75), Knutsford (61), Sale (61), Timperley (57) – all in Cheshire. Also runs 7 out-of-school clubs.

Places: 483

THE EVELINE DAY AND NURSERY SCHOOLS

Head office: 30 Ritherdon Road, Tooting Bec, London, SW17 8QD

Tel: 020 8672 7549

Directors: Eveline Drut, Gordon Jessiman

Established: 1964

Owns 7 nurseries: London: Raynes Park (57), Tooting (50), Tooting Bec (36), Tooting Broadway (41), Wandsworth (63), Balham (56), Wimbledon (50) Owns 1 prep school: Balham (120)

Places: 353

Employees: 220

EVOLUTION CHILDCARE

Head office: 232 Hall Street, Warrington, Cheshire, WA1 2BW

Tel: 01925 918388

Website: www.evolution-childcare.co.uk

Proprietor: Sue Jones

Established: 1999

Owns 5 nurseries: Lower Whitley (100), Warrington 1 (100), Warrington 2 (100), Warrington 3 (50), Weaverham (100) – all in Cheshire. As part of franchise (2 nurseries): Blackburn, Lancs (100); St Helens, Merseyside (100). Also has franchises in Bahrain, UAE and China.

Places: 900

Employees: 200

FAMILY FIRST DAY NURSERIES

Head office: Suite 3, Wentworth Lodge, Great North Road, Welwyn Garden City, AL8 7SR

Tel: 020 7622 0484

Email: csa@familyfirstnurseries.com

Website: https://familyfirstnurseries.co.uk

Chief financial officer: Warwick Thresher

Chief people officer: Laura Chapman

Established: 2019

Owns 99 nurseries: Addlestone, Surrey 1 (94), Addlestone 2 (30); Aldershot, Hants 1 (55), Aldershot 2 (106); Arlesey, Beds (76); Atherstone, Warks (76); Barnet, London (55); Beaconsfield, Bucks 1 (53), Beaconsfield 2 (70); Bourne End, Bucks (54); Brentford 1, London (53), Brentford 2 (142); Buckden, N. Yorks (82); Bury St Edmunds (68); Cannock, Staffs (117); Canwell, Staffs (51); Carshalton, Surrey (50); Clapham, London (54); Clifford Chambers, Warks (114); Colchester 1, Essex (37), Colchester 2 (54), Colchester 3 (76), Colchester 4 (37), Colchester 5 (43); Coton, Cambs (24); Coventry, W. Mids (69); Crews Hill, London (75); Dosthill, Staffs (55); Dulwich, London (71); Enfield 1, London (42), Enfield 2 (37); Epsom, Surrey 1 (87), Epsom 2 (85); Fazeley, Staffs (70); Finchley, London (68); Flitwick, Beds (104); Fordingbridge, Hants 1 (36), Fordingbridge 2 (74); Fradley, Staffs (114); Gillingham, Kent (122); Guildford, Surrey (63); Hackney, London (83); Hammersmith, London (70); Harrow, London (104); Havant, Hants (52); Hayling Island, Hants (44), High Wycombe, Bucks (62); Hilton, Cambs (21); Holmer Green, Bucks (56); Hounslow, London (60); Kegworth, Leics (110); Kentish Town, London 1 (78), Kentish Town 2 (36); Lichfield 1, Staffs (91), Lichfield 2 (96); Maidenhead, Berks (72); Maldon, Essex (32); Marlow 1, Bucks (57), Marlow 2 (44); Milton Keynes 1 (84), Milton Keynes 2 (172), Milton Keynes 3 (42); Nottingham, Notts (141); Oxted, Surrey (46); Pinner, London 1 (74), Pinner 2 (60); Portishead 1, Bristol (64), Portishead 2 (75); Potters Bar, Herts (53); Ramsey, Cambs (104); Ringwood, Hants (87); Rochester 1, Kent (42), Rochester 2 (81); Roehampton, London (50); Royston, Herts (107); Ruislip, London (42); Rushden, Northants (80); Sandhurst, Berks (48); Sandy, Beds (62); Shipston-on-Stour, Warks (89); Southampton 1, Hants (122), Southampton 2 (100), Southampton 3 (102), Southampton 4 (65), Southampton 5 (82), Southampton 6 (74); Stafford, Staffs (81); Stratford, London (129); Tiptree, Essex (39); Vange, Essex (24); Walmley, W. Mids (86); Waterlooville, Hants (78); Wickford 1, Essex (88), Wickford 2 (45); Windsor, Berks (62); Witham, Essex (89); Woking, Surrey (69); Wokingham, Berks (71); Worcester Park, London (49)

Places: 7,069

Employees: 2,400

Plans: To acquire more nurseries.

FARM DAY NURSERIES

Head office: Thrift Farm, Buckingham Road, Whaddon MK17 0EQ

Tel: 01908 067030

Email: paul@farmdaynurseries.co.uk

Website: www.farmdaynurseries.co.uk

Executive chairman: Paul Sharp

Managing director: Sharon Elliott

Operations director: James Dickson

Established: 2020

Owns 9 nurseries and pre-schools: Beaconsfield, Bucks (132); Burton-on-Trent, Staffs (96); Cambridge, Cambs (38); Durham, Co. Durham (96); Godstone, Surrey (96); Leighton Buzzard, Herts (114); Lincoln, Lincs (96); Milton Keynes, Bucks (56); St Albans, Herts (181)

Places: 905

Employees: 440

FENNIES DAY NURSERIES

Head office: The Old School House, 1a Hook Road, Epsom, Surrey, KT19 8TH

Tel: 020 8770 3222

Email: enquiries@fennies.com

Website: www.fennies.com

CEO: Steven Fenn

COO: Alexia Fenn

Head of EYFS: Rageena Tahir

CFO: Brian Mills

Executive director: Steve Gill

Established: 1992

Owns 20 nurseries: Kent: Beckenham (77), Beckenham, Langley Park (123), Bromley- Blyth Road (94), Bromley- London Lane (91); London: Croydon (105), Croydon Woodside (90), Ealing (96), Eltham (76), Kidbrooke (99), Purley (126), Raynes Park (97), Sanderstead (50), South Croydon (72), Teddington (103), Wimbledon (90); Surrey: Epsom (108), Horley (96), Oxted (83), Walton (101), Woking (145)

Places: 1,922

Employees: 698 (including 179 bank staff)

Plans: Locations opening in the next six months: Twickenham, Whitton, Reading, Richmond, Clapham, Maidenhead.

FLEDGLINGS

Head office: 2 Hazelfields, Worsley, Manchester, M28 2LS

Tel: 0161 281 2821

Email: accounts@fledglingsnurseries.co.uk

Website: www.fledglings nurseries.co.uk

Directors: Christopher Gray, Jackie Kerr

Established: 1990

Owns 4 nurseries: Manchester: Bredbury (90), Irlam (120), Stretford (70), Worsley (120). Also runs an out-of-school clubin Irlam.

Places: 400

Employees: 142

FLYING START

Head office: Flora House, Stone Way, Pool, Redruth, TR15 3FG

Tel: 01209 611811

Website: www.flyingstart.uk.com

Owners: Sharon and Steve Cowburn

Established: 1993

Owns 5 nurseries: Camborne (30), Redruth (36), Cornwall College (96), Illogan (28) – all in Cornwall; Marjon University, Plymouth, Devon (67)

Places: 257

Employees: 100

FOR UNDER FIVES

Head office: 19 Chantry Lane, Grimsby, North East Lincs, DN31 2LP

Tel: 01472 232300

Website: www.forunderfives.co.uk

Directors: David Lang, Steven Lampard

General manager: Amanda Gilbert

Established: 1987

Owns 5 nurseries: Cottingham, Hull, E. Yorks (50); Grimsby 1, Lincs – Diana Princess of Wales Hospital (55), Grimsby 2 (77); Lincoln, Lincs (63); Wath-upon-Dearne, S. Yorks (120). Manages 8 nurseries and children’s centres: Boston, Lincs (59); Goole, E. Yorks (48); Grimsby, Lincs: Broadway Children’s Centre Day Care (47), Central Children’s Centre Day Care (71), Queensway Children’s Centre Day Care (55), County Hospital (36), Welbourne Gardens (48); Selby, N. Yorks (53)

Places: 782

Employees: 246

GRANBY NURSERIES

Head office: Granby House, Aldwarke Road, Rotherham, South Yorkshire, S62 6BU

Tel: 01709 710709

Proprietor: Dr. Sipra Deb

Established: 1994

Owns 3 nurseries: Rotherham, S. Yorks: Parkgate (96), Wickersley (41); Worksop, Notts (49)

Places: 186

Employees: 90

GRANDIR UK

Includes Kiddi Caru and Dicky Birds. Acquired by Les Petits Chaperons Rouges in 2017.

Support office: Tuscany House, White Hart Lane, Basingstoke, Hampshire, RG21 4AF

Tel: 01256 383440

Email: info@grandiruk.com

Website: www.grandiruk.com

CEO: Lydia Hopper

Chief financial officer: Matthew Moore

Chief operating officer: Heather Young

Sales and marketing director: Caron Moseley

Property and H&S director: Steve Hickson

Established: 1998

Owns and manages 83 nurseries: Basingstoke, Hants (121); Bedford, Beds (75); Brighton, Sussex (86); Bristol: Bradley Stoke 1 (101), Bradley Stoke 2 (56), Brislington (72), Crews Hole (68), Downend 1 (68), Downend 2 (44), Hanham (74), Hengrove (61), Soundwell (73), Westbury-on-Trym (61); Burgess Hill, W. Sussex (100); Chelmsford, Essex (100); Colchester 1, Essex (103), Colchester 2 (65); Daventry, Northants (66); Exeter 1, Devon (132), Exeter 2 (107); Fareham, Hants (80); Harlow, Essex (100); Harpenden, Herts (38); Haywards Heath 1 (72), Haywards Heath 2 (56); Hitchin, Herts (95); Horsham, Sussex (129); Kirby Muxloe (45), Knighton (29), Loughborough (45), Market Harborough (115), Melton Mowbray (59), Narborough (45), Queniborough (91), Stoneygate (75), Whitwick (71) – all Leics; Leighton Buzzard, Beds (96); London: Anerley (89), Chingford Forest (41), Chiswick (79), Clerkenwell Mount (55), Crystal Palace (24), Islington (80), Kensington (24), Muswell Hill (92), Penge East (42), Raynes Park 1 (102), Raynes Park 2 (63), Surbiton 1 (72), Surbiton 2 (129), Surbiton 3 (69), Wandsworth (96), West Drayton (97), West Finchley (105), Wimbledon 1 (52), Wimbledon 2 (118), Wimbledon 3 (54), Winchmore Hill (112); Milton Keynes 1, Bucks (91), Milton Keynes 2 (89), Milton Keynes 3 (39); Northampton 1, Northants (114), Northampton 2 (100), Northampton 3 (59); Nottingham 1, Notts (89), Nottingham 2 (85), Nottingham 3 (64); Ower, Hants (55); Park Gate, Hants (60); Peterborough, Cambs (121); Plympton, Devon (100); Rayleigh, Essex (76); Reading, Berks (90); Redhill, Surrey (100); Rushden, Northants (96); Somersham, Cambs (95); Taunton, Somerset (129); Torquay, Devon (105); Wellingborough, Northants (103); Whiteley 1, Hants (128), Whiteley 2 (72); Woking, Surrey (72); Writtle, Essex (118). 1 after-school club: Surbiton, London (40)

