Nursery World - Business Development - A model for healthy living

A private healthcare provider is expanding its reach into the
childcare market with fitness-focused nurseries. Hannah Crown takes a look at its offering

Nuffield Health may be best known as a chain of private hospitals, but it now boasts 12 nurseries attached to its gyms.

Swimming lessons, circuit training for the under-fives and, from September, a mini health MOT are all on offer for the children of health-conscious parents.

The not-for-profit healthcare company, which has 75 gyms, 36 private hospitals and 200 corporate fitness clubs across the UK, opts to run its own nurseries (in contrast to David Lloyd Leisure, whose nurseries are run by Asquith Nurseries).

According to Sam Othen, national children's services manager, Nuffield's first nursery was created in 2008 as a planning permission requirement, and demand led to the Nuffy Bear brand being launched in 2012. 'Members took their fitness very seriously and wanted the same for their children,' she says.

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