Head office: 194 Clarence Road, Fleet, Hants GU13 9RR
Tel/Fax: 01252 613609
Directors: Jeff and Giselle O'Carroll
Established: 1996
Owns 2 nurseries: Fleet, Hants (35), Farnham, Surrey (60)
Places: 95
Employees: 40
ABC Nurseries
Head office: Main Road, Ecclefechan, Dumfriesshire DG11 3BU
Tel/Fax: 01576 300765
Directors: Ann and Malcolm McEwan
Established: 1988
Owns 2 nurseries: Dumfries (70), Ecclefechan (20) (both in Dumfriesshire)
Places: 90
Employees: 21
Plans: Negotiating to open third nursery within 9-12 months.
A&M Day Nurseries
Head office: 367 Prescot Road, Old Swan, Liverpool L13 3BS
Tel: 0151 281 8810 Fax: 0151 280 3098
Owners: Alan Cunningham, Mark Cooper
Group manager: Peter Ashley-Mudie
Established: 1999
Owns 1 nursery: Park View Day Nursery, Liverpool (36)
Places: 36
Employees: 20
Plans: Opening two new nurseries during the next 12 months in Merseyside.
Academy Childcare
Head office: West Village, Bluewater, Greenhithe, Kent DA9 9SE
Tel: 01322 386624 Fax: 01322 384777
Managing director: Paul Richards
Chair (non-executive): Anthony Campling
Operations director: Christina Richards
Established:1996
Owns 6 nurseries: Ashford, Day Nursery (125), Bluewater, Shoppers' Nursery/ Creche (200), Bluewater, Day Nursery (126), Kings Hill, Day Nursery (128), London Victoria, Day Nursery/Creche (65), Brighton, Day Nursery/Creche (50) Places: 694
Employees: 105
Plans: Eight new sites under development plus planned rollout of 38 nurseries over the next five years, of which 22 are Academy Childcare at Next Generation Health Clubs, the new David Lloyd organisation.
Acorn Childcare
Head office: Wesley House, South Street, Castlethorpe, Milton Keynes MK19 7EL
Tel: 01908 510309 Fax: 01908 510222
E-mail: info@acornchildcare.co.uk
Website: www.acornchildcare.co.uk
Directors: Zo Hedges, Chris Hedges, Jenny Brighton
Established: 1989
Owns 3 nurseries: Castlethorpe (51 plus 16 out-of-school), Milton Keynes (40), Brafield-on-the-Green, near Northampton (36)
Also runs childcare agency and training and assessment centre.
Places: 127
Employees: 59
Plans: Expansion through the acquisition of properties and nurseries as going concerns.
Acorns Nurseries
Head office: Acorns House, 7 Park Grove, Cathays, Cardiff CF10 3BJ Tel: 02920 222789 Fax: 02920 221044
Website: www.acornsnurseries.co.uk
Directors: Martyn Hogg, Susan Hogg, Peter Reynolds
Established: 1988
Owns 7 nurseries: Acorns, Roath (26), Baby Acorns, Roath (27), Acorns House (55), Priory House Acorns (70), Whitchurch Acorns (70), St Mellons Acorns (70) (all in Cardiff) and Duffryn, Newport (45)
Manages 4 nurseries: BBC Wales Acorns (61), Sun Life Acorns, Bristol (30), Bristol Civil Service Acorns (32), ONS Acorns, Newport (28)
Places: 474
Employees: 196
Plans: New nursery opening in November.
Astley Grange Nurseries
Head office: Norwood House, 9 Kilgraston Road, Edinburgh EH9 2DX
Tel: 0131 668 2797 Fax: 0131 668 2738
E-mail: morven@morven.junglelink.co.uk
Directors: Earl Black, Sue Martin