Places: 6,719

Employees: 1,951

GROWING PLACES

Head office: Growing Places @ Mill Hill, Mill Road, Waterlooville, Hants, PO7 7DB

Website: www.growingplaces.org.uk

CEO: Jackie Warren

Established: 2001

Owns 5 nurseries: Fareham 1 (64), Fareham 2 (36), Havant (48), Waterlooville 1 (94), Waterlooville 2 (48) – all in Hants. 3 out-of-school clubs: Fareham (36), Waterlooville 1 (48), Waterlooville 2 (24). 3 holiday clubs: Fareham, (36) Waterlooville (48), Wickham (36)

Places: 290

Employees: 110

HAPPY DAYS NURSERIES

Head office: Chapel Town, Summercourt, Cornwall, TR8 5YA

Tel: 01872 511020/0800 783 3431

Email: enquiries@happydaysnurseries.com

Website: www.happydaysnurseries.com

MD: Kim Herbert

Founding director: Sarah Karkeek

Operations director: Fiona Blackwell

Development director: Kevin Higgs

Established: 1993

Owns 23 nurseries: Bath, Somerset (70); Bristol 1 (100), Bristol 2 (82), Bristol 3 (81), Bristol 4 (81), Bristol 5 (81), Bristol 6 (81); Cardiff (105); Droitwich Spa, Worcs (90); Falmouth (63), St Austell (63), Summercourt (75), Treloweth (64), Truro 1 (71), Truro 2 (63), Truro 3 (52) – all in Cornwall; Derriford (146), Exeter (78) – both in Devon; Poole, Dorset (81); Salisbury (81), Swindon, (100) – both in Wiltshire; Weston-super-Mare (81), Yoevil (45) – both in Somerset

Places: 1,834

Employees: 500

Plans: Opening an 81-place setting in Dorset in Spring 2024.

HAPPY JAYS NURSERIES AND CHILDCARE CENTRES

Acquired by First for Childcare in 2017

Head office: Lancaster Park, Audax Close, Clifton Moor, York, YO30 4RA

Tel: 01904 479261

Established: 1996

Owns 6 nurseries: Batley (80), Boroughbridge (45), Harrogate (60), Scarborough 1 (95) Scarborough 2, Eastfield Children’s Centre (30), York (92) – all in Yorks

Places: 402

Employees: 100+

HAPPY KIDS CHILDCARE

Head office: 20 Cowley Drive, Chapeltown, Sheffield, S35 1SW

Email: info@happykids-childcare.co.uk

Website: www.happykids-childcare.co.uk

Directors: Steve Scott, Deborah Scott

Established: 2012

Owns 6 nurseries: Manchester: Heybury Close (63); S. Yorks: Clifton (39), East Dene (70), Dalton (36), Thrybergh (36), Thurcroft (40)

Places: 284

Employees: 73

Plans: To open a new nursery in Sheffield in September 2024.

HARP NURSERIES

Acquired Welcome Nurseries in August 2022.

Tel: 0800 098 4046

Website: www.harpnurseries.com

Owner: Simon Fox

Established: 2022

Owns 8 nurseries: Bolton, G. Manchester; Bootle, Merseyside; Catterick, N. Yorks; Earls Colne, Essex; Halifax, W. Yorks; Preston, Lancs; Sandbach, Cheshire; Warrington, Cheshire

Places: Unable to verify.

HONEYBUNS NURSERY GROUP

Head office: 17 Whitchurch Road, Wellington, Telford, TF1 3DS

Tel: 01952 246 002

Email: office@honeybunsnurseries.com

Website: www.honeybunsnurseries.co.uk

Director: Alison Shipton

Established: 2006

Owns 3 nurseries: Cannock Norton Canes (46), Stafford (59) – both in Staffs; Telford, Shropshire (128). Also runs a holiday clubat Stafford.

Places: 233

Employees: 88

HONEY POT NURSERIES

Head office: Chestnut Grove, Wavertree, Liverpool, L15 8HS

Tel: 0151 305 2022

Email: jenna@honeypotnursery.co.uk

Website: www.honeypotnursery.co.uk

Nursery owners: Jenna Geggie, Melissa Kalli

Area managers: Ashley Williams-Day, Kimberley Wilson

Established: 2007

Owns 6 nurseries: Liverpool, Merseyside: Aigburth (44), Childwall (44), Garston 1 (79), Garson 2 (30), (plus wraparound care and holiday club), Wavertree (91) Huyton (75)

Places: 363

Employees: 100+

HOPSCOTCH CHILDREN’S NURSERIES

Head office: First Floor, 14 Bavant Road, Brighton, BN1 6RD

Tel: 01273 385577

Email: office@hopscotchmail.com

Website: www.hopscotch.uk.com

Managing director: Philip Ford

Head of operations: Nicole Coulson

Established: 1988

Owns 7 nurseries: Brighton (98), Hove 1 (92), Hove 2 (57), Hove 3 (44), Peacehaven (60), Seaford (92) – plus 1 out-of-school club– all in E. Sussex; Worthing, W. Sussex (50)

Places: 493

Employees: 165

HOPSCOTCHDAY NURSERIES

Head office: 9 Fielder Drive, Fareham, Hants, PO14 1JE

Tel: 02392 559 840

Email: info@hopscotchdaynurseries.co.uk

Website: www.hopscotchdaynurseries.co.uk

Director: Freya Derrick

Finance director: Caroline Rawnsley

Established: 2005

Owns 8 nurseries: Botley, Southampton (120), Eastleigh (90), Fareham (85), Gosport (88), Lee on the Solent, Gosport (83), Portswood, Southampton (90), Regents Park, Southampton (90), Titchfield, Fareham (75) – all in Hants

Places: 721

Employees: 261

HUNGRY CATERPILLAR DAY NURSERIES

Head office: 12, 17, 18 Park Place, Newdigate Road, Harefield, UB9 6EJ

Tel: 01895 678682

Email: marketing@hungrycaterpillars.co.uk

Owners: Olivia Foley Hodgson, Tim Hodgson

Operations manager: Clare Porter

Established: 1999

Owns 10 nurseries: Bucks: Chalfont St Peter (70), High Wycombe (90); London: Acton Park (31), Hanwell (50), Northolt 1 (45), Northolt 2 (64), Perivale (20), Stanmore (38), West Ealing (34), West Twyford (40)

Places: 482

Employees: 170

Plans: To open new nurseries in 2024.

JANCETT CHILDCARE AND JACE TRAINING

Tel: 020 8669 1725

Email: childcareadmin@jancett.co.uk

Website: www.jancett.co.uk

Managing director: Tracy Pritchard-Drummond

Established: 1969

Owns 4 nurseries: Carshalton, Surrey (67); London: Wallington 1, Ross Road (62), Wallington 2 (54), Wallington 3 (36) – both Stanley Park Road. Also runs 13 out-of-school clubs. Provides traineeships, study programmes, apprenticeships and professional qualifications.

Places: 215

Employees: 180

KALEIDOSCOPE DAY NURSERIES

Head office: Adwalton Court, Hodgson Lane, Drighlington, BD11 1BJ

Tel: 0113 2852 572

Email: headoffice@knurseries.com

Website: www.knurseries.com

Directors: Jane Middlebrook, Steve Middlebrook

Established: 1990

Owns 3 nurseries: Leeds, W. Yorks: Drighlington (78), Gildersome (48), Morley (88). 3 out-of-school clubs: Leeds: Drighlington (40), Morley (40), Park Grove (50)

Places: 214

Employees: 107

KANGAROO POUCH NURSERIES

Head office: Oakham Library, Tividale, B69 1RD

Tel: 01384 850599

Email: education@kangeroopouch.org.uk

Website: www.kangaroopouch.org.uk

CEO and founder: Anita Patel Sahota

Area manager: Bethany Bloomfield

Established: 2011

Owns 8 nurseries: West Midlands: Bloxwich (49), Brierley Hill (53), Charlemont (40), Great Bridge (69), Harden (53), Hateley Heath (83), Tividale (62), Willenhall (60)

Places: 469

Employees: 115

KID EASE

Head office: Bourne House, 23 Hinton Road, Bournemouth, Dorset, BH1 2EF

Tel: 01202 201420

Email: info@kidease.co.uk

Website: http://kidease.co.uk

Managing director: Ian Atkey

Established: 2001

Owns and operates 5 nurseries: Dover, Kent: Buckland (58), Triangles (102); Hawkinge, Kent (104); Norwich, Norfolk (61); Swingfield, Kent (57)

Places: 382

Employees: 104

KIDO NURSERY AND PRE-SCHOOL

Head office: 113 Blegborough Rd, London, SW16 6DL

Email: marketing@kido.school

Website: www.kidoschools.com

Group CEO: Aniruddh Gupta

Deputy group and UK CEO: Philippe Sachs

UK COOs: Emma Phillips, Catherine Stoneman

Established: 2017

Owns 13 nurseries: Battersea (100+), Camden (65), Chiswick (95), Clerkenwell (80), Crouch End (100), Golders Green (85), Greenwich (100+), Fulham (70), Streatham (100+), Tooting (90) Wandsworth (60), Waterloo (90), Windsor (70) – all in London

Places: 1,000+

Employees: 200+

Plans: Opening in Bethnal Green in 2024.

KIDDYCARE

Head office: 71 Melton Road, Leicester, LE4 6PN

Tel: 0116 268 1471

Email: nadine@kiddycarenurseries.co.uk; kala@kiddycarenurseries.co.uk

Website: www.kiddycarenurseries.co.uk

Director: Kala Patel

Operations manager: Nadine Farrington

Established: 1985

Owns 5 nurseries: Leicester 1, Leics, Angels Pre-School (40), Leicester 2 (65), Leicester 3, Little Willows (45), Leicester 4, Parkview (45); Millman Street, Camden, London (35)

Places: 230

Employees: 65

KIDS INC NURSERIES

Head office: Select House, 14a Eastwood Close, South Woodford, London E18 1BX

Tel: 020 8598 2600

Website: www.kidsincnurseries.co.uk

Established: 2003

Operates 15 nurseries: Aylesbury, Bucks (68); Bluewater, Kent (106); Broomfield, Chelmsford (52); Crowthorne, Berks (82); Gravesend, Kent (92); Guildford, Surrey (102); Loughton, Essex (66); London: Chingford (73), East Sheen (36), Enfield (101), Ilford 1 (55), Ilford 2 (100), Ilford 3 (110), South Woodford (64); Welwyn Garden City, Herts (97)

Places: 1,204

Employees: 350

Plans: Further acquisitions/openings planned in and around the M25 area. New nurseries opening in Surrey and Hampshire in 2024.

