NURSERY CHAINS 2025: People & places

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 18 nurseries: Beds: Sharnbrook (62); Milton Keynes: Bletchley (54), Castlethorpe (36), CMK (48), Emberton (37), Fishermead (82), Fullers Slade (46), Kents Hill (60), Netherfield (38), New Bradwell (33), Open University (52), Shenley Church End (48), Stony Stratford (40), Westcroft (91), Wolverton Mill (78); Northants: Brafield-on-the-Green (45), Burton Latimer (93), Stanwick (58). Also runs Forest Schools, out-of-school clubs, nature kindergartens, training and a consultancy

Places: 1,001

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 (136); Cardiff: Llandaff (80), Llanishen (90), Oakfield Street (49), Acorns House (130), 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: Acorns Action Pak (297).

Places: 953

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, uckinghamshire, MK2 2BU

Tel: 0800 699 0044

Email: enquiries@ashbournedaynurseries.com

Website: www.ashbournedaynurseries.com

Owner: Imran Mehdi

Managing director: Jo Turley

Operations director: Donna O'Malley

Established: 2008

Owns 40 nurseries: Alfreton, Derbs (87); Banbury, Oxon (57); Barking, Essex (39); Birmingham 1, W. Mids (98), Birmingham 2 (104); Bolton, G. Manchester (55); Bootle, Merseyside (68); Catterick, N. Yorks (80); Cheltenham, Glos (37); Cheshunt, Herts (88); Dagenham, London (52); Grantham, Lincs (56); Halifax, W. Yorks (63); Hertford, Herts (74); Hoddesdon, Herts (48); Houghton Regis, Beds (104); Leavesden, Herts (58); Leicester 1, Leics (150), Leicester 2 (36); Leighton Buzzard, Beds (45); Mawsley, Kettering, Northants (54); Milton Keynes 1, Bucks (67), Milton Keynes 2 (49), Milton Keynes 3 (107); New Ollerton, Notts (104); Northampton 1, Northants (68), Northampton 2 (120), Northampton 3 (60); Peterborough, Cambs (57); Preston, Lancs (55); Princes Risborough 1, Bucks (52), Princes Risborough 2 (24); Sandbach, Cheshire (68); Southam, Warks (51); St Albans, Herts (25); Stratford-upon-Avon, W. Mids (32); Swanbourne, Bucks (71); Warrington, Cheshire (50); Wellingborough, Northants (66); Wing, Bucks (57)

Places: 2,636

Employees: 500

ATHERTON HOUSE NURSERY GROUP

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

Tel: 0151 363 9911

Email: childcare@athertonhousegroup.co.uk

Website: www.athertonhousegroup.co.uk

Directors: Tim, Alice and George Apel

Established: 2001

Owns/manages 7 nurseries: Greater Manchester: Altrincham 1 (82), Altrincham 2 (45), Hale (60); Merseyside: Liverpool 1 (60), Liverpool 2 (84), Wirral (50); Warrington, Cheshire (72)

Places: 453

Employees: 160

Plans: Wraparound care at Altrincham Day Nursery from spring 2025 supporting local Altrincham schools

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, depending on building schedules

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 runs 3 children's centres and 2 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 (83) – all in E. Sussex

Places: 185

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: Whitton Church Lane, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP1 6LW

Tel: 01473 599038

Email: hello@bowsandarrowsgroup.co.uk

Website: www.bowsandarrowsgroup.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)

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 241 nurseries: Aberdeen 1 (53), Aberdeen 2 (51), Aberdeen 3 (67), Aberdeen 4 (99); Astley, G. Manchester (75); Aylesbury (91); Berks: Bracknell 1 (50), Bracknell 2 (96), Maidenhead (93), Reading (112), Sonning (169), Wokingham (83); Birmingham, W. Midlands (61); Bolton, Lancs (75); Bramingham, Beds (120); Bristol (56), Burgess Hill, W. Sussex 1 (64), Burgess Hill 2 (45), Burgess Hill 3 (26), Burgess Hill 4 (65); Cambridgeshire: Cambridge (99), Cambridge Science Park (148), Ely (120), Fulbourn (108); Cheshire: Timperley (88), Tytherington (90), Warrington 1 (123), Warrington 2 (108), Wilmslow (96); Crawley, W. Sussex (92); Edinburgh 1 (101), Edinburgh 2 (112), Edinburgh 3 (68), Edinburgh 4 (59), Edinburgh 5 (65); Essex: Basildon (83), Brentwood (110), Chelmsford (80), Chigwell (98), Colchester (108), Epping (92), Loughton (56), Saffron Walden (79), Shenfield (108), Woodford Green (60); Glasgow (113); Hants: Andover 1 (75), Andover 2 (40), Basingstoke 1 (108), Basingstoke 2 (102), Chandlers Ford (64), Chilworth (64), Church Crookham (80), 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), Winchester (75); Haywards Heath, W. Sussex (57); Herts: Bishop's Stortford (108), 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 (56), Petts Wood (68), Swanscombe (144), Tonbridge (70), Tunbridge Wells 1 (40), Tunbridge Wells 2 (68), Wilmington (97); Leeds, Yorks (69); Lichfield, Staffs (119); Liverpool, Merseyside (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 (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), Kenton (88), Kew (66), Kingston 1 (73), Kingston 2 (98), Kingston 3 (99), Lewisham (63), Mount Vernon (124), Muswell Hill 1 (97), Muswell Hill 2 (82), New Eltham (120), New Southgate (58), North Cheam (80), North Finchley (96), Notting Hill (79), Palmers Green (64), Peckham Rye (73), Pinner 1 (87), Pinner 2 (67), Purley (96), Putney (62), Raynes Park (62), Regents Park (75), Richmond 1 (71), Richmond 2 (84), Shepherd's Bush (86), 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), 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 (99), Manchester 3 (70); Milton Keynes: Wavendon (65), Moortown, Yorks (56); Northampton, Northants (58); Nottingham, Notts (83); Oxon: Abingdon 1 (114), Abingdon 2 (130), Didcot 1 (112), Didcot 2 (92), Poole, Dorset (42); 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), Epsom (124), Farnham 1 (92), Farnham 2 (97), Frimley Green (81), Guildford (94), 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: 20,247

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 (67); Lower Quinton, Warks (43); Northfield, Birmingham (66); Studley, Warks (78). Runs 4 out-of-school clubs: Crabbs Cross (24), Matchborough (24) – both Worcs; Studley St Mary's, Warks (24); Birmingham (24). Also runs a training and consultancy service

Places: 444

Employees: 126

Plans: Expanding the Lower Quinton site to 72 places in 2025 and opening an after-school club.

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 and co-founder: Amol Devani

Co-founder: Rupeen Popat

Operations director: Mandy Guttadauro

Finance director: Pintu Varsani

Other directors: Kelly Dunn, Nicola Freeman

Established: 2013

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: info@brightsparksdaynurseries.co.uk

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

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

Executive chairman: Stephen Booty

Chief financial officer: Lisa Barter

Established: 2016

Owns 114 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: Aberdeen (108); 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); Bracknell, Berks (53); Bristol 1 (101), Bristol 2 (78); Broxburn, West Lothian (110); Burwell, Cambs (64); Bury St Edmunds (63); Cambridge, Cambs (131); Carmodean, Livingston (89); Chester (102); Chorley, Lancs (97); Clydebank 1, West Dunbartonshire (30), Clydebank 2 (87); Colchester 1, Essex (120), Colchester 2 (37), Colchester 3 (68); Dunblane, Perthshire (107); Edinburgh 1 (105), Edinburgh 2 (69), Edinburgh 3 (70); Emsworth, Hants (39); Frome, Somerset (80); Glasgow 1 (176), Glasgow 2 (98), Glasgow 3 (45), Glasgow 4 (114), Glasgow 5 (140); Godalming, Surrey (72); Guildford, Surrey (54); Haddington 1, E. Lothian (60), Haddington 2 (56), Haddington 3 (94); Hamilton (89); Hatfield Heath, Herts (53); Houston, Johnstone (92); Hungerford, Berks (84); Huntingdon 1, Cambs (60), Huntingdon 2 (86); Laindon, Essex (70); Leamington Spa 1, Warks (69), Leamington Spa 2 (49); Leeds (94); Littlehampton, W. Sussex (60); 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 (54), Norwich 2 (92), Norwich 3 (83); 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); Southampton, Hants (80); St Albans, Herts (70); St Ives, Cambs (80); Stonehaven 1, Aberdeenshire (90), Stonehaven 2 (133); Stratton, Norfolk (20); 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); Westbourne, Hants (30); Weybridge, Surrey (75); Wilmslow (96); Whitchurch, Hants (123); Windsor, Berks (85); Worthing, Sussex (52).

