Set up in 2004, Just Childcare has grown to become one of the largest groups in the UK with 62 nurseries.
Phoenix Equity Partners confirmed that it has sold Just Childcare to Partou, the largest nursery group in the Netherlands. Financial terms of the transaction have not been disclosed.
With investment from Phoenix Equity Partners, the group has grown from seven settings in 2014 to 62 settings, with sites across the North West, Yorkshire and South West.
Just Childcare now provides more than 4,700 early years places and employs around 1,300 staff.
In the Spring 2021 issue of Nursery World's Nursery Chains, the group was listed as the fifth largest group in the UK with 60 settings. Last month it added two more nurseries to its portfolio.
On its website, Partou states that it is the 'biggest childcare organisation in the Netherlands'. The group is solely based in the Netherlands and owns around 700 nurseries caring for 63,000 children with around 9,000 staff. It was set up in 1984.
Just Childcare said that ‘the new partnership’ with the Dutch group Partou would provide strategic support for the group to continue its growth in the UK. It will continue to be known as Just Childcare.
David Johnson, CEO at Just Childcare, said, ‘We are absolutely delighted to have secured this new partnership with Partou. With long established experience in the provision of childcare we are looking forward to working alongside them to further develop the Just Childcare group in the UK market”
‘Phoenix have been a great supporter over the past six years providing us with the resources and support needed to substantially grow the group into one of the most acknowledged providers in the UK.
'The new partnership with Partou is the start of the next chapter in the company’s development and we are really excited for the future.
‘Having known the team at Partou for some time and spoken extensively, it is clear we share the same ethos when it comes to childcare and we’re all excited to explore the opportunities that our combined knowledge and experience will bring.’
Barry Robinson, Partner at Phoenix, said, 'We are delighted to have been able to support David and Jaqueline on their journey to create one of the country’s leading nursery operators. Just Childcare has experienced fantastic growth and, with the support of Partou, it is well-positioned to continue to fulfil its mission to deliver outstanding early years childcare in the UK. We wish the team all the best for the future.'
Commenting on the agreement, Jeanine Lemmens, CEO of Partou said, ‘We are equally excited about this partnership and admire what David, Jacqueline and the entire Just Childcare team have achieved over the years.
'This collaboration indeed marks a new chapter, in our ambition to provide outstanding childcare to more children and families. Just Childcare and Partou share the same, simple quality principal: "all children deserve nothing but the best."'