KIDS PLANET DAY NURSERIES AND KIDS ALLOWED

Head office: 231 Higher Lane, Lymm, Cheshire, WA13 0NA

Tel: 01925 753 448

Email: headoffice@kidsplanetdaynurseries.co.uk

Website: www.kidsplanetdaynurseries.co.uk

Directors: Clare Roberts, Lucy Kaczmarska, Colin Anderton, John Hoban

Established: 2008

Owns 172 nurseries: Birmingham 1, W. Mids (60), Birmingham 2 (63), Birmingham 3 (58), Birmingham 4 (42); Blackburn, Lancs 1 (80), Blackburn 2 (55); Blackpool 1, Lancs (87), Blackpool 2 (53), Blackpool 3 (50), Blackpool 4 (92); Bolton (102); Bradford 1, W. Yorks (121), Bradford 2 (80), Bradford 3 (60), Bradford 4 (80), Bradford 5 (100), Bradford 6 (80), Bradford 7 (80); Brierley Hill, W. Mids 1 (125), Brierley Hill 2 (85); Burnley, Lancs (92); Cambridge, Cambs (100); Castleford (91); Cheshire: Adswood (60), Beamont (39), Cheadle Royal (312), Chester 1 (133), Chester 2 (110), Clitheroe (112), Congleton (80), Crewe 1 (67), Crewe 2 (42), Frodsham (100), Great Sankey (113), Hale (81), Haslington (100), Knutsford (196), Lymm (141), Middlewich (100), Northwich (100), Stretton (54), Urmston (78), Widnes (82); Chorley, Lancs (120); Coventry 1, Warks (80), Coventry 2 (63), Coventry 3 (88); Cramlington, Northumberland (60); Derbyshire: Brampton (93), Chesterfield (65), Newbold (60), North Wingfield (62), Sheepbridge (108); Durham (39); Greater Manchester: Altrincham (240), Ashton under Lyne (122), Audenshaw (102), Bolton (52), Christie Fields (246), Denton (99), Dukinfield (78), Eccles (100), Higher Broughton (160), Leigh (120), Macclesfield (284), Prestwich (126), Sale 1 (83), Sale 2 (116), Salford 1 (130), Salford 2 (136), Stalybridge (116), Stockport 1 (60), Stockport 2 (83), Stockport 3 (280), Swinton (147), Trafford City (152), Worsley (120), Wythenshawe (109); Halesowen, W. Mids (72); Harrogate (81); Hinckley, Leics (73); Huddersfield 1, W. Yorks (45), Huddersfield 2 (38), Huddersfield 3 (67); Kettering, Northants (132); Kidderminster, Worcs (70); Kingswinford, W. Mids (124); Knaresborough, N. Yorks (92); Leeds 1, W. Yorks (108), Leeds 2 (151), Leeds 3 (64), Leeds 4 (90), Leeds 5 (73), Leeds 6 (78), Leeds 7 (72), Leeds 8 (93); Little Lever, Lancs (74); Lytham St Annes 1, Lancs (40), Lytham St Annes 2 (97), Lytham St Annes 3 (108), Lytham St Annes 4 (57); Merseyside: Billinge (88), Halewood (61), Heswall, Wirral (64), Hoylake (111), Kirkby (74), Litherland (110), Liverpool 1 (154), Liverpool 2 (118), Liverpool 3 (98), Prescot 1 (76), Prescot 2 (62), Prescot 3 (88), Southport Ainsdale (47), Southport (170), Springhead (55), Wallasey 1 (96), Wallasey 2 (24), Waverton (98), Wavertree (87); Newcastle under Lyme (109); Newcastle upon Tyne: Kenton Park (58), Wallsend (120), Westerhope (72); Normanton, W. Yorks 1 (40), Normanton 2 (128); Nottingham 1, Notts (98), Nottingham 2 (72), Nottingham 3 (60), Nottingham 4 (40); Oxford: Bradmore Road (54), Jack Straws Lane (58), Mansion House (47), University (88), Woodstock Road (84); Nuneaton 1 (120) Nuneaton 2 (64); Poulton le Flyde 1, Lancs (60), Poulton le Flyde 2 (135); Preston 1, Lancs (72), Preston 2 (72); Pudsey, W. Yorks (74); Rochdale 1, Lancs (44), Rochdale 2 (64), Rochdale 3 (66); Rugeley, Staffs (38); Shrewsbury, Shropshire (120); Solihull 1, W. Mids (30), Solihull 2 (46); Stafford 1, Staffs (64), Stafford 2 (37); Stapleton, Darlington (110); Stoke on Trent 1, Staffs (112), Stoke on Trent 2 (76), Stoke on Trent 3 (55); Stone, Staffs (72); Sunderland, Tyne and Wear (60); Tadcaster, N. Yorks (277); Telford 1 (196), Telford 2 (194); Thornton-Cleveleys 1, Lancs (56), Thornton-Cleveleys 2 (65), Thornton-Cleveleys 3 (62), Thornton-Cleveleys 4 (102), Thornton-Cleveleys 5 (40); Warrington 1, Cheshire (81), Warrington 2 (80), Warrington 3 (95); Wetherby, W. Yorks (55); Whitley Bay 1 (82), Whitley Bay 2 (26); Witney (96)

Places: 15,841

Employees: 4,782

KIDZCARE

Head office: Norwood House, 9 Kilgraston Road, Edinburgh, EH9 2DX

Tel: 0131 668 2797

Email: enquiries@kidzcare.org

Website: www.kidzcare.org

Owner: Employee-owned (employee ownership trust)

Operations manager: Romana Davis

Established: 2001

Owns 4 nurseries: Edinburgh 1, Craigmillar (19), Edinburgh 2, Astley Ainslie Hospital (104), Edinburgh 3 (66), Edinburgh 4, Portobello (40). Also runs 5 after-school clubs, 4 breakfast clubs and 2 holiday clubs.

Places: 229

Employees: 150

KIDZRUS

Head office: 19-21 Monton House, Monton, Manchester, M30 9LE

Tel: 0161 743 9853

Email: info@kidzrusnursery.co.uk

Website: www.kidzrusnursery.co.uk

Director: Nicola Fleury

Established: 2010

Owns 5 nurseries: Irlam (38), Media City (108), Monton (78), Swinton (54), The Lodge (67) – all in Greater Manchester

Places: 345

Employees: 90

KINDRED EDUCATION

Acquired: Snap! 4 Kids Limited, Alphabet House Day Nurseries Limited, Rainbow House Nursery Limited, Moor End Farm Day Nursery Limited.

Head office: 11 Brooklands Court, Kettering Venture Park, Kettering, NN15 6FD

Email: enquiries@kindrednurseries.co.uk

Website: www.kindrednurseries.co.uk

Chief executive: Ruth Pimentel

Chief financial officer: Nigel Lloyd

Director of childcare and education: Annie Tierney

Established: 2015

Owns 38 nurseries: Amesbury, Wilts (32); Beeston, Nottinghamshire (44); Billericay 1, Essex (101), Billericay 2 (44); Bournemouth, Dorset (92); Cambourne, Cambridgeshire (110); Cambridge, Cambridgeshire (51); Cheshunt, Hertfordshire (100); Durrington, Wilts (56); Farnsfield, Nottinghamshire (121); Girton, Cambridgeshire (100); Harlow, Essex (43); Hauxton, Cambridgeshire (51); Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire (77); Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire (100); London: Bromley 1 (120), Bromley 2 (100), Bromley 3 (45), Bromley 4 (46), Enfield (38), Edmonton (45), Hainault (80), Hanwell (90), Islington (75), Maida Vale (39), Orpington (58), Southgate (40), Teddington (39), Wanstead (80); Lowdham, Nottinghamshire (65); Rayleigh, Essex (72); Salisbury 1, Wilts (98), Salisbury 2, Wilts (60), Salisbury 3, Wilts (44); St Ives, Cambridgeshire (100); West Bridgford, Nottinghamshire (93); Westcliff on Sea, Essex (72); Wheathampstead, Hertfordshire (67). Also owns 3 out-of-school clubs.

Places: 2,688

Employees: 857

Plans: To continue expansion.

KIRKTONHOLME CHILDCARE

Head office: 401 Kirktonholme Road, East Kilbride, G72 0JH

Tel: 01355 222000

Email: karen.flynn@kirktonholmenursery.com

Website: www.kirktonholmenursery.com

Area manager: Karen Flynn

Development manager: Sarah Kelly

Established: 1996

Owns 10 nurseries: Airdrie, N. Lanarkshire (53); Bearsden, E. Dunbartonshire (92); Broomhill, Glasgow (135); Coatbridge 1, N. Lanarkshire (54), Coatbridge 2 (16), Coatbridge 3 (16); East Kilbride, S. Lanarkshire (188); Govan, Glasgow (96); Newton Mearns, E. Renfrewshire (80); Shettleston, Glasgow (63); Tollcross, Glasgow (78); Wishaw, N. Lanarkshire (53). Also owns 2 Forest Schools.

Places: 924

Employees: 243

LEAP AHEAD NURSERIES

Head office: Unit 54, K3 Business Park, 200 Clough Road, Hull, HU5 1SN

Tel: 01482 821467

Email: headoffice@brightstartdaynurseries.co.uk

Website: www.brightstartdaynurseries.co.uk, www.leapaheadnurseries.co.uk

Director: Angela Proctor

Established: 2014

Owns 4 nurseries: Lincolnshire: Brigg (27), Grimsby (39), Scunthorpe (50), Ulceby (30)

Places: 50

Employees: 146

LILLIPUT MONTESSORI DAY NURSERIES

Head office: Railway House, Hotel Street, Coalville, Leicester, LE67 3EQ

Tel: 0330 0431262

Email: samgraveling@aol.com

Directors: Samantha Graveling, Paul Graveling

Established: 1994

Owns 5 nurseries: Anstey (79), Coalville (66), Glenfield (27), Leicester Forest East (100), Whetstone (63) – all in Leics. Also runs before- and after-school clubs.

Places: 335

Employees: 105

LINCOLNSHIRE CHILDCARE

Head office: The Old School, 107a-107b Dudley Road, Grantham, Lincolnshire, NG31 9AB

Tel: 01476 591744

Email: info@headstartnurseries.co.uk

Website: www.headstartnurseries.co.uk

Director: Diane Smith

Area manager: Rita McMath

Established: 1989

Owns 5 nurseries: Bourne (80), Grantham 1 (145), Grantham 2 (120), Market Deeping (109), Ruskington (70) – all in Lincs. 2 out-of-school clubs: Grantham (124), Ruskington (30)

Places: 524

Employees: 88

LITTLE ADVENTUES NURSERY GROUP*

Head office: Little Adventures Nurseries, Wells Rd, Wedmore, BS28 4SA

Tel: 01934 713527

Email: hello@familyadventuresgroup.com

Website: https://littleadventuresnursery.com

Key personnel: Tom Filer (CEO/founder), Laura Filer (CMO/founder)

Established: 2020

Owns 6 nurseries: Bridgwater (65), Cheddar (48), Taunton (60), Weston-super-Mare (51), Worle (53) – all in Somerset; Dudley, W. Midlands (65)

Places: 342

Employees: 120

Plans: To open further nurseries within the South-West and Midlands.