Plus 6 settings in the Republic of Ireland

Places: 7,392 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:1 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 3 nurseries: Ashton-in-Makerfield (121), Hindley 1 (89), Hindley 2 (134) – all in Lancs

Places: 344

Employees: 80

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: Cheryl Creaser, Matthew Muller, Matthew Davies, Simon Irons

Established: 1983

Owns and manages 357 nurseries: Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire (170); Addlestone, Surrey (113); Alderley, Wolverhampton (100); Andover, Hants 1 (36), Andover 2 (72); Apsley, Herts (100); Ashbourne, Derbs (81); Ashford 1, Kent (90), Ashford 2 (108), Ashford 3 (110); Ayrshire (72); Barlborough, Derbs (90); Basingstoke 1, Hants (98), Basingstoke 2 (150), Basingstoke 3 (100); Bedford 1, Beds (111), Bedford 2 (112), Bedford 3 (82); Belper 1, Derbs (90), Belper 2 (100); Beverley, E. Yorks (108); Bicester 1, Oxon (108), Bicester 2 (110); Biggleswade 1, Beds (109), Biggleswade 2 (144); Birlingham, Worcs (61); Birmingham 1, W. Mids (95), Birmingham 2 (78), Birmingham 3 (64), Birmingham 4, Queen Elizabeth Hospital (141), Birmingham 5 (116); Bishops Stortford 1, Herts (74), Bishops Stortford 2 (73); Braintree 1, Essex (100), Braintree 2 (104); Bridgend, Mid Glamorgan (108); Brighton, E. Sussex (94); Bristol: Barrs Court (112), Bradley Stoke (92), Emersons Green (108), Portishead (118), Stoke Gifford (126); Bromborough, Wirral (105); Bromsgrove, Warks (86); Brough, E. Yorks (108); Burchetts Green, Berks (85); Burntwood, Staffs (152); Burton, Staffs (108); Bury St Edmunds, West Suffolk Hospital (84); Camberley, Surrey (89); Cambridge (130); Canterbury, Kent (83); Cardiff (100); Carshalton Beeches, Surrey (119); Chafford Hundred 1, Essex (97), Chafford Hundred 2 (101); Chatham, Kent (78); Cheadle 1, Cheshire (116), Cheadle 2 (67); Cheam 1, Surrey (88), Cheam 2 (91), Cheam 3 (78), Cheam 4 (46); Chelmsford 1, Essex (164), Chelmsford 2 (98); Cheltenham 1, Glos (61), Cheltenham 2 (90); Chester, Cheshire (77); Chichester, Hants (92); Chippenham, Wilts (115); Chislehurst, Kent (104); Chorley, Lancs (121); Colchester 1, Essex (85), Colchester 2 (103); Corby 1, Northants (94), Corby 2 (120); Coventry 1, Walsgrave Hospital, Warks (125), Coventry 2 (58); Crawley, W. Sussex (132); Darlington 1, Co. Durham (88), Darlington 2 (108), Darlington 3 (92); Daventry, Northants (97); Derby 1, Derbs (175), Derby 2 (141), Derby 3 (58), Derby 4 (65), Derby 5 (84); Dorking 1, Surrey (44), Dorking 2 (50); Droitwich Spa, W. Mids (89); Dudley, W. Midlands (96); Dundee (94), Dunfermline 1, Fife (108), Dunfermline 2 (100); Durham, Co. Durham (111); Eastbourne, E. Sussex (100); East Grinstead (88); East Keswick, W. Yorks (120); East Kilbride, S. Lanarkshire (86); East Malling, Kent (84); Edinburgh 1 (88), Edinburgh 2 (55), Edinburgh 3 (85), Edinburgh 4 (132), Edinburgh 5 (58), Edinburgh 6 (93), Egham, Surrey (97); Ely, E. Cambs (78); Epsom, Surrey (78); Evesham, Worcs (110); Farnborough, Hants (99); Formby, Merseyside (70); Gateshead 1, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Tyne and Wear (116), Gateshead 2 (108); Gillingham 1, Kent (100), Gillingham 2 (122); Glasgow 1 (77), Glasgow 2 (101), Glasgow 3 (127); Glenrothes, Fife (95); Gloucester, Glos (54); Godalming, Surrey (135); Gravesend, Essex (148); Great Yarmouth, Norfolk (71); Guildford 1, Surrey (110), Guildford 2 (81), Guildford 3 (78); Harlow, Essex (98); Harpenden 1, Herts (90), Harpenden 2 (55); Harrogate 1, N. Yorks (60), Harrogate 2 (146), Harrogate 3 (86), Harrogate 4 (52); Haslemere, Surrey (62); Haywards Heath, W. Sussex (77); Hempstead, Kent (76); Hertford, Herts (54); Hexham, Northumberland (87); High Wycombe, Bucks 1 (99), High Wycombe 2 (85); Holmes Chapel, Cheshire (105); Horsham, W. Sussex (129); Hove, E. Sussex (74); Huntingdon, Cambs (100); Ingleby Barwick, S. Yorks (101); Inverness (80); Ipswich 1, Suffolk (103), Ipswich 2 (112); Jersey 1 (59), Jersey 2 (69), Jersey 3 (100); Kettering 1, Northants (112), Kettering 2 (104); Lancaster, Lancs (125); Leamington Spa, Warks (138); Leeds 1, W. Yorks (159), Leeds 2 (55), Leeds 3 (100), Leeds 4 (131), Leeds 5 (57), Leeds 6 (92), Leeds 7 (67); Leicester 1, Leics (110), Leicester 2 (60), Leicester 3 (88), Leicester 4 (54), Leicester 5 (130), Leicester 6 (52), Leicester 7 (54), Leicester 8 (68), Leicester 9 (59); Letchworth, Herts (141); Lewes, E. Sussex (58); Lichfield, Staffs (104); Lightwater, Surrey (50); Liverpool, Merseyside (55); Livingston, W. Lothian (103); London: Battersea (91), Bexleyheath (100), Charlton (95), Chingford (105), Chiswick 1 (70), Chiswick 2 (74), Croydon 1 (94), Croydon 2 (65), Docklands (107), Ealing 1 (30), Ealing 2 (36), Ealing 3 (52), Ealing 4 (102), Enfield 1 (120), Enfield 2 (76), Finchley (76), Fulham (96), Greenwich (51), Hammersmith 1 (130), Hammersmith 2 (20), Harlesden (66), Harrow 1 (55), Harrow 2 (88), Heathrow (100), Hillingdon (124), Ilford (124), Kenton (57), Kilburn (105), Leytonstone (100), Lewisham (67), Mill Hill (79), Mottingham (67), Putney (80), Shadwell (95), Teddington (77), Walthamstow (100), Wandsworth 1 (96), Wandsworth 2 (52), Wapping (54), West Ealing 1 (43), West Ealing 2 (18), West Hampstead (73), Westminster (64); Long Eaton, Derbyshire (113); Loughborough, Leics (40); Macclesfield, Cheshire (96); Maidenhead 1, Berks (66), Maidenhead 2 (160); Maidstone 1, Kent (47), Maidstone 2 (118), Maidstone 3 (51); Manchester, G. Manchester (89); Mansfield, Notts (56); Market Harborough, Leics (76); Matlock, Derbs (96); Melrose, Scottish Borders (75); Meopham, Kent (144); Milton Keynes 1, Bucks (100), Milton Keynes 2 (96), Milton Keynes 3 (101); Morden, Surrey (66); Newbury, Berks (117); Newcastle 1, Tyne and Wear (115), Newcastle 2 (128), Newcastle 3 (138), Newcastle 4 (131), Newcastle 5 (110); Northampton 1, Northants (74), Northampton 2 (143), Northampton 3 (116); North Shields, Tyne and Wear (125); Northwich, Cheshire (108); Norwich, Norfolk: Norwich 1, Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital (118), Norwich 2 (112), Norwich 3 (112), Norwich 4 (72); Nottingham 1, Notts, City Hospital (162), Nottingham 2 (108), Nottingham 3 (88), Nottingham 4, University of Nottingham (97), Nottingham 5 (69), Nottingham 6 (116); Oxford 1, Oxon (110), Oxford 2 (102), Oxford 3 (104), Oxford 4 (119); Perivale, Middlesex (76); Peterborough 1, Cambs (126), Peterborough 2 (50); Plymouth, Devon (82); Portsmouth, Hants (127); Preston 1, Lancs (186), Preston 2 (136), Preston 3 (75); Quedgeley, Glos (115); Rainham, Kent (107); Reading 1, Berks (119), Reading 2 (56), Reading 3 (105); Reigate, Surrey (101); Ripon, N. Yorks (100); Rotherham, S. Yorks (85); Rugby, Warks (84); Sale, G. Manchester (66); Salford (80); Salisbury 1, Wilts (93), Salisbury 2 (46); Sandy, Beds (70); Selly Oak (96); Sevenoaks 1, Kent (100), Sevenoaks 2 (94); Shenley, Herts (123); Shrewsbury, Shropshire (119); Sittingbourne, Kent (69); Solihull 1, W. Midlands (103), Solihull 2 (128), Solihull 3 (94); Southport, Lancs (113); Southwell, Notts (48); St Albans 1, Herts (63), St Albans 2 (143), St Albans 3 (81), St Albans 4, City Hospital (48); St Davids, Flintshire (129); St Neots, Cambs (81); Stockton-on-Tees, Co. Durham (119); Stevenage 1, Herts (102), Stevenage 2 (112); Stokenchurch, Bucks (58); Stotfold, Beds (64); Stowmarket, Suffolk (112); Sudbury Hill, Middlesex (123); Sunderland 1, Tyne and Wear (112), Sunderland 2 (132), Sunderland 3 (86), Sunderland 4 (88), Sunderland 5 (119); Sutton Coldfield, W. Mids (31); Swindon 1, Wilts (86), Swindon 2 (100), Swindon 3 (110); Telford, Shropshire (145); Thames Ditton, Surrey (89); Thetford, Norfolk (72); Trowbridge, Wilts (100); Tunbridge Wells, Kent (76); Uttoxeter, Staffs (85); Wakefield, W. Yorks (112); Wansbeck, Northumberland (112); Warton, Lancs (30); Warwick, Warks (103); Watford General Hospital, Herts (46); Wellingborough, Northants (98); Welwyn, Herts (70), Welwyn Garden City (103); West Byfleet, Surrey (72); Weston-super-Mare, Somerset (123), Weymouth, Dorset (59); Wigan 1, Greater Manchester (76), Wigan 2 (101); Winchester, Hants (69); Wirral 1, Merseyside (68), Wirral 2 (102), Wirral 3 (92), Wirral 4 (102), Wirral 5 (102), Wirral 6 (83), Wirral 7 (102), Wirral 8 (134), Wirral 9 (104); Woking 1, Surrey (108), Woking 2 (66); Warndon, Worcester, Worcs (113); Worksop, Notts (94); Worthing, W. Sussex (72); Wynyard, Co. Durham (108); York 1, N. Yorks (118), York 2 (48)

