Nursery groups' bumper summer of growth continues

Summer 2016 has been a busy one for buying and selling in the sector.

Kiddi Caru has opened a new setting this week, Matford Park Day Nursery in Exeter.

The first pupils were welcomed into a custom-designed space, complete with garden, glass-fronted baby balcony, parent room and state-of-the-art sensory room.

The children are being cared for by a team of 14 experienced staff and an on-site chef, who prepares home-cooked food every day.

Amanda Vardy, nursery manager, said, ‘The last few weeks have been quite hectic but it’s brilliant to now be open and welcoming in local families.

‘The response we have had has been amazing; everyone loves the bright and spacious feel of the nursery and the fact that everything here has been designed with children in mind.

‘The outdoor space is as well-resourced as all of the playrooms and has been created for all year round use – with some fantastic features including a mud kitchen, tepee and fire pit area.’

Busy Bees has acquired The Teddy Bear Club children’s nursery, a childcare provider situated within the grounds of Ninewells Hospital in Dundee.

The nursery offers 92 places to children aged between three months and five years, employing around 40 staff.

Angela Gatford, who founded The Teddy Bear Club Nursery in 1998, said, ‘It was with some sadness, that I came to the major business decision to sell.

‘I am very proud of the nursery’s constant excellent reputation, which is down to the hard working management and staff over the past years.

'I am very happy that all the present staff will be remaining, to continue to care for the children to the highest of standards. I would like to pass on my thanks to all my staff and parents past and present for all their loyalty over the years. I am positive that the staff and children will benefit from the new investment and experience that Busy Bees will bring with them, and wish them all, every success.’

Marg Randles, managing director of Busy Bees, said, ‘We are delighted to welcome The Teddy Bear Club into the Busy Bees family. The nursery has a fantastic reputation for providing quality childcare in Dundee and we can’t wait to start working with such an exceptional team.’

‘We will be working very closely with the management team to make this transition as seamless as possible for everyone involved.

‘We will ensure that our parents are kept up-to date throughout the transition process, as we continue to improve the excellent care, resources and services The Teddy Bear Club currently provides.’

Meanwhile, a new London group is also emerging.

This week also saw the sale of Little Muffins Day Nursery in Hammersmith, West London. ICP nurseries, a London-based investment company, has purchased the business and is looking to rapidly expand into the childcare sector.

Company director Tracey Storey has previously been a director at Leapfrog Day Nurseries and Happy Child.

Ms Storey owns Nature Nurture Nurseries, which currently has one setting in London, Sunrise Day Nursery. The curriculum at Sunrise builds on the early years foundation stage framework using the Forest School principles.

Sophie Wilcox from Christie & Co, who brokered the sale said, ‘We saw a high level of interest in Little Muffins when it came to the market, due to the prime central location and the effective operating capacity of the setting.'

‘The nursery has an excellent reputation locally, and has seen placement enquiries increasing week by week, making it an attractive proposition for both operators and investors.’