LITTLE BARN OWLS

Head office: Cowfold Road, West Grinstead, Horsham, RH13 8LY

Tel: 01403 289545

Email: info@littlebarnowls.co.uk

Website: www.littlebarnowls.co.uk

Director: Hayley Peacock

Established: 2010

Owns 3 nurseries: Horsham 1 (120), Horsham 2 (52), Horsham 3 (38) – all in W. Sussex

Places: 210

Employees: 120

LITTLE ELMS DAYCARE

Head office: 29 Beckenham Road, Beckenham, Kent, BR3 4PR

Tel: 020 8658 4282

Email: parentenquiries@littleelmsdaycare.co.uk

Website: www.littleelmsdaycare.co.uk

Directors: Matthew and Spencer Lancaster

Owns 11 nurseries: Beckenham 1, Kent (136), Beckenham 2 (60); London: Bromley (43), Catford (62), Catford Green (61), Greenwich (60), Greenwich Peninsula (49), Lee (134), Orpington (95), Shirley (65), Sydenham (62)

Places: 827

Employees: 354

LITTLE ONES CHILDCARE

Head office: Pinbrook Industrial Estate, Chancel Lane, Pinhoe, Exeter, Devon, EX4 8JS

Tel: 01392 469909

Email: info@littleoneschildcare.co.uk

Website: www.littleoneschildcare.co.uk

Managing director: Katie Porter

Established: 2000

Owns and manages 4 nurseries: Bovey Tracey (44), Budlake (29), Honiton (33), Whipton (36) – all in Devon

Places: 142

Employees: 50

LITTLE RIPLEY DAY NURSERIES

Head office: 42 Warwick Road, Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham, B73 6ST

Tel: 0121 3547878

Email: info@littleripley.co.uk

Website: www.littleripley.co.uk

Directors: Ruth Appleby, Tom Oakey, Jenny Turner, Sarah Cox

Established: 1988

Owns and manages 16 nurseries: Great Barr (60), Warren Road (55), Kingsbury Road (50), Marsh Hill (60), Oscott School Lane (60), Short Heath (52), Wood End Lane (60), Wood End Road (66) – all in Birmingham, W. Mids; Birmingham Road (94), Burnett Road (60), 2 Goldieslie Road (59), 4 Goldieslie Road (38), South Parade (82), Tudor Close (58), Withy Hill Road (120) – all in Sutton Coldfield, W. Mids; Shenstone Wood (70), West Midlands

Places: 1,044

Employees: 362

LONDON EARLY YEARS FOUNDATION (LEYF)

Head office: 121 Marsham Street, London, SW1P 4LX

Tel: 020 7821 3603

Email: info@leyf.org.uk

Website: www.leyf.org.uk

Chief executive: June O’Sullivan

Operations director: Mike Abbott

Established: 1903 (known as Westminster Health Society)

Legal structure/status: Registered charity, company limited by guarantee and social enterprise

Manages 40 community, workplace and children’s centre nurseries: London: Angel (32), Barking Riverside 1 (48), Barking Riverside 2 (32), Bessborough (51), Bird in Bush, Lewisham (55), Brixton (55), Burgess Park (32), Bushy Tails, Teddington (80), Camberwell Grove (81), Carlton Hill (72), Colville (46), Conservatoire, Blackheath (45), Cumberland Road, Newham (95), Deanery Road, Stratford (104), Earls Court (50), Eastbury (61), Farrance Road, Romford (47), Fire Station, Hackney (45), Ford Road, Dagenham (57), Gumboots, Dulwich (112), Harrow Road, Paddington (48), Hither Green (48), House of Commons, Westminster (40), Katharine Bruce, N. Kensington (54), Leys (56), London Fields, Hackney (57), Marks Gate, Romford (52), Marsham Street, Westminster (64), Micky Star, Westminster (62), New Cross (69), Noah’s Ark, Tower Hamlets (56), Pembury (71), Playhouse, New Cross (51), Soho (40), South Bermondsey (62), Stockwell (94), Thames Reach (74), University of East London, Newham (45), Wandsworth Bridge (48), Weir Link, Lambeth (47)

Places: 2,338

Employees: 800

MAGIC ROUNDABOUT NURSERIES

Head office: MRNHouse, Binfield Road, London, SW4 6TB

Tel: 020 7498 1195

Email: info@mrnnursery.co.uk

Website: https://mrnnursery.co.uk

Director: Farukh Najabat

Established: 1995

Owns 5 nurseries: Bristol (108); London: Docklands (63), Kennington (111), Stockwell (186), Walthamstow (120)

Places: 588

Employees: 134

THE MARMALADE SCHOOLS

Head office: Marmalade Schools, 1 Altenburg Gardens, London, SW11 1JH

Tel: 020 8265 5224

Email: marmaladeschools@gmail.com

Website: www.marmalade schools.co.uk

Directors: Nick and Rozzy Hyslop

Established: 2004

Owns 6 nurseries: Balham (80), Clapham (100), Fulham (80), Kensington (80), Wandsworth 1 (80), Wandsworth 2 (80) – all in London.

Places: 500

Employees: 60

Plans: Looking for more settings in London.

MAMA BEAR’S DAY NURSERY

Head office: 60-62 High Street, Hanham, Bristol, BS15 3DR

Tel: 0117 958 2030

Email: tony@mamabear.co.uk

Website: www.mamabear.co.uk

Directors: A.W. Driffield (managing), B.J. Driffield, K.A. Sturmey, V.L. Ashbolt, N.L. Thorne

Established: 2002

Owns 16 nurseries: Bristol: Bridgwater (87), Clifton (80), Downend (40), Fishponds (59), Shirehampton (68), Speedwell 1 (20), Speedwell 2 (60), Totterdown (80), Whitchurch (32); Paignton 1, Devon (62), Paignton 2 (57); Plymouth 1, Devon (115), Plymouth 2 (30); Taunton, Somerset (53); Torquay, Devon (30); Yeovil, Somerset (68)

Places: 941

Employees: 400

MICHILD

Head office: 1 Vicarage Lane, Stratford, London, E15 4HF

Tel: 0800 307 0155

Email: enquiries@michild.group

Website: https://michildnurseries.co.uk

Directors: Adam Sage (chief executive officer), Christopher Ross-Roberts (chairman), Pauline Sage (COO), Katy Farrell (director of early years)

Established: 2019

Owns 14 nurseries: Blackpool 1, Lancs (125), Blackpool 2 (84), Blackpool 3 (57), Blackpool 4 (55), Blackpool 5 (47); G. Manchester: Manchester 1 (87), Manchester 2 (87), Manchester 3 (36), Oldham 1 (68), Oldham 2 (65), Oldham 3 (60), Oldham 4 (32), Stockport (47); Runcorn, Cheshire (51)

Places: 901

Employees: 210

MINIS CHILDCARE

Head office: 7 Teal Street, London, SE10 0ST

Tel: 0203 135 0670

Email: manager@millenniumminis.co.uk; manager@maritimeminis.co.uk

Website: www.millenniumminis.co.uk; www.maritimeminis.co.uk

Director: Ben Hutchings

Established: 2012

Owns 3 nurseries: London: Lakeside (39), Maritime (93), Riverside (60) – all Greenwich

Places: 192

Employees: 57

MON AMI CHILDREN’S NURSERIES

Head office: Ormsby Lodge, 12 East Street, Alford, Lincolnshire, LN13 9EQ

Tel: 01507 462228

Email: info@monaminurseries.co.uk

Website: monaminurseries.co.uk

Proprietors: Samantha Britton, Jarrod Britton

Senior manager: Kristina Johnson

Established: 2002

Owns 4 nurseries: Alford (86), Boston (90), Swineshead (63), Wragby (70) – all in Lincs

Places: 309

Employees: 46

MONKEY PUZZLE DAY NURSERIES

Head office: 4 Churchgates, Berkhamsted, Herts, HP4 2UB

Tel: 01442 878887

Email: info@mpdn.co.uk

Website: www.mpdn.co.uk

CEO: Richard Blunden

Established: 2004

Owns/manages 73 nurseries: Ealing (70), East Sheen (76), Loughton (71), West Kensington (84) – all in London; Guildford, Surrey (89); Woodford, Essex (120) As part of franchise (67 nurseries): Altrincham, G. Manchester (55); Astwick, Beds (104); Aylesbury, Bucks (72); Bedford, Beds (96); Bexleyheath, Kent (140); Billericay, Essex (71); Bishops Stortford, Essex (63); Borehamwood, Herts (97); Bromley, Kent (64); Cambridge 1, Cambs (65), Cambridge 2 (195), Cambridge 3 (78); Chesham, Bucks (51); Cheshunt, Herts (72); Colchester, Essex (159); Glasgow (79); Hartley Wintney, Hants (72); High Wycombe, Bucks (60); Irthlingborough, Northants (63); Kettering, Northants (72); London: Angel (70), Battersea (71), Catford (122), Chadwell Heath (82), Charlton (115), East Finchley (82), Eltham (60), Enfield (52), Golders Green (52), Greenford (154), Harrow (83), Highbury Park (71), Hither Green (91), Melody Lane (120), Muswell Hill (52), New Cross (67), Orpington (82), Southgate (98), Stoke Newington (52), Streatham (72), Twickenham (48), Uxbridge (96), Welling (70), West Acton (54), West Norwood (60); Maidenhead, Berks (75); Otley, Yorks (75); Portsmouth, Hants (80); Purley, Surrey (60); Seer Green, Bucks (88); Shefford, Beds (51); Sidcup, Kent (100); Solihull (45); Southport 1, Merseyside (87), Southport 2 (59); Stafford, W. Mids (77); St Albans 1, Herts (47), St Albans 2 (87); Stratford-upon-Avon, Warks (69); Surbiton, Surrey (60); Sutton, Surrey (85); Tatsfield, Surrey (56); Timperley, Manchester (55); Tunbridge Wells, Kent (80); Walton-on-Thames, Surrey (105); Ware, Herts (60); Watford, Herts (54)

Places: 5,769

Employees: 1,971

Plans: To open five new nurseries in the next six months.

MULBERRY BUSH NURSERY GROUP

Head office: 741 Walmersley Rd, Bury, Lancashire, BL9 5JW

Tel: 0161 761 0169

Email: jo.kinloch@mulberrybush-nursery.co.uk

Website: www.mulberrybush-nursery.co.uk

Directors: Joanne Kinloch, Paul Robinson, Andrew Robinson

Established: 1990

Owns 5 nurseries: Bury, G. Manchester: Dumers Lane (122), Tottington (98), Walmersley (80), Walshaw (104), Whitefield (56)

Places: 460

Employees: 200

NATURAL CHOICE NURSERIES

Acquired Desirable Childcare in 2017.