Places: 33,393

Employees: 9,000

Plans: Five centres to open in the UK in 2025

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

Places: 395

Employees: 65

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: 180

CARING KINDERGARTENS

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

Email: mail@caringkindergartens.co.uk

Website: www.caringkindergartens.co.uk

Proprietor: George Wright

Operations manager: Karl Goodridge

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

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 2025.

CHALK NURSERY GROUP*

Operating under Katey's House and Red Bus Nursery brands.

Head office: 1a St Marks Road, Teddington, Middlesex, TW11 9DE

Telephone: 020 3829 9500

Website: www.kateyshouse.co.uk and www.redbusnursery.co.uk

Directors: Sinead Johnson (CEO), David Lockhart (financial director)

Owns 8 nurseries: Bristol: Coombe Dingle (132), Downend (128), Flax Bourton (96); London: Brentford (60), Ham (48), Hampton Court (55), Kingston-upon-Thames (43), Teddington (64)

Places: 626

Employees: 282

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: 110

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 4 nurseries: London: Marylebone (23); Oxon: Abingdon (35), Steventon (44), Wallingford (36)

Places: 138

Employees: 43

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: Cherubs Longdale, Longdale Lane, Ravenshead, Nottingham, NG15 9AH

Tel: 0330 0553373

Website: cherubsnurseries.co.uk

Established: 1993

CEO: Susan Mills

Director of brand development: Harry Mills

Owns 12 nurseries: Mansfield Edwinstowe (55), Mansfield Sutton in Ashfield (60), Mansfield Wynndale (63), Nottingham Bulwell 1 (82), Nottingham Bulwell 2 (80), Nottingham Kimberley (135), Nottingham Mapperley (73), Nottingham Ravenshead (90), Nottingham Ruddington (55), Worksop (55) – all in Notts; Derbyshire: Ilkeston (72), South Normanton (55)

Places: 875

Employees: 277

Plans: Continue to grow across the Midlands with the acquisition of single-owned nurseries 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 21 nurseries: Cambridge, Cambs (79), Cottenham, Cambridge (51); London: Barking 1 (89), Barking 2 (64), Barking 3 (76), Barking 4 (80), Barking 5 (45), 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 (64)

Places: 1,425

Employees: 442

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

Chief executive: Emma Rooney

Operations director: Louise Hill

Finance director: Justin Clubb

Quality and training director: Lorna Wigley

Operates 44 nurseries: Aylesbury 1, Bucks (107), 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 (109), Hertford 2 (92); Kettering, Northants (116); Leamington Spa, Warks (110); 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 (74); 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: 4,603

Employees: 2,524

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

Places: 503

Employees: 190

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 8 nurseries: Leeds, Yorks: Bardsey (22, plus 60 out-of-school), Farsley (46, plus 60 out-of-school), Granary Wharf (27), Harrogate (50), Headingley (50), Moorlands (50, plus 24 holiday club), Valley View (46, plus 70 out-of-school), Moor Allerton (52, plus 80 out-of-school). Also runs 2 standalone out-of-school clubs: Wigton Moor (50), Chapel Allerton (70). Also runs holiday clubs in Leeds at GSAL, Moorlands and Farsley

Places: 343

Employees: 185

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 17 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; Oxon: Banbury (80), Bodicote (80)

Places: 1,098

Employees: 231

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: Bethany Patrick

Established: 2003

Owns 45 nurseries: Birmingham 1, W. Mids (60), Birmingham 2 (130), Birmingham 3 (126); Bristol 1 (92), Bristol 2 (100); Cainscross, Stroud (61), Cam, Dursley (45), Cheltenham Park (100) – all in Glos; Carterton, Oxon (77); Chichester, W. Sussex (66); Dewsbury, W. Yorks (49); Leamington Spa, Warks (104); Littlehampton, W. Sussex (111); London: Charlton (50), Hounslow (71), Islington (78), Maida Vale (102), Woolwich (50); Madley Park, Oxon (73); Maidenhead, Berks (84); Newcastle 1, Tyne and Wear (92), Newcastle 2 (94), Newcastle 3 (79); Oxford, Oxon: John Radcliffe Hospital (90), Oxford (70), Rose Hill (77); Reading, Berks (86); Southampton, Hants (91); Sutton, Surrey (66); Sussex University Nursery and Pre-School, E. Sussex (101); Sunderland: Hetton (73), Seaham (60), Tavistock (136); Swindon, Wilts: Great Western Hospital (105), Walcot (63); Tadworth, Surrey (51); Telford (100); Walsall Wood, W. Midlands (72); Warwick, Warks (94), Warwick Technology Park (68); Watford 1, Herts (57), Watford 2 (60); Wolverhampton 1, W. Midlands (119), Wolverhampton 2 (51), Wolverhampton 3 (88)

Places: 3,725

Employees: 1,352

COUNTRYSIDE NURSERIES

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

Tel: 01628 476153

Email: enquiries@countrysidenurseries.co.uk

Website: www.countrysidenurseries.co.uk

Directors: Anna Taylor-West, Andrew Palmer-Moore

Established: 1991

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

Places: 268

Employees: 75

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

Places: 165

Employees: 47

CRÈCHE-N-CO

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

Tel: 01706 641781

Email: office@creche-n-co.uk

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 3915 6598

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: 58 Buckingham Gate, London, SW1E 6AJ

Tel: 020 3696 5300

Email: admissions@littledukesnurseries.com

Website: www.dukeseducation.com/littledukes

Founder/chairman: Aatif Hassan

Operations director: Rik McShane

Established: 2015

Operating under Miss Daisy's Nursery Schools, Riverside Nursery Schools, Hopes & Dreams Montessori Nurseries, Hove Village Nurseries, Reflections Nursery and Forest School, Pippa Pop-ins Nursery Schools and The Kindergartens Nursery Schools.

Owns 28 nurseries: London: Angel (120), Battersea Park Road (38), Belgravia 2 (52), Chelsea (41), Fulham Road (60), Hyde Park (52), Kensington (14), Kensington Place (65), Knightsbridge (65), Mallinson Road 1 (34), Mallinson Road 2 (80), New Kings Road 1 (86), New Kings Road 2 (72), Old Street (80), Pountney Road (34), Richmond (60), Tooting Bec (60), Twickenham 1 (42), Twickenham 2 (50), Twickenham 3 (69), Twickenham 4 (90), Wandsworth (32); Cambridge, Cambs (80); Worthing, W. Sussex (163). Acquired Hove Village Nurseries in September 2022: Brighton 1 (58), Brighton 2 (36), New Church Road, Hove (149), Hove Library Day Nursery (37) – all in E. Sussex

Places: 1,826

Employees: 500 approx.

Plans: Opening a fifth Pippa Pop-Ins Nursery School in autumn 2025.

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 39 nurseries: Aylesham, Kent (65); Batley, W. Yorks (24); Birmingham (50); Bude, Cornwall (34); Bulwell, Notts (54); 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 (70), Bexley 2 (86), Bexley 3 (84), Kidbrooke (52), Lewisham (28); Longstanton, Cambs (52); Luton 1, Beds (70), Luton 2 (24), Luton 3 (70), Luton 4 (34); Manchester (65); Newark-on-Trent, Notts (62); Nottingham, Notts (20), Peterborough 1, Northants (32), Peterborough 2 (26), Peterborough 3 (26), Peterborough 4 (60); Runcorn 1, Cheshire (75), Runcorn 2 (56); Southend-on-Sea 1, Essex (59), Southend-on-Sea 2 (72), Southend-on-Sea 3 (84); Sutton-in-Ashfield, Notts (49); Torquay, Devon (24); Tipton, W. Mids (36); Tiverton, Devon (49); Worksop, Notts (50)

Places: 1,949

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 8 settings: Canning Town, London (63); Chelmsford, London (65); Eastbourne, E. Sussex (80); Kidderminster 1, Worcs (75), Kidderminster 2 (75); Selly Oak, W. Midlands (143); Wellingborough, Northants (46); Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex (70)

Places: 617

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 executive: Tony Page

Chief financial officer: Warwick Thresher

Operations director: James Chaplin

Commercial director: Dane Hardie

Director of early years: Emily Burgess

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); Holmer Green, Bucks (56); Hounslow, London (60); Kegworth, Leics (110); Kentish Town, London 1 (78), Kentish Town 2 (36); Leech, Staffordshire (57); 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); Nottingham, Notts 2 (72); Oxted, Surrey (46); Pinner, London (74); 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: 7,103

Employees: 3,072

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

Director of people and wellbeing: Sophie Tozzi

Established: 2020

Owns 10 nurseries and pre-schools: Beaconsfield, Bucks (132); Billericay, Essex (96); Burton-on-Trent, Staffs (96); Cambridge, Cambs (52); Durham, Co. Durham (96); Godstone, Surrey (96); Leighton Buzzard, Herts (114); Lincoln, Lincs (96); Milton Keynes, Bucks (56); St Albans, Herts (181)

Places: 1,015

Employees: 470

Plans: New replacement nursery at Milton Keynes for 100 places.

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

Chief executive: Steven Fenn

Chief operating officer: Alexia Fenn

Director of early years: Rageena Tahir

Business development director: Bradley Fenn

Executive director: Steve Gill

Established: 1992

Owns 20 nurseries: Kent: Beckenham, Kings Hall (77), Beckenham, Langley Park (123), Bromley, Blyth Road (94), Bromley, London Lane (91); London: Croydon, Addiscombe Road (105), Croydon, Woodside (90), Ealing, Junction Road (88), Eltham, Westmount Road (76), Kidbrooke, Whittle Road (99), Purley, Christchurch Road (126), Raynes Park, Amity Grove (97), Sanderstead, Church Way (50), South Croydon, St Augustine's (72), Teddington, Waldegrave Road (103), Wimbledon, Elm Grove (84); Surrey: Epsom, Hook Road (131), Horley, Albert Road (96), Oxted, Amy Road (84), Walton, Tennis Close (101), Woking, Carlton Road (145)

Places: 1,932

Employees: 755 (including 179 bank staff)

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

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 7 nurseries and children's centres: Boston, Lincs (59); Goole, E. Yorks (48); Grimsby, Lincs: Broadway Children's Centre Day Care (47), Queensway Children's Centre Day Care (55), County Hospital (36), Welbourne Gardens (48); Selby, N. Yorks (53)

Places: 711

Employees: 252

GRANBY NURSERIES

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

Tel: 01709 710709

Proprietor: Dr. Sipra Deb

Established: 1994

Owns 5 nurseries: Doncaster, S. Yorks: Cantley (60), Intake (111); Rotherham, S. Yorks: Parkgate (96), Wickersley (41); Worksop, Notts (49)

Places: 357

Employees: 90

GRANDIR UK

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

Tel: 01256 383440

Email: info@grandiruk.com

Website: www.grandiruk.com

Chief executive: Lydia Hopper

Chief financial officer: Matthew Moore

Chief operating officer: Heather Young

Established: 1998

Owns and manages 86 nurseries: Ascot 1, Berks (32), Ascot 2 (48); Basingstoke, Hants (121); Bedford, Beds (75); Brighton, Sussex (86); Bristol: Bradley Stoke 1 (101), Bradley Stoke 2 (57), Brislington (72), Crews Hole (68), Downend 1 (68), Downend 2 (44), Hanham (74), Hengrove (61), Soundwell (73), Westbury-on-Trym (56); 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 (36); 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 (99), Chingford Forest (41), Chiswick (79), Clerkenwell Mount (55), Crystal Palace (24), Islington (60), 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 (52), 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); Sandhurst, Berks (56); Somersham, Cambs (95); Taunton, Somerset (129); Torquay, Devon (105); Wellingborough, Northants (103); Whiteley 1, Hants (128), Winchester, Hants (57); Woking, Surrey (72); Writtle, Essex (118).