Tel: 01454 527627

Email: admin@ncnltd.co.uk

Website: http://ncnltd.co.uk

Owners: Nicky and Fred Edwards

Owns 4 nurseries: Alveston, South Glos (44); Charfield, South Glos (63); Cheltenham 1, Glos (68), Cheltenham 2 (38). Also runs holiday clubsat both Cheltenham settings.

Places: 213

Employees: 60

NATURALLY LEARNING

Head office: The Hayloft, Trewhiddle Village, Pentewan Road, St. Austell, PL26 7AD

Tel: 01726 983713

Email: info@naturallylearning.co.uk

Website: www.naturallylearning.co.uk

Owner/managing director: Mandy Richardson

Operations director: Tom Richardson

Established: 2012

Owns 5 nurseries, including 2 Forest Schools at Charlestown and Truro: Charlestown (53), Falmouth (48), Nansledan (64), Truro 1 (52), Truro 2 (48)– all in Cornwall. Also runs 2 holiday clubs.

Places: 265

Employees: 104

Plans: To open a new 64-place setting in Redruth in 2024.

NATURE TRAIL NURSERY

Head office: School Lane, Brinscall, Chorley, Lancashire, PR6 8QP

Tel: 01254 830912

Email: ntnheadoffice@gmail.com

Directors: Amanda Hilton, Sharon Brindley

Established: 2010

Owns 8 nurseries: Brinscall (80), Chorley 1 (70), Chorley 2 (70), Chorley 3 (65), Euxton 1 (22), Euxton 2 (62), Heskin (40), Parbold (45) – all in Lancs. Also runs a before- and after-school clubat 62-place Euxton setting.

Places: 450

Employees: 110

NEWPARK CHILDCARE

Head office: Arlington Wharf, 45A Arlington Avenue, Islington, London, N1 7BE

Tel: 020 7503 0961

Website: www.newparkchildcare.co.uk

Directors: Barry Clutterbuck, Janice Clutterbuck, Tiffany Clutterbuck

Established: 1994

Owns 7 Montessori nursery schools: London: Barbican (26), Chiswick (53), Clerkenwell (64), Highbury (34), Islington (92), Shepherds Bush (82), Wandsworth (64)

Places: 415

Employees: 120

Plans: Ongoing expansion.

N FAMILY CLUB

Head office: 47-49 Charlotte Road, London, EC2A 3QT

Tel: 020 3865 7402

Email: admissions@nfamilyclub.com

Website: https://nfamilyclub.com

Chief executive officer: Phil Sunderland

Education and academy director: Dr Gemma Pawson

Managing director: Simone Carter

Chief financial officer: Jon Temple

Established: 2017

Owns 31 nurseries: Bushey, Herts (87); Cambridge, Cambs (82); Chertsey, Surrey (136); Cobham, Surrey (60); Godalming, Surrey (119); London: Angel (129), Balham (98), Brixton (142), Dollis Hill (80), Hackney (96), Highgate (66), Kentish Town (117), Kingston (127), London Fields (55), Maida Vale (80), Olympic Park (107), Stoke Newington 1 (72), Stoke Newington 2 (72), Twickenham (127), Wandsworth (85), West Hampstead (89), Whetstone (110); Ockham, Surrey (75); Reading (135); Redhill, Surrey (112); Tunbridge Wells, Kent (124); West Midlands: Codsall (120), Harborne, Edgbaston (76), Jewellery Quarter (101), Moseley (75); Weybridge, Surrey (55)

Places: 2,986

Employees: 1,164

Plans: To grow in 2024 through opportunities including upcoming nursery launches in Greenwich, Maidenhead, Twickenham, West Leyton, Walthamstow and Leatherhead.

NORTHUMBRIAN TRUST DAY NURSERIES

Head office: 301 Chillingham Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE6 5SB

Tel: 0191 265 6501

Email: enquiries@northumbriantrustdaynurseries.co.uk

Website: www.northumbriantrustdaynurseries.co.uk

Directors: J.P. Gould, E.G.Gould, J.J. Gould

Established: 1994

Owns 3 nurseries: Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear (87, plus out-of-school club); Spennymoor, Co. Durham (43); Stockton-on-Tees, Co. Durham (80, plus out-of-school club)

Places: 210

Employees: 46

THE NURSERY FAMILY

Formerly A Step Ahead.

Email: enquiries@thenurseryfamily.co.uk

Website: www.thenurseryfamily.co.uk

Chief executive: Chenyan Xu

COO: Dianne Lumsden-Earle

Operations manager: Ellen Brechin

Established: 2012

Owns 6 nurseries: Ashington, W. Sussex (63); Lancing, W. Sussex (54); Lower Beeding, W. Sussex (54); Purbrook, Hants (70); Shoreham, W. Sussex (60); Southwater, W. Sussex (24). Plus 28-place baby and toddler unit.

Places: 353

Employees: 100+

NURSERYTIME

Head office: 71 Beach Road, South Shields, NE33 2QT

Tel: 0191 4542880

Email: info@nurserytime.org.uk

Website: https://nurserytime.org.uk

Director: Catherine Barrow

Owns 5 nurseries: Bishop Auckland, Co. Durham (100); Durham, Co. Durham (57); Hebburn, Tyne and Wear (47); South Shields, Tyne and Wear (100); Willington, Derbs (58)

Employees: 104

NUNTHORPE NURSERIES GROUP

Head office: The Crescent, Nunthorpe, Middlesbrough, TS7 0JP

Tel: 01642 325312

Email: carmel@nunthorpenurseries.co.uk

Website: www.nunthorpe nurseriesgroup.co.uk

Directors: Ian Howlett, James Howlett

Established: 1989

Owns 8 nurseries: Billingham (50), Brambles Farm (78), Ingleby Barwick (60), Middlesbrough 1 (76), Middlesbrough 2 (85), Middlesbrough 3 (51), Nunthorpe (76), Stockton-on-Tees (62) – all in Teesside. Out-of-school and holiday clubsat each setting.

Places: 538

Employees: 158

THE OLD STATION NURSERY

Acquired by La Maison Bleue in 2019.

Head office: 4th Floor, The Urban Building, 3-9 Albert Street, Slough, Berkshire, SL1 2BE

Tel: 01753 362 570

Email: coo@theoldstationnursery.co.uk

Website: www.theoldstationnursery.co.uk

CEO: Sarah Steel

Deputy CEO and CFO: Sumeer Aggarwal

COO: Claire Sephton

Established: 2002

Owns 77 nurseries: Alcester, Warks (81); Alvechurch, Worcs (91); Bampton, Oxon (38); Barnt Green, Worcs (45); Berkhamsted, Herts (115); Birmingham 1, W. Mids (70), Birmingham 2 (72); Bishopthorpe, York (61); Boston, Lincs (98); Bridgetown, Warks (36); Brockley, London (91); Bromsgrove, Worcs (60); Canterbury, Kent (69); Colchester, Essex (65); Dartington, Devon (87); Dartmouth, Devon (42); Devizes, Wilts (138); Dover, Kent (51); Droitwich, Worcs (72); Elvington, York (98); Fareham 1, Hants (55), Fareham 2 (63); Faringdon, Oxon (94); Faversham, Kent (109); Fen Drayton, Cambs (43); Filkins, Oxon (30); Flaxton, York (47); Granta Park, Cambs (96); Harpole, Northants (34); Haxby, York (64); Heath Mill, Surrey (71); Hemel Hempstead, Herts (75); Henley-on-Thames, Oxon (70); Herne Bay, Kent (63); Heyford, Oxon (64); High Wycombe, London (30); Houlton, Warks (95); Innsworth, Glos (94); Iver, Bucks (76); Little Houghton, Northants (62); Maidstone, Kent (80); Malvern, Worcs (100); Margate 1, Kent (64), Margate 2 (76); Marlow, Bucks (64); Minster Yard, York (116); Mottershead, Glos (46); Newton Abbot 1, Devon (37), Newton Abbot 2 (56); Oxford Science Park, Oxon (77); Peckham, London (78); Pershore, Worcs (90); Poppleton, York (40); Portsmouth, Hants (40); Ramsgate, Kent (96); Royston, Herts (87); Rubery, Worcs (120); Southend-on-Sea, Essex (60); St Neots 1, Cambs (44), St Neots 2 (47); Stowmarket 1, Suffolk (65), Stowmarket 2 (45); Stratford-upon-Avon 1, Warks (37), Stratford-upon-Avon 2 (59), Stratford-upon-Avon 3 (42); Tadcaster Road (107); Taplow, Bucks (84); Uxbridge, London (73); Walsall, W. Mids (69); Waterlooville, Hants (55); Warwick, Warks (28); Wellesbourne, Warks (67); Wellingborough, Northants (63); Whitstable, Kent (79); Wolverhampton, W. Mids (105); Wombourne, Staffs (91); Wylde Green, W. Mids (55)

Places: 5,355

Employees: 1,540, plus 82 in head office

ONCE UPON A TIME DAY NURSERIES

Head office: Blair Athol House, Ashfield Avenue, Feltham, Middlesex, TW13 5BB

Fax: 020 8844 0800

Website: www.onceuponatimedaynurseries.co.uk

Proprietor: Lorna Hackland-Crowther

Established: 1989

Owns 7 nurseries: Hillingdon: Eastcote (26), Hayes (50), Uxbridge (42), West Drayton (32); Hounslow: Feltham (63), Lower Feltham (35), Hanworth (26) – all in London

Places: 274

Employees: 125

PAINT POTS PRE-SCHOOL AND NURSERY

Acquired by Launchpad Early Years in 2022.

Head office: Paint Pots House, 1 Spring Crescent, Portswood, Southampton, SO17 2FZ

Tel: 02380 018740

Email: info@paintpotsnursery.co.uk

Website: www.paintpotsnursery.co.uk

Executive director: Nick Ralph

Group manager: Cat Baker

Operations manager: Liz McCarthy

Established: 1992

Owns 12 nurseries: Lymington, Hants (24); Southampton, Hants: City Centre (56), Harefield (46), Freemantle (52), Portswood (64), Sholing (60), Shirley 1 (52), Shirley 2 (38), St Mark’s, Shirley (31), Swaythling (60), West End (54); Winchester, Hants (24)

Places: 561

Employees: 177

PAPER MOON DAY NURSERIES

Head office: The Clock Tower, Compton Acres, Nottingham, NG2 7RS

Tel: 01115 982 1122

Email: admin@papermoonnurseries.co.uk

Website: www.papermoonnurseries.co.uk

Director: Dianne Mayfield

Established: 1990

Owns 7 nurseries: Lincs: Boultham Park (34), Doddington Park (50); Notts: Compton Acres (70), Faraday Road (40), Forest Town (108), Gamston (70), Sutton in Ashfield (134)

Places: 506

Employees: 150

PARTOU*

All About Children and Just Childcare merged in January 2024 to become Partou.