1 after-school club: Surbiton, London (40)

Places: 6,822

Employees: 2,534

GROWING PLACES

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

Tel: 023 9226 6004

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. Also runs 2 out-of-school clubs: Waterlooville 1 (48), Waterlooville 2 (24); and 2 holiday clubs: 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 Blacwell

Finance director: Toni Kilby

Development director: Kevin Higgs

Established: 1993

Owns 30 nurseries: Bath, Somerset (70); Bristol 1 (100), Bristol 2 (82), Bristol 3 (81), Bristol 4 (81), Bristol 5 (81), Bristol 6 (81); Cardiff (105); Derriford (146), Exeter (78) – both in Devon; Droitwich Spa, Worcs (90); Eastleigh (87), Portsmouth (53) – both in Hants; Falmouth (63), St Austell (63), Summercourt (75), Treloweth (64), Truro 1 (71), Truro 2 (63), Truro 3 (52) – all in Cornwall; Farnham (88), Godalming (54) – both in Surrey; Poole (81), Verwood (81) – both in Dorset; Salisbury (81), Swindon, (100) – both in Wiltshire; Saltford 1, S. Glocs (32), Saltford 2 (60); Weston-super-Mare (81), Yeovil (45) – both in Somerset

Places: 2,289

Employees: 770

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: 75

Plans: To open a new nursery in Sheffield in September 2025

HONEYBUNS NURSERY GROUP

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

Tel: 01952 246 002

Email: office@honeybunsnurseries.co.uk

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)

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), Allerton (45, plus wraparound care and holiday club), Childwall (44), Garston (79), Wavertree (91), Huyton (75)

Places: 378

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

HOPSCOTCH DAY NURSERIES

Head office: 9 Fielder Drive, Fareham, Hampshire, 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 9 nurseries: Botley, Southampton (120), Eastleigh (90), Fareham (85), Gosport (88), Lee on the Solent, Gosport (83), Portswood, Southampton (90), Regents Park, Southampton (90), Sholing (95), Titchfield, Fareham (75) – all in Hants

Places: 816

Employees: 338

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

Places: 444

Employees: 170

Plans: To open new nurseries in 2025.

ISTEP LEARNING*

Head office: Office suite 6.05, 80 Coleman Street, London EC2R 5BJ

Email: info@isteplearning.co.uk

Website: www.isteplearning.co.uk

Established: 2023

Owns 22 nurseries: Ashington, Pulborough, W. Sussex (54); Brighton, E. Sussex (65); Burgess Hill 1, W. Sussex (25), Burgess Hill 2 (40); Crawely, W. Sussex (42); Devon 1 (30), Devon 2 (20), Devon 3 (50); Godalming, Surrey (60); Hove, E. Sussex (44); Lancing, W. Sussex (54); Lower Beeding, W. Sussex (72); Okehampton, Devon (74); Portslade, E. Sussex (26); Plymouth 1, Devon (38), Plymouth 2 (95); Plymstock, Devon (64); Purbrook, Hants (70); Shoreham, W. Sussex (58); Southwater, Horsham, W. Sussex (56); Tavistock, Devon (59); Woolwell, Devon (59)

Places: 1,155

Employees: 428

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 (44) – both Stanley Park Road. Also runs 13 out-of-school clubs. Provides traineeships, Education Programme for Young People (EPYP), apprenticeships and professional qualifications

Places: 227

Employees: 180

KANGAROO POUCH NURSERIES

Head office: Sunridge, Hambury Road, Droitwich Spa, WR9 7DU

Tel: 078 8288 0850

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 NURSERIES AND PRE-SCHOOLS

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 18 nurseries: Battersea (103), Bethnal Green (60), Camden (65), Chiswick (112), Clerkenwell (80), Crouch End (100), Elephant Park, Southwark (124), Fulham (70), Golders Green (85), Golders Green Road (42), Greenwich (109), Imperial Wharf (50), Isleworth (52), Streatham (104), Tooting (90), Wandsworth (120), Waterloo (80), Windsor (70) – all in London

Places: 1,516

Employees: 200+

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 16 nurseries: Aylesbury, Bucks (68); Bluewater, Kent (106); Broomfield, Chelmsford (52); Crowthorne, Berks (82); Gravesend, Kent (92); Guildford, Surrey (102); Knaphill, Surrey (85); 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: 1,289

Employees: 425

Plans: Further acquisitions/openings planned in and around the M25 area. New nurseries opening in London, Essex and Hampshire in 2025

KIDS PLANET DAY NURSERIES

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 224 nurseries: Abergele (63); Birmingham 1, W. Mids (60), Birmingham 2 (63), Birmingham 3 (58), Birmingham 4 (42); Blackburn 1, Lancs (80), Blackburn 2 (55); Blackpool 1, Lancs (85), Blackpool 2 (53), Blackpool 3 (54), Blackpool 4 (84); Bolton (120); Bradford 1, W. Yorks (71), Bradford 2 (80), Bradford 3 (76), Bradford 4 (60), Bradford 5 (112), Bradford 6 (80), Bradford 7 (68); Brierley Hill, W. Mids 1 (75), Brierley Hill 2 (85); Bristol 1 (118), Bristol 2 (60); Burnley, Lancs (96); Cambridge, Cambs (100); Castleford (115); Cheshire: Cheadle 1 (184), Cheadle 2 (78), Chester 1 (103), Chester 2 (110), Clitheroe (112), Congleton (80), Crewe 1 (67), Crewe 2 (154), Crewe 3 (42), Crewe 4 (165), Frodsham (95), Knutsford (148), Lymm (141), Middlewich (118), Northwich (118), Stretton (62), Urmston (75), Widnes (82); Chorley, Lancs (120); Colwyn Bay 1 (60), Colwyn Bay 2 (90), Colwyn Bay 3 (54); Conwy (58); Coventry 1, Warks (80), Coventry 2 (67), Coventry 3 (88); Cramlington, Northumberland (75); Derbyshire: Brampton (81), Chesterfield 1 (65), Chesterfield 2 (60), Chesterfield 3 (60), Chesterfield 4 (108), Spondon 1 (68), Spondon 2 (48); Denbigh (82); Durham (74); Duston, Northants (46); Gateshead (35); Goole, E. Yorks 1 (120), Goole 2 (68), Goole 3 (93); Greater Manchester: Altrincham 1 (129), Altrincham 2 (85), Ashton under Lyne (110), Audenshaw (114), Belper (74), Bolton (52), Christie Fields (275), Denton (101), Dukinfield (78), Eccles (80), Heywood 1 (66), Heywood 2 (68), Heywood 3 (44), Irlam (120), Leigh (95), Macclesfield (176), Prestwich (126), Sale 1 (84), Sale 2 (109), Salford 1 (160), Salford 2 (133), Salford 3 (136), Stalybridge (114), Stockport 1 (90), Stockport 2 (60), Stockport 3 (97), Stockport 4 (192), Stockport 5 (59), Stretford (68), Swinton (125), Trafford City (112), Worsley 1 (101), Worsley 2 (123); Halesowen, W. Mids (74); Harborough, Leics (106); Harrogate (81); Hinckley, Leics (74); Huddersfield 1, W. Yorks (45), Huddersfield 2 (54), Huddersfield 3 (67); Hull 1 (68), Hull 2 (73), Hull 3 (73), Hull 4 (73), Hull 5 (48), Hull 6 (70); Kettering 1, Northants (132), Kettering 2 (74); Kidderminster, Worcs (89); Kingswinford, W. Mids (85); Knaresborough, N. Yorks (92); Leeds 1, W. Yorks (78), Leeds 2 (78), Leeds 3 (151), Leeds 4 (73), Leeds 5 (67), Leeds 6 (91), Leeds 7 (93); Little Lever, Lancs (74); Llandudno (67); Lytham St Annes 1, Lancs (34), Lytham St Annes 2 (97), Lytham St Annes 3 (108), Lytham St Annes 4 (57); Merseyside: Allerton (55), Billinge (88), Crosby (129), Halewood (61), Heswall, Wirral (93), Hoylake (111), Kirkby (90), Litherland 1 (80), Litherland 2 (101), Liverpool 1 (88), Liverpool 2 (141), Newton-le-Willows 1 (66), Newton-le-Willows 2 (50), Prescot 1 (100), Prescot 2 (80), Prescot 3 (76), Southport Ainsdale (56), Southport 1 (76), Southport 2 (166), Springhead (55), Wallasey 1 (120), Wallasey 2 (24), Wavertree 1 (88), Wavertree 2 (130); Newcastle under Lyme (109); Newcastle upon Tyne: Heddon-on-the-Wall (65), Kenton Park (58), Longbenton (130), Wallsend (140), Westerhope (72); Normanton 1, W. Yorks (40), Normanton 2 (48), Normanton 2 (72); Nottingham 1, Notts (54), Nottingham 2 (82), Nottingham 3 (90), Nottingham 4 (72), Nottingham 5 (96), Nottingham 6 (64), Nottingham 7 (65), Nottingham 8 (90), Nottingham 9 (72), Nottingham 10 (80), Nottingham 11 (40); Oxford: Bradmore Road (54), Jack Straws Lane (62), Mansion House (47), University (88), Woodstock Road (82); Nuneaton 1 (120), Nuneaton 2 (64); Poulton le Flyde 1, Lancs (72), Poulton le Flyde 2 (89); Preston 1, Lancs (72), Preston 2 (72); Pudsey, W. Yorks (74); Rugeley, Staffs (71); Sandbach, Cheshire (75); Shrewsbury, Shropshire (120); Solihull 1, W. Mids (30), Solihull 2 (85), Solihull 3 (40); Stafford 1, Staffs (63), Stafford 2 (37); Stapleton, Darlington (110); Stoke on Trent 1, Staffs (113), Stoke on Trent 2 (54); Stone, Staffs (77); Sunderland, Tyne and Wear 1 (60), Sunderland 2 (85); Swadlincote, Leics (88); Tadcaster, N. Yorks (178); Telford 1 (194), Telford 2 (173); Thornton-Cleveleys 1, Lancs (56), Thornton-Cleveleys 2 (65), Thornton-Cleveleys 3 (55), Thornton-Cleveleys 4 (102), Thornton-Cleveleys 5 (40); Warrington 1, Cheshire (114), Warrington 2 (39), Warrington 3 (113), Warrington 4 (54), Warrington 5 (94); Warwick (80); Wetherby 1, W. Yorks (55), Wetherby 2 (73); Whitley Bay 1, Tyne and Wear (82), Whitley Bay 2 (54); Wigan 1, Lancs (94), Wigan 2 (67); Witney, Oxon (96); Woolston, Hants (64)