Head office (North): Ridgway House, Progress Way, Denton, M34 2GP

Head office (South): Barratt House, Kingsthorpe Road, Northampton, NN2 6EZ

Tel: 0161 320 2750/01604 265 445

Email: enquiries@justchildcare.co.uk; info@allaboutchildren.co.uk

Website: www.justchildcare.co.uk; www.allaboutchildren.co.uk

Managing director: Samantha Rhodes

Operations director: Liz Carroll

Established: 2023

Owns 104 nurseries: Accrington (67), Adel (62), Alwoodley (65), Amersham (75), Arnold (61), Atherton (91), Atherton 1 (75), Atherton 2 (83), Barnwood (99), Beaconsfield (49), Beech Green (84), Bessacarr (149), Bidston (82), Binfield (124), Bishop’s Stortford (74), Blackrod (83), Brimstage (68), Brislington (70), Bristol City Centre (95), Burnley 1 (73), Burnley 2 (71), Cheltenham (69), Chorley (61), Ellesmere Port (52), Fishponds (51), Frampton Cotterell (48), Fulwood 1 (90), Fulwood 2 (86), Gledhow (62), Haddenham (46), Hadfield (76), Halton (44), Harrogate 1 (78), Harrogate 2 (74), Harrogate 3 (72), Harrogate 4 (86), Harrogate 5 (54), Hatfield (92), Hemel Hempstead (48), High Wycombe (111), Hoddesdon (89), Hucclecote (90), Idle 1 (76), Idle 2 (97), Knowle (78), Leyland (115), Little Stanney (63), London 1 (120), London 2 (69), London 3 (100), London 4 (52), London 5 (65), London 6 (61), London 7 (43), Longlevens (75), Luton (114), Market Harborough (80), Methley (59), Mill End (72), Moortown (80), North Prenton (66), Oxton (71), Padiham (48), Prenton (67), Quedgeley (69), Redditch (59), Rickmansworth (49), Roundhay (71), Sale (86), Sandbach (103), Sandymoor (56), Shepperton (90), Shipley (77), Slough (142), South Croydon (56), Southport (78), Speedwell (46), Speke (96), Spurstow (44), St. George (53), Stafford (72), Staines-Upon-Thames (44), Stockport (72), Stockwood (79), Stoke Gifford (40), Stretton (72), Sunninghill (114), Sutton Coldfield (94), Taplow (89), Thornbury (106), Tyldesley (118), Uxbridge (74), Ware 1 (114), Ware 2 (50), West Bridgford 1 (50), West Bridgford 2 (66), West Bridgford 3 (65), Whaddon (134), Widnes (74), Wigan (97), Worcester (60), Yate 1 (61), Yate 2 (45), Yeadon (108)

Places: 6,176

Employees: 2,801

Plans: To open an 82-place nursery in Victoria Park, Rock Ferry in January 2024.

PATHWAYS NURSERIES AND CHILDCARE CENTRES

Head office: 2 Huddesford Drive, Balsall Common, Coventry, CV7 7RR

Tel: 01926 484030

Email: office@pathwaysnursery.co.uk

Website: www.pathwaysnursery.co.uk

Directors: Caroline Jones, Beth Casey

Established: 1989

Owns 5 nurseries: Barston, Solihull (40), Balsall Common (24), Chelmsley Wood (60), Holly Lane (30), Warwick (55) – all West Midlands. Also runs an out-of-school club in Warwick andholiday clubat Lady Katherine Leveson C of E Primary School, Knowle.

Places: 209

Employees: 49

PINOCCHIO’S CHILDREN’S NURSERIES

Head office: School Green, Lasswade, Midlothian, EH18 1NB

Tel: 0131 654 2914

Email: katrina@pinocchios nursery.co.uk

Website: www.pinocchios nursery.co.uk

Owners/directors: Stratos Koulis, Lewissa Koulis

Operational director: Katrina Weir

Established: 1997

Owns 5 nurseries: Edinburgh 1 (48), Edinburgh 2 (55); Eskbank (81), Lasswade (67), Penicuik (53) – all in Midlothian

Places: 304

Employees: 90

PIXIELAND DAY NURSERIES

Head office: 10 Springfield Drive, Milehouse Road, Plymouth, PL3 4DU

Tel: 01752 511007

Email: info@pixielanddaynurseries.co.uk

Website: www.pixielanddaynurseries.co.uk

Proprietor: Caroline Francis

Established: 1984

Owns/manages 4 nurseries: Devonport, MoD (36); Plymouth: Mannamead (79), Milehouse (92) – all in Devon; Saltash, Cornwall (130)

Places: 337

Employees: 100

PORTICO DAY NURSERIES

Head office: Apartment 6, Claremont House, Ruff Lane, Ormskirk, Lancashire, L39 4UP

Tel: 01695 581545

Email: portico.nicole@me.com

Website: www.porticonurserygroup.co.uk

Directors: Nicole Politis, Craig Jackson

Established: 2002

Owns 6 nurseries: Aughton, Lancs (40); Eccleston Park, Merseyside (32); Moss Bank, Merseyside (50); Ormskirk, Lancs (44); St Helens, Merseyside (118); Thatto Heath, Merseyside (32). Also runs 2 after-school clubsin Ormskirk and St Helens.

Places: 319

Employees: 72

PORTLAND NURSERIES

Head office: Oakwood House, 2 Hungerford Road, Edgerton, Huddersfield, HD3 3AL

Tel: 01484 533322

Email: info@portlandnurseries.co.uk

Website: www.portlandnurseries.co.uk

Directors: Anastasia Murphy, Michael Murphy

Established: 1991

Owns 6 nurseries: Huddersfield, W. Yorks: Harlequin Nursery, Edgerton 1 (31), Holly Bank Nursery, Edgerton 2 (61), Oakwood House Nursery & Forest School, Edgerton 3 (101), Portland House, Lindley (98), Bradley House (59); Halifax, W. Yorks: Fairfield Nursery (62). 1 after-school club: Lindley (24)

Places: 412

Employees: 125

PREPCARE DAY NURSERIES

Head office: PO Box 5079, Rugby, CV21 9HR

Tel: 01788 537 035

Website: www.prepcaredaynurseries.co.uk

Chairman and founder: Richard Phillips

Established: 2006

Owns 5 nurseries: Arnold Lodge, Leamington Spa, Warks (55); Birchfield, Wolverhampton (55); Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk (55); Moreton Hall, Rugby, Warks (50); Oswestry, Shropshire (65)

Places: 280

PUFFINS OF EXETER CHILDCARE CENTRES

Head office: 13 Mont le Grand, Heavitree, Exeter, Devon, EX1 2PD

Tel: 01392 496017

Email: enquiries@puffinsofexeter.com

Website: www.puffinsofexeter.co.uk

Managing directors: Maureen Gard, Rosalind Taylor, Gemma Rolstone, Gillian Fawcett

Established: 1990

Owns 5 nurseries: Exeter, Devon: Clystheath (60), Heavitree (40), St Leonards (56), Southernhay (70), Sowton (40). Plus apprenticeship courses. Runs 1 holiday club at Manston Terrace, Exeter (30)

Places: 266

Employees: 120

RAINBOW NURSERY

Head office: 14 Moss Way, Hillend Industrial Estate, Dalgety, Fife, KY11 9JS

Tel: 01383 821970

Email: rainbownursery2@btconnect.com

Website: www.rainbowchildcarefife.co.uk

Directors: Craig Skinner, Ian Skinner

Established: Acquired in 2010

Owns 3 nurseries: Dalgety Bay (89), Glenrothes (117), St Andrews (64) – all in Fife

Places: 270

Employees: 66

RASCALS DAY NURSERIES

Head office: 121a Circular Road, Belfast, N. Ireland, BT4 2GE

Tel: 028 9076 1333

Fax: 028 9076 9333

Email: reception@rascalsdaynurseries.com

Website: www.rascalsdaynurseries.com

Managing directors: Lynne D’Arcy, Roger D’Arcy

Established: 1988

Owns 6 nurseries: Belfast: Belfast East 1 (119), Belfast East 2 (50), Belfast North (100), Belfast South 1 (58), Belfast South 2 (140); Londonderry (50) – all in Ulster

Places: 499

Employees: 180

RHYMETIME NURSERY

Head office: Connolly Lodge, Berrywood Close, St Crispins, Northampton, NN5 4BW

Tel: 01604 586416

Email: michelle@nurseryheadoffice.com

Managing director: Michelle Harris

Established: 2000

Owns 8 nurseries: Corby (70), Kettering (64), Moulton (25), Northampton (96), Rushden (94), Woodleys Farm Day Nursery (40), Woodleys Park Day Nursery (72), Woodleys Village (40) – all in Northants

Places: 501

Employees: 70

ROSEDENE NURSERIES

Head office: 66a Hutton Lane, Guisborough, TS14 6QP

Tel: 0345 4500208

Email: enquiries@rosedenenurseries.co.uk

Website: www.rosedene nurseries.co.uk

Directors: Clare McCullagh, John McCullagh, Alice McCullagh

Established: 1993

Owns 10 nurseries: Easterside, Middlesbrough, N. Yorks (36); Egglescliffe, Stockton-on-Tees, Co. Durham (24); Guisborough, Redcar and Cleveland, N. Yorks (56); Hardwick, Stockton-on-Tees, Co. Durham (56); Hemlington Children’s Centre, Middlesbrough, N. Yorks (56); Northallerton, N. Yorks (60); Ormesby, Middlesbrough, N. Yorks (41); Redhill, Stockton-on-Tees, Co. Durham (72); Saltburn, Redcar and Cleveland (54); Sunrise, Stockton-on-Tees, Co. Durham (56). Also runs holiday clubs at: Easterside, Egglescliffe, Guisborough, Hemlington, Stockton-on-Tees, Saltburn and Ormesby, and out-of-school sessions at Easterside, Egglescliffe, Hemlington, Hardwick, Ormesby, Saltburn and Northallerton.

Places: 511

Employees: 140

ROSY APPLE CHILDCARE

Trades as Little Achievers Nurseries.

Head office: 23 Herschell Street, Preston, Lancashire, PR1 3QU

Tel: 01772 374913

Email: sharon@rosyapplechildcare.com

Website: www.rosyapplechildcare.com

Founder/owner: Sharon Alexander

Established: 2003

Owns 4 nurseries: Preston 1 (89), Preston 2 (72), Ramsgreave (75), Skelmersdale (71) – all in Lancs

Places: 307

Employees: 50+

SCHOOLHOUSE DAYCARE

Head office: 45 De La Beche Road, Sketty, Swansea, SA2 9EA

Tel: 01792 202900

Email: mail@schoolhouse-daycare.co.uk

Website: www.schoolhouse-daycare.co.uk

Established: 1998

Directors: Amanda Bennett, Kevin Bennett

Owns 3 nurseries: Bridgend (50); Swansea: Morriston (121), Sketty (118)

Places: 289

Employees: 95

SERENDIPITYS CHILDCARE SERVICES

Head office: 30-32 Nottingham Road, Bingham, Nottingham, NG13 8AT

Tel: 01949 836730

Email: enquiries@serendipitys.co.uk

Website: www.serendipitys.co.uk

Directors: Kelly and Matt Alls

Established: 1998

Owns 5 nurseries: Balderton (38), Bingham (95), Cotgrave (74), Newark (57) – all in Notts; Grantham, Lincs (40)

Places: 304

Employees: 130

SEYMOUR HOUSE DAY NURSERY SCHOOLS

Head office: 140 Broomfield Road, Chelmsford, Essex, CM1 1RN

Tel: 01245 213213

Email: amanda.fee@seymourhouse.co.uk (area head of operations)

Website: www.seymourhouse.co.uk

Directors: John Player, Julie Player, Jonathan Player

Established: 1988

Owns 11 nurseries: Basildon, Essex (34); Chelmsford, Essex: Broomfield Hospital (50), Broomfield Road (50), Lawn Lane (50), Springfield Road (50); Chesterwell, Essex (84); Colchester, Essex (51); Laindon, Essex (51); St Albans, Herts (66); Wickford, Essex (73); Witham, Essex (66)

Places: 625

Employees: 310

SHINE CHILDCARE

Head office: Sycamore Lodge, 7A Woodhouse Cliff, Woodhouse, Leeds, LS6 2HF

Tel: 0113 2784 362

Email: admin@shinechildcare.co.uk

Website: www.shinechildcare.co.uk

Managing director international: Graham Abbott

Managing director UK: Amika Abbott

Established: 2004

Owns 4 nurseries: Halifax, W. Yorks (125); Huddersfield, W. Yorks (142); Leeds, W. Yorks (163); Oldham, G. Manchester (150)

Places: 580

Employees: 150

Plans: Looking for opportunities to expand.

SHOOTING STARS NURSERIES

Head office: The Coach House, Old Burcot Lane, Burcot, Bromsgrove, B60 1PH

Email: john@myshootingstars.com

Website: www.myshootingstars.com

Director: Jon Higgins

Area manager: Tracy Hedges

Established: 2009

Owns 6 nurseries: Bromsgrove, Worcs (81); Hinckley, Leics (78); Kings Norton, W. Mids (93); Stourbridge, W. Mids (59); Wolverhampton, W. Mids (86); Worcester, Worcs (91)

Places: 488

Employees: 230

SNAPDRAGONS NURSERIES

Head office: Prospect Farm, 43 Bath Road, Atworth, Melksham, Wiltshire, SN12 8JW

Tel: 01225 707009

Email: atworth@snapdragonsnursery.com

Website: www.snapdragonsnursery.com

Directors: Paul Collard, Rosemary Collard, James Collard, Jennifer Biddel, Sophie Collard

Established: 1998

Owns 10 nurseries: Atworth (50), Broadwood (70), Corsham (100) – all in Wilts; Bath and North East Somerset: Grosvenor (70), Keynsham (176), Weston (164); Bristol: Horfield (124), Redland (250), Shirehampton (128); South Gloucestershire: Cribbs Causeway (185). 2 out-of-school clubs: Broadwood (16), Corsham (48)

Places: 1,317

Employees: 435

SOUTH HILLS NURSERY

Head office: Home Farm Road, Wilton, Wiltshire, SP2 8PJ

Tel: 01722 744971

Email: admin@southhillsschool.com

Website: www.southhillsschool.com

Directors: Andrew Proctor and Hilary Campbell Smith

Established: 1994

Owns 10 nurseries: Burcombe (24), Calne (42), Corsham (60), Froxfield (40), Great Cheverell (34), Salisbury 1 (70), Salisbury 2 (60), St Peter’s (30), Trinity (28), Wilton (150) – all in Wilts

Places: 422

Employees: 100+

SPRING

In 2017, Action for Children’s nurseries started operating under the brand Spring.

Head office: 3 The Boulevard, Ascot Road, Watford, WD18 8AG

Tel: 01923 361500

Website: www.actionforchildren.org.uk; www.springnurseries.co.uk

Interim chief executive: Melanie Armstrong

Deputy chief executive and managing director of children’s services: Carol Iddon

Commercial director: Emma Horne

Director of early years and childcare: Joanne French

Established: 1869

Owns/manages 29 nurseries: Braintree 1, Essex (49), Braintree 2 (37), Braintree 3 (54); Cosford, Wolverhampton (100); Exeter, Devon (46); Gateshead 1, Tyne and Wear (54), Gateshead 2 (76), Gateshead 3 (36), Howdon, North Tyneside (50); Kinloss, Morayshire (100); Erith, Kent (34); Norfolk 1, E. Anglia (62), Norfolk 2 (56); RAF Benson, Oxon (79); RAF Boscombe Down, Wilts (66); RAF Halton, Bucks (54); RAF Honington, Suffolk (92); RAF Scampton, Lincs (88); RAF Shawbury, Shropshire (60); RAF Valley, Anglesey (68); RAF Waddington, Lincs (98); RAF Wittering, Cambs (75); RAF Wyton, Cambs (78); Sandwich, Kent (80); Somerset 1 (32), Somerset 2 (50), Somerset 3 (45), Somerset 4 (36); Stockton-on-Tees, Co. Durham (48). Also owns 27 out-of-school clubs and 17 holiday clubs, including 23 locations operating under the brand Spring Oscars.

Places: 1,803

Employees: 683

STEPPING STONES NURSERIES

Previously known as Little Acorns Group.

Head office: Lingley Mere Business Park, Warrington, Cheshire, WA5 3UZ

Tel: 01925 232202

Email: enquiries@steppingstonesgroup.com

Website: www.steppingstonesgroup.com

Managing director: Neil Ritchie

Established: 1992

Operates 8 nurseries: Gomersal, W. Yorks (48); Manchester (65); Worsley, G. Manchester (47); Mirfield, W. Yorks (62); Rothwell, Leeds, W. Yorks (43); Warrington 1, Cheshire (120), Warrington 2 (48); Washington, Tyne and Wear (98)

Places: 531

Employees: 150

Plans: Investment being made to indoor and outdoor resources across all nurseries.

ST GEORGE’S NURSERY

Head office: 2 Grace Road, Leicester, LE2 8AD

Tel: 01162 290023

Email: enquiries@stgeorgesnursery.com

Website: www.stgeorgesnursery.com

Directors: Birju Ghelani, Jaimie Ghelani, Shalin Ghelani, Shainee Ghelani

Established: 1994

Owns 6 nurseries: Aylestone (94), Enderby (84), Meridian (80), Narborough (60), Oadby (85) – all in Leics; Sherwood, Notts (86)

Places: 489

Employees: 100+

STORAL

Head office: 111 Baker Street, Paddington Central, London, W1U 6RR

Website: www.storal.com

Email: info@storal.com

Chief executive officer: Sarah Mackenzie

Chief financial officer: Varun Chanrai

Chief strategy officer: Ashwin Grover

Established: 2016

Owns/manages 29 nurseries: Ashby-de-la-Zouch 1, Leics (42), Ashby-de-la-Zouch 2 (47); Banbury, Oxon (93); Basingstoke, Hants (71); Blandford Forum, Dorset (90); Brentwood, Essex (70); Brighton, E. Sussex (66); Bristol (81); Clacton-on-Sea, Essex (223); Edgbaston, Birmingham, W. Mids (66); Gravesend, Kent (80); Lincoln, Lincs (100); Maidstone 1, Kent (34), Maidstone 2 (45); Manchester, G. Manchester 1 (100), Manchester 2 (123); Portishead, Somerset (69); Romford, Essex (118); Salisbury, Wilts (70); Sittingbourne, Kent (61); Steeple Langford, Wilts (72); Urmston, G. Manchester (86); Warminster, Wilts (69); Warrington, Cheshire (84); Whitwick, Leics (92); Widnes, Cheshire (82); Winchester, Hants (73); Woodville, Derbs 1 (115), Woodville 2 (38)

Places: 2,360

Employees: Approx. 700

TENDERLINKS DAY NURSERY GROUP

Head office: Lampard Investments, 122 Hill House, 210 Upper Richmond Road, London, SW15 6NP

Tel: 07940 391 682

Email: fkhaki@lampardinvestments.com

Website: www.tenderlinksdaynursery.co.uk

Managing directors: Farouq Khaki, Sanjeev Mall

Established: 2006

Owns 5 nurseries: Godalming, Surrey (32); Elstead, Surrey (34); London: Norbury (19), Streatham (38), Wandsworth (26)

Places: 149

Employees: 40

THRIVE CHILDCARE AND EDUCATION

Head office: Newfield House, 1 New Street, Musselburgh, Edinburgh, EH21 6HY

Tel: 0800 111 4954 (sales line)

Email: enquiries@thrivechildcare.com

Website: www.thrivechildcare.com

Private equity backed: Apiary Capital LLP

Chief executive: Cary Rankin

Chief financial officer: Will Newton

Group operations director: Laura Fortune

Head of finance: Claire Allen

Head of sales and marketing: Shona Maclean

Head of early years: Ursula Krystek-Walton

Head of property and H&S: Cheryl Darroch

Established: 2007

Owns 48 nurseries: Aberdeenshire 1 (58), Aberdeenshire 2 (64), Aberdeenshire 3 (63); Alsager 1, Cheshire (74), Alsager 2 (65); Bishopbriggs, E. Dunbartonshire (71); Castleton, Lancs (80); Chester 1, Cheshire (130), Chester 2 (113); Congleton, Essex (64); Crewe, Cheshire (80); Culcheth, Cheshire (80); Cumbernauld, N. Lanarkshire (87); Dundee 1 (114); Edinburgh 1 (58), Edinburgh 2 (104), Edinburgh 3 (69), Edinburgh 4 (100); Falkirk 1, Stirlingshire (73), Falkirk 2 (74); Frodsham, Cheshire (92); Glasgow: Ballieston (79), Erskine (70), Garrowhill (61), Glasgow Airport (91), Greenock (77), Inverkip (62), Kirkintilloch (80), Robroyston (81), Thornliebank (103); Knutsford, Cheshire (70); Leyland, Lancs (68); Liverpool Princes Dock, Merseyside (100); Manchester: Salford 1 (63), Salford 2 (79), Salford 3 (134), Shaw (83), Swinton (140), Trafford (138), University of Manchester (86), Wigan (100); Perth, Perthshire (80); Prestwich, Lancs (89); Pudsey, W. Yorks (47); South Lanarkshire College (75); Stirling, Stirlingshire (88); Warrington, Cheshire (102); Wistaston, Cheshire (95). Plus 6 out-of-school clubs, 6 holiday clubs and 1 crèche.