Places: 19,258

Employees: 6,296

Plans: New openings in Alder Hey, Prestwich, Little Lever, Leyland, Sandymoor and Oxford.

KIDZCARE

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

Email: enquiries@kidzcare.org

Website: www.kidzcare.org

Owner: Employee-owned (employee ownership trust)

Operations manager: Romana Davis

Established: 2001

Owns 3 nurseries: Edinburgh: Grange Loan (104), Norwood House, Grange (66), Portobello (40). Also runs 5 after-school clubs, 4 breakfast clubs and 2 holiday club.

Places: 210

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

KINDERZIMMER UK*

Head office: 3a Montagu Row, London, W1U 6DZ

Tel: 07751 344260

Email: hello@kinderzimer.co.uk

Website: www.kinderzimmer.co.uk

Director and CEO: Vishav Roma

Director of operations: Charlotte Roberts

Established: 2022

Owns 9 nurseries: Amersham, Bucks (149); Berkhamsted, Herts (91); Chelmsford, Essex (84); Muswell Hill, London (57); South Kensington, London (89); Sunbury-on-Thames, Surrey (105); Walthamstow Central, London (82); Walton-on-Thames, Surrey (116); White City, London (62)

Places: 835

Employees: 151

Plans: Kinderzimmer Godalming (Surrey) and our second setting in Walthamstow will be launching in 2025.

KINDRED EDUCATION

Acquired: St Nicholas Day Nursery, Little Crickets Day Nursery, Sunshine Day Nursery & Pre-School, Twickenham Day Nursery, Orchard 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 operations: Annie Tierney

Established: 2015

Owns 46 nurseries: Amesbury, Wilts (32); Beeston, Nottinghamshire (44); Billericay 1, Essex (101), Billericay 2 (44); Bournemouth, Dorset (100); Cambourne, Cambridgeshire (120); Cambridge, Cambridgeshire (51); Cheshunt, Hertfordshire (100); Durrington, Wilts (56); Farnsfield, Nottinghamshire (121); Girton, Cambridgeshire (100); Harlow, Essex (43); Hauxton, Cambridgeshire (75); Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire (77); Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire (101); Hykeham, Lincolnshire (96); London: Bromley 1 (120), Bromley 2 (101), Bromley 3 (60), Bromley 4 (46), Enfield (38), Edmonton (45), Hainault (80), Hanwell (90), Islington (75), Maida Vale (39), Orpington (58), Teddington (45), Twickenham 1 (44), Twickenham 2 (56), Wanstead (80), Whitton (40); Lowdham, Nottinghamshire (68); Rayleigh, Essex (78); Royston 1, Hertfordshire (88), Royston 2 Hertfordshire (35); Salisbury 1, Wilts (98); Salisbury 2, Wilts (60); Salisbury 3, Wilts (44); St Ives, Cambridgeshire (114); St Neots, Cambridgeshire (35); Tring, Hertfordshire (44); Waltham Abbey, Essex (55); West Bridgford, Notts (93); Westcliff on Sea, Essex (72); Wheathampstead, Herts (67). Also owns 2 out-of-school clubs.

Places: 3,229

Employees: 1,015

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 11 nurseries: Airdrie, N. Lanarkshire (53); Bearsden, E. Dunbartonshire (92); Broomhill, Glasgow (135); Coatbridge, N. Lanarkshire (70); East Kilbride, S. Lanarkshire (188); Govan, Glasgow (96); Newton Mearns, E. Renfrewshire (80); Shettleston, Glasgow (63); Thornliebank, E. Renfrewshire (44); Tollcross, Glasgow (78); Wishaw, N. Lanarkshire (53). Also owns 2 Forest Schools

Places: 874

Employees: 243

LEAP AHEAD NURSERIES

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

Tel: 01482 821467

Email: headoffice@leapaheadnurseries.co.uk

Website: www.leapaheadnurseries.co.uk

Director: Angela Proctor

Established: 2014

Owns 4 nurseries: Lincolnshire: Brigg (27), Grimsby (39), Scunthorpe (50), Ulceby (37)

Places: 153

Employees: 40

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, Harriet Backus-Griffin

Established: 1994

Owns 3 nurseries: Anstey (79), Coalville (66), Leicester Forest East (100) – 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 ADVENTURES 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 9 nurseries: Bridgwater (75), Cheddar (48), Taunton (60), Weston-super-Mare (65), Worle (65) – all in Somerset; Bristol (110); Dudley, W. Midlands (75); Stirchley (82), Washwood Heath (110) – both Birmingham, W. Mids

Places: 690

Employees: 165

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

LITTLE BARN OWLS

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

Tel: 01403 916505

Email: info@littlebarnowls.co.uk

Website: www.littlebarnowls.co.uk

Director: Hayley Peacock

Established: 2010

Owns 4 nurseries: Horsham 1 (120), Horsham 2 (52), Horsham 3 (64), Crawley (80) – all in W. Sussex

Places: 316

Employees: 150

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 17 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), W. Mids; Sutton Coldfield, Erdington, W. Mids (98)

Places: 1,142

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 (30), Barking Riverside (85), Bessborough (60), Brixton 1 (40), Brixton 2 (50), Burgess Park (45), Bushy Tails, Teddington (80), Camberwell Grove (81), Carlton Hill (73), Colville (46), Conservatoire, Blackheath (45), Cumberland Road, Newham (95), Deanery Road, Stratford (104), Earls Court (48), Eastbury (81), Farrance Road, Romford (47), Ford Road, Dagenham (57), Gumboots, Dulwich (106), Hither Green (47), House of Commons, Westminster (40), Katharine Bruce, N. Kensington (59), Leys (56), London Fields, Hackney (57), Marks Gate, Romford (52), Marsham Street, Westminster (55), Micky Star, Westminster (62), New Cross (69), Noah's Ark, Tower Hamlets (50), Old Kent Road, Southwark (55), Pembury (69), Playhouse, New Cross (51), Royal Oak (56), Soho (40), South Bermondsey (96), Stockwell (63), Stoke Newington (71), Thames Reach (74), University of East London, Newham (52), Wandsworth Bridge (48), Weir Link, Lambeth (47)

Places: 2,442

Employees: 978 (incl. bank staff)

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

Plans: To open two more nurseries by the end of 2025

THE MARMALADE SCHOOLS

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

Tel: 020 8265 5224

Email: marmaladeschools@gmail.com

Website: www.marmaladeschools.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

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: 300

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 3 nurseries: Alford (86), Boston (90), Swineshead (63) – all in Lincs

Places: 239

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

Chief executive: Mark and Rebecca Crosby

Established: 2004

Owns/manages 75 nurseries: Ealing (70), East Sheen (76), Loughton (71), West Kensington (84) – all in London; Guildford, Surrey (89); Woodford, Essex (120). As part of franchise (69 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 (109); Kettering, Northants (63); London: Angel (70), Battersea (71), Catford (122), Chadwell Heath (82), Charlton (115), East Finchley (82), Eltham (60), Epsom (66), Enfield (52), Greenford (154), Harrow (83), Highbury Park (71), Hither Green (91), Horsham (100), Melody Lane (120), Muswell Hill (52), New Cross (67), Orpington (82), Sevenoaks (72), 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); Purley, Surrey (60); Riverside, Northants (94); Seer Green, Bucks (88); Shefford, Beds (51); Sidcup, Kent (100); Solihull (45); Stafford, W. Mids (77); St Albans 1, Herts (47), St Albans 2 (87); Stevenage, Herts (83); 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); Wokingham, Berks (70)

Places: 6,013

Employees: 1,971

Plans: To open two new nurseries, in London and Surrey, 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 clubs at both Cheltenham settings

Places: 213

Employees: 60

NATURALLY LEARNING

Head office: Unit D, Woodland Court, Threemilestone, Truro, TR4 9NH

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 7 nurseries, including 2 Forest Schools at Charlestown and Truro: Charlestown (53), Falmouth (48), Hayle (64), Nansledan (64), Redruth (55), Truro 1 (52), Truro 2 (48) – all in Cornwall. Also runs 2 holiday clubs

Places: 384

Employees: 104

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 (57), Chorley 1 (46), Chorley 2 (54), Chorley 3 (52), Chorley 4 (17), Euxton (67), Heskin (44), Parbold (37) – all in Lancs.

Places: 374

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: 130

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

Chief education officer: Dr Gemma Pawson

UK chief executive officer: Simone Carter

Chief financial officer: Jon Temple

Chief operating officer: Mark Hassan-Ali

Established: 2017

Owns 40 nurseries: Bishop's Stortford, Herts (79); Bushey, Herts (87); Cambridge, Cambs (82); Chertsey, Surrey (136); Cobham, Surrey (60); Godalming, Surrey (119); London: Angel (129), Balham (98), Brixton (142), Camberwell (92), Dollis Hill (80), Forest Hill (92), Greenwich (75), Hackney (96), Highgate (66), Kentish Town (117), Kingston (127), Leytonstone (67), London Fields (55), Maida Vale (80), Olympic Park (107), Stoke Newington 1 (72), Stoke Newington 2 (72), Twickenham (127), Twickenham West (54), Walthamstow (96), Wandsworth (85), West Hampstead (89), Whetstone (110); Maidenhead, Berks (138); Ockham, Surrey (75); Reading (135); Redhill, Surrey (112); Tunbridge Wells, Kent 1 (124), Tunbridge Wells 2 (79); West Midlands: Codsall (120), Harborne, Edgbaston (76), Jewellery Quarter (78), Moseley (75); Weybridge, Surrey (55)

Places: 3,758

Employees: 1,457

Plans: New openings in 2025 in Leatherhead, Hove, Wimbledon, Guildford and Beckenham

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: T. Gould, E.G. Gould, J.J. Gould

Established: 1994

Owns 3 nurseries: Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear (94, plus out-of-school club); Spennymoor, Co. Durham (43); Stockton-on-Tees, Co. Durham (80, plus out-of-school club)

Places: 217

Employees: 48

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.nunthorpenurseriesgroup.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 clubs at 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: enquiries@theoldstationnursery.co.uk

Website: theoldstationnursery.co.uk

Chairwoman: Sarah Steel

Chief executive: Adelle Taylor

Established: 2002

Owns 76 nurseries: Alcester, Warks (81); Alvechurch, Worcs (91); Bampton, Oxon (38); Barnt Green, Worcs (47); 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 (96); 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 (58); 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 (44), 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 (42); Tadcaster Road (134); Taplow, Bucks (84); Uxbridge, London (73); Walsall, W. Mids (67); 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: 5,324

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

Tel: 020 8751 5810

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 018749

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: Bitterne, Hants (50); Lymington, Hants (24); Southampton, Hants: City Centre (56), Harefield (48), Freemantle (55), Portswood (70), Sholing (54), Shirley (51), St Mark's, Shirley (31), Swaythling (68), West End (61); Winchester, Hants (27)

Places: 564

Employees: 177

PAPER MOON DAY NURSERIES

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

Tel: 0115 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

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

Tel: 0161 320 2750

Email: comms@partou.co.uk

Website: www.partou.co.uk

Managing director: Samantha Rhodes

Head of operations: Alan Campbell

Established: 2023

Owns 106 nurseries: Accrington (67), Adel (62), Alwoodley (56), Amersham (75), Arnold (61), Atherton 1 (117), Atherton 2 (75), Atherton 3 (83), Barnwood (99), Beaconsfield (49), Beech Green (84), Bessacarr (149), Bidston (82), Binfield (124), Bishop's Stortford (74), Blackrod (99), Brimstage (68), Brislington (70), Bristol City Centre (95), Burnley 1 (79), Burnley 2 (90), Cheltenham (69), Chorley (61), Clitheroe (66), Coventry (142), Ellesmere Port (52), Fishponds (51), Frampton Cotterell (48), Fulwood 1 (90), Fulwood 2 (87), Gledhow (62), Haddenham (46), Hadfield (78), Halton (44), Harrogate 1 (78), Harrogate 2 (74), Harrogate 3 (72), Harrogate 4 (96), Harrogate 5 (52), Hatfield (92), Hemel Hempstead (48), High Wycombe (111), Hoddesdon (89), Hucclecote (87), Idle 1 (76), Idle 2 (97), Knowle (78), Leyland (115), Little Stanney (63), London 1 (120), London 2 (65), London 3 (69), London 4 (52), London 5 (69), London 6 (61), London 7 (43), Longlevens (75), Luton (114), Market Harborough (80), Methley (59), Moortown (80), North Prenton (66), Oxton (71), Padiham (48), Prenton (67), Quedgeley (66), Redditch (50), Rickmansworth (72), Rock Ferry (82), Roundhay (71), Sale (86), Sandbach (103), Sandymoor (56), Shepperton (90), Shipley (77), Slough (142), South Croydon (63), Southport (78), Speedwell (46), Speke (108), Spurstow (44), St. George (53), Stafford (86), Staines-Upon-Thames (44), Stockport (69), Stockwood (71), Stoke Gifford (40), Stretton (54), Sunninghill (114), Sutton Coldfield (94), Taplow (89), Thornbury (106), Tyldesley (120), Uxbridge (74), Ware 1 (114), Ware 2 (50), West Bridgford 1 (50), West Bridgford 2 (66), West Bridgford 3 (63), Whaddon (134), Widnes (74), Wigan (97), Worcester (50), Yate 1 (61), Yate 2 (45), Yeadon (108)

Places: 8,181

Employees: 2,272

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 and holiday club at 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@pinocchiosnursery.co.uk

Website: www.pinocchiosnursery.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)

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: 111

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 4 nurseries: Birchfield, Wolverhampton (55); Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk (55); Moreton Hall, Rugby, Warks (50); Oswestry, Shropshire (65)

Places: 225

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

RAFAKIDZ*

Head office: Atlas House, 41 Wembley Road, Leicester, LE3 1UT

Tel: 0800 018 2361

Email: hello@rafakidz.org.uk

Website: www.rafakidz.org.uk

Operations manager north: Pam Cave

Operations manager south: Jan Thorp

Established: 2019

Owns 17 nurseries: Abbey Wood, Bristol (140); Boscombe Down, Wiltshire (81); Boulmer, Northumberland (45); Brize Norton 1, Oxon (138), Brize Norton 2 (40); Cranwell, Lincs (78); Cosford, Shropshire (104); Digby, Lincs (82); High Wycombe, Bucks (89); Honington, Suffolk (72); Leeming, N. Yorks (130); Medmenham, Bucks (55); Odiham, Hants (67); Shawbury, Shropshire (55); Anglesey, Wales (68); Walter's Ash, Bucks (58); Worthy Down, Hants (55) Also runs 4 holiday clubs.