Places: 4,054

Employees: Approx. 1,300

TIDDLYWINKS DAY NURSERY

Head office: 6 Manchester Old Road, Bury, BL9 0TB

Tel: 0161 764 1265

Email: info@tiddlywinks nursery.com

Website: www.tiddlywinksnursery.com

Managing director: Imelda Mihell

Operational director: David Mihell

Financial director: Ashley Mihell

Established: 1994

Owns 7 nurseries: Ancoats (72), Blackley (62), Bury (108), Clayton (70), Crumpsall (78), Higher Blackley (72), Walmersley (130) – all in G. Manchester 5 out-of-school clubs: Blackley, Clayton, Higher Blackley, Middleton, Walmersley

Places: 592

Employees: 138

TINY TOEZ

Head office: Bredon House, Suite G3, 321 Tettenhall Road, Wolverhampton, WV6 0JZ

Tel: Contact each nursery directly

Email: admin@tinytoez.com

Website: www.tinytoez.com

Directors: Ranjana Mair, Kamal Mair

Established: 2004

Owns 12 nurseries: Coventry, W. Mids (36); Feltham, London (116); Sandwell, W. Mids (66); Staffs: Biddulph (72), Cannock Chase (83), East Staffs (60), Newcastle-under-Lyme (98), Stoke-on Trent 1 (58), Stoke-on-Trent 2 (62), Stoke-on-Trent 3 (57), Tamworth (92); Stourport, Worcs (41)

Places: 841

Employees: 237

TNB GARRISON EARLY YEARS & PLAY

Head office: 1-2 St Andrews Road, Tidworth, SP9 7EP

Tel: 01980 633962

Email: finance@tnbearlyyears.org

Website: www.tnbearlyyears.org

Executive co-ordinator: Sarah Hawkins

Finance and office manager: Alison Mellor

Established: 2000

Manages 7 nurseries: Bulford 1 (55), Bulford 2 (64), Larkhill (51), Tidworth 1 (69), Tidworth 2 (54), Tidworth 3 (49), Tidworth 4 (60) – all in Wilts. Also runs 1 after-school and holiday club in Tidworth.

Places: 402

Employees: 135

TOAD HALL NURSERY GROUP

Head office: Glover Centre, 23-25 Bury Mead Road, Hitchin, SG5 1RT

Tel: 01462 427020

Email: headoffice@toadhall-nursery.co.uk

Website: www.toadhall-nursery.co.uk

Co-managing directors: Claire French, Gail Tanner

Established: 1998

Owns12 nurseries: Berks: Langley (101), Winnersh (72); Herts: Berkhamsted (77), Hitchin (126), Watford (100); Surrey: Chessington (76), Haslemere (73), Horley (99), Ottershaw (41), Walton-on-Thames (127), Woking (109); Northants: Wellingborough (75)

Places: 1,076

Employees: 360

Plans: To increase the group.

TODDLETOWN AND TODDLEWORLD GROUP

Head office: 14 Kingsway, London, SW14 7HS

Tel: 07966 396187

Email: hello@toddletownnursery.co.uk; enquiries@toddleworld.co.uk

Commercial and operations director: Eamonn O’Connor

Director of compliance and regulations: Urvashi O’Connor

Director of childcare: John Warren

HR and marketing director: Sophie Haylock

Established: 2013

Owns 3 nurseries under Toddletown: Chandler’s Ford, Hants (75); Godalming, Surrey (51); Farnham, Surrey (88). Operates 1 nursery under Toddleworld: Twickenham, London (85)

Places: 299

Employees: 120

Plans: Continue organic growth.

TOMMIES CHILDCARE

Head office: Four Brooks Nursery & Pre-school, Parkville Highway, Coventry, CV6 4HZ

Tel: 01676 540244

Website: www.tommieschildcare.co.uk

Directors: Caroline Fooks (chief executive), Matt Fooks (finance director), Danielle Butler (operations director), Kelly Andrews (area manager)

Established: 1998

Owns 8 nurseries: Birmingham, W. Mids (60); Coventry 1, W. Mids (61), Coventry 2 (108), Coventry 3 (39); Derby, Derbs (78); Kenilworth, Warks (32); Nuneaton 1, Warks (34), Nuneaton 2 (28)

Places: 440

Employees: 115

Plans: To open a 70-place setting in Solihull, W. Mids, in April 2024.

TOPS DAY NURSERIES

Head office: 3 Wollaston Road, Southbourne, Bournemouth, Dorset, BH6 4AR

Tel: 01202 551553

Email: admin@topsdaynurseries.co.uk

Website: www.topsdaynurseries.co.uk

Ofsted nominated individual: Paula Phillips

Directors: Cheryl Hadland, Charlotte Percival, Andrew Dearsley, Harriet Pacey, Micah Faure, Dr Sam King, Diane Wycherley

Established: 1990

Owns 33 nurseries: Babbacombe, Devon (50); Bournemouth, Bearwood (55), Bournemouth, Royal Bournemouth Hospital (131), Christchurch (77), Corfe Mullen (86), Gillingham 1 (96), Gillingham 2 (36), Parkstone (56), Pokesdown (135), Poole (132), Wareham (47), Wimborne (80) – all in Dorset; Hants: Fawley (67), Havant (54), Lymington 1 (100), Lymington 2 (40), Muscliff (59), Portsmouth 1, Queen Alexandra Hospital (115), Portsmouth 2 (92), Portsmouth 3 (78), Portsmouth 4 (35), Winchester, Royal Hampshire County Hospital (61); Newport, Isle of Wight – IoW College (92); Plymouth 1, Devon (42), Plymouth 2 (53), Plymouth 3 (53), Plymouth 4 (68), Plymouth 5 (122); Salisbury, Wilts (104); Taunton 1, Somerset (36), Taunton 2, Musgrove Park Hospital (122); Yeovil 1, S. Somerset (56), Yeovil 2 (40). Crèche opportunities available. Also provides training.

Places: 2,470

Employees: 844

TORRIDON EDUCATION GROUP

Head office: East Beech Nursery School, 1 Queen’s Lane, Lossiemouth, IV31 6DR

Tel: 01343 810091

Email: eastbeechnurseryschool@outlook.com

Managing director: Sharon Hayward

Operations manager: Lauren Hayward

Established: 1994

Owns 4 nurseries: Elgin 1 (54), Elgin 2 (34), Lossiemouth 1 (44), Lossiemouth 2 (34) – all in Moray. Also runs a holiday club.

Places: 166

TWIZZLE TOPS DAY NURSERY

Head office: Marsh Farm Road, South Woodham Ferrers, Essex, CM3 5WP

Tel: 08450 345123

Email: katie.franklin@twizzletops.co.uk

Website: www.twizzletops.co.uk

CEO: James Sinclair

Managing director: Katie Franklin

Established: 2009

Owns 8 nurseries: Cambridge, Cambs (66); Ipswich, Suffolk (50); Marsh Farm, Essex (113); Southchurch, Southend-on-Sea, Essex (71); Stevenage, Herts (50); Thurrock, Essex (58); Wat Tyler, Essex (71); Wembley, London (42)

Places: 521

Employees: 200

WIND IN THE WILLOWS CHILD CARE

Head office: Ronald Ross Avenue, Bootle, Sefton, Merseyside, L30 5RH

Tel: 0151 521 1555

Website: www.witwchildcare.co.uk

Directors: Ginnyand Neil Taylor

Established: 1993

Owns 3 nurseries: Sefton, Merseyside (70); Warrington, Cheshire: Longbarn (26), Woolston (100)

Places: 196

Employees: 40

WISE OWLS CHILDCARE

Head office: Unit 2, Thimble Farm, Stud Green, Holyport, Maidenhead, SL6 2JH

Tel: 01628 620013

Email: info@wiseowlschildcare.co.uk

Website: www.wiseowlschildcare.co.uk

Owner: Tanya Galitzine

Operations director: Laura Hughes

Established: 2000

Owns 3 nurseries and pre-schools: Maidenhead, Berks (30); Reading 1, Berks (40), Reading 2 (60). Also runs 2 breakfast clubs, 3 after-school clubs and 1 holiday club.

Places: 130

Employees: 98

WOODBERRY DAY NURSERY GROUP

Head office: Threefield House, Threefield Lane, Southampton, SO14 3LP

Tel: 02382 021451

Email: accounts@woodberrynursery.co.uk

Website: www.woodberrynursery.co.uk

Directors: Kathy Beauchamp, Shane Beauchamp, Kelly Sampson, Richard Beauchamp

Established: 2008

Owns 4 nurseries: Southampton 1 (68), Southampton 2 (75), Southampton 3 (65), Waterlooville (78) – all in Hants

Places: 286

Employees: 55

Plans: Expansion.

WOODLAND HOUSE GROUP OF NURSERIES*

Head office: Bellway House, 7 Worcester Road, Bromsgrove, Worcestershire B61 7DL

Tel: 01527 908006

Email: enquiries@woodlandhousegroup.co.uk

Website: www.woodlandhousegroup.co.uk

Director: Glenis Keenan

Established: 1993

Owns 4 nurseries: Hanbury (100), Dodford (44), Redditch (91), Beoley (32) – all in Worcestershire

Places: 267

Employees: 107

YMCA

A federation of local YMCAs

Website: www.ymca.org.uk

Owns 65 nurseries and pre-schools: 8 in Brunel YMCA (previously Bath) (347); 9 in YMCA Black Country Group (473); 1 in Bournemouth YMCA (65); 2 in YMCA Derbyshire (152); 6 in YMCA Dulverton (previously Somerset Coast) (360); 2 in YMCA East Surrey (75); 1 in YMCA Essex (60); 7 in YMCA Fairthorne Group (677); 1 in YMCA Hastings and Rother (30); 3 in YMCA Lincolnshire (128); 2 in YMCA Maidstone (60); 1 in YMCA Norfolk (90); 1 in YMCA North Tyneside (65); 1 in One YMCA (94); 1 in YMCA Reading (36); 1 in YMCA Robin Hood Group (92); 1 in YMCA South Devon (70); 2 in YMCA St Paul’s Group (75); 1 in YMCA St Helens (64); 1 in YMCA Taunton (40); 3 in YMCA Thames Gateway (106); 1 in YMCA Together (Formerly Liverpool and Sefton) (52); 4 in YMCA Trinity Group (190); 5 in YMCA Worcestershire (277). Also owns out-of-school and holiday clubs across the UK.

Places: 3,678

Employees: 845

What the directory covers

This list includes details of all the private, voluntary and independent chains of nurseries, kindergartens, playgroups and crèches known to Nursery World. Under the term ‘chain’, we have included groups with at least three nurseries up and running.
While we have tried to be comprehensive, we may have omitted some chains not known to us. If your chain is not in our listing, please contact us at nurserychains@markallengroup.com and we can include you in the next edition of Nursery Chains, due out in spring 2025.
Individual nurseries have not usually been named. Figures after each nursery’s location denote the number of places it is registered for. The number of employees includes full-time and part-time staff unless otherwise stated. Nurseries are listed alphabetically by location.
‘Places’ denotes the total number of registered nursery places. This does not include nursery classes in schools, out-of-school care or holiday places, but does include crèche provision and places in any nurseries that are owned and managed by each group.
The information in each entry reflects the state of play at the end of November 2023.

* Denotes entries that are new for this issue of Nursery Chains

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