Places: 1,357

Employees: 345

Plans: Expecting to open further settings in April 2025.

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

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.rosedenenurseries.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, Rachel Burley, Sarah Morales

Owns 3 nurseries: Bridgend (50); Swansea: Portmead (41), Sketty (118)

Places: 209

Employees: 65

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 (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

Directors: Graham Abbott, 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 11 nurseries: Burcombe (24), Calne (42), Corsham (60), Froxfield (40), Great Cheverell (34), Salisbury 1 (70), Salisbury 2 (60), St Peter's (30), Trinity 1 (28), Trinity 2 (34), Wilton (150) – all in Wilts

Places: 456

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 21 nurseries: Braintree 1, Essex (49), Braintree 2 (37), Braintree 3 (54); Exeter, Devon (46); Gateshead 1, Tyne and Wear (54), Gateshead 2 (76), Gateshead 3 (36); Kinloss, Morayshire (100); Erith, Kent (34); Norfolk 1, E. Anglia (62), Norfolk 2 (56); RAF Benson, Oxon (79); RAF Halton, Bucks (54); 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 17 out-of-school clubs and 17 holiday clubs including 14 locations operating under the brand Spring Oscars

Places: 1,181

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). Also runs holiday clubs at all settings

Places: 489

Employees: 100+

STORAL

Acquired Children 1st in October 2024

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

Website: www.storal.com; www.children1stdaynurseries.com

Email: info@storal.com

Chief executive officer: Sarah Mackenzie

Chief financial officer: Varun Chanrai

Chief strategy officer: Ashwin Grover

Established: 2016

Owns/manages 56 nurseries: Ashby-de-la-Zouch 1, Leics (42), Ashby-de-la-Zouch 2 (47); Banbury, Oxon (93); Basingstoke, Hants (77); Blandford Forum, Dorset (90); Brentwood, Essex (70); Brighton, E. Sussex (66); Bristol (101); Chesterfield 1, Derbyshire (72), Chesterfield 2 (103), Chesterfield 3 (147); Clacton-on-Sea, Essex (223); Coalville (92); Edgbaston, Birmingham, W. Mids (86); Grantham, Lincs (122); Gravesend, Kent (80); Leicester 1, Leics (108), Leicester 2 (123), Leicester 3 (118); Lincoln 1, Lincs (106), Lincoln 2 (95), Lincoln 3 (90), Lincoln 4 (100); Long Eaton 1, Derbs (134), Long Eaton 2 (71); Loughborough 1, Leicestershire (90), Loughborough 2 (125); Maidstone 1, Kent (34), Maidstone 2 (48); G. Manchester 1 (100), G. Manchester 2 (123), G. Manchester 3 (86); Newark 1, Notts (88), Newark 2 (68); Nottingham 1, Notts (128), Nottingham 2 (143), Nottingham 3 (150); Portishead, Somerset (69); Romford, Essex (120); Salisbury 1, Wilts (70), Salisbury 2 (72); Sheffield, S. Yorks (159); Sittingbourne, Kent (56); Stamford 1, Lincs (65), Stamford 2 (75); Stoke-on-Trent 1, Staffs (133), Stoke-on-Trent 2 (99), Stoke-on-Trent 3 (95); Sudbury, Suffolk (99); Sutton-in-Ashfield, Notts (73); Warminster, Wilts (70); Warrington, Cheshire (105); Widnes, Cheshire (82); Winchester, Hants (73); Woodville 1, Derbs (109), Woodville 2 (38)

Places: 5,301

Employees: 1,890

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: 62

THRIVE CHILDCARE AND EDUCATION

Head office: Media City Nature Kindergarten, 3 Central Park, Ohio Avenue, Salford, Manchester, M50 2GT

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 people: Marie Lloyd

Head of quality: Ursula Krystek-Walton

Head of property and H&S: Cheryl Darroch

Established: 2007

Owns 46 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); Dunblane, Stirlingshire (73); Dundee (114); Edinburgh 1 (58), Edinburgh 2 (104), Edinburgh 3 (69), Edinburgh 4 (100); Falkirk, Stirlingshire (74); Frodsham, Cheshire (92); Glasgow: Ballieston (79), Erskine (70), Garrowhill (61), Glasgow Airport (91), Inverkip (62), Kirkintilloch (80), Robroyston (81), 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 5 out-of-school clubs, 5 holiday clubs and 1 crèche

Places: 3,874

Employees: Approx. 1,200

TIDDLYWINKS DAY NURSERY

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

Tel: 0161 764 1265

Email: info@tiddlywinksnursery.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 9 nurseries: Feltham, London (116); Sandwell, W. Mids (66); Staffs: Cannock Chase (83), East Staffs (60), Stoke-on Trent 1 (58), Stoke-on-Trent 2 (62), Stoke-on-Trent 3 (57), Tamworth (92); Stourport, Worcs (41)

Places: 455

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

Places: 453

Employees: 150

TOAD HALL NURSERY GROUP

Head office: Glover Centre, 23-25 Bury Mead Road, Hitchin, Hertfordshire, 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

Owns 13 nurseries: Berks: Langley (101), Winnersh (72); Crawley, W. Sussex (66); 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: 1,142

Employees: 415

Plans: To increase the group

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 9 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); Solihull, W. Mids (72)

Places: 512

Employees: 115

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

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: Diane Wycherley

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 (56), Wimborne (80) – all in Dorset; Exeter, Devon (104); Hants: Fawley (67), Havant (54), Lymington (100), 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 (122); Salisbury, Wilts (104); Taunton 1, Somerset (36), Taunton 2, Musgrove Park Hospital (122); Warminster, Wilts (48); Yeovil 1, S. Somerset (56), Yeovil 2 (40).

Places: 2,523

Employees: 862

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: Ginny and 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

Operates 3 nurseries: Maidenhead, Berks (40); Reading 1, Berks (40), Reading 2 (91). Also runs 2 breakfast clubs, 3 after-school clubs and 1 holiday club

Places: 171

Employees: 99

WOODLAND HOUSE GROUP OF NURSERIES*

Head office: Early Years Centre, Church Lane, Bromsgrove, B61 8RA

Tel: 01527 908006

Email: enquiries@woodlandhousegroup.co.uk

Website: www.woodlandhousegroup.co.uk

Director: Glenis Keenan

Established: 1993

Owns 4 nurseries: Beoley (32), Bromsgrove (75), Hanbury (100), Redditch (65) – all in Worcs

Places: 272

Employees: 112

YMCA

A federation of local YMCAs

Website: www.ymca.org.uk

Owns 60 nurseries and pre-schools: 8 in Brunel YMCA (previously Bath) (342); 9 in YMCA Black Country Group (644); 1 in Bournemouth YMCA (65); 2 in YMCA Derbyshire (183); 6 in YMCA Dulverton (previously Somerset Coast) (297); 2 in YMCA East Surrey (80); 1 in YMCA Essex (85); 7 in YMCA Fairthorne Group (678); 4 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 (45); 1 in YMCA St Paul's Group (47); 1 in YMCA St Helens (72); 1 in YMCA Taunton (40); 3 in YMCA Thames Gateway (121); 3 in YMCA Trinity Group (254); 3 in YMCA Worcestershire (140).

Places: 3,658

Employees: 890

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 2026.
• 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 January 2025.
  
  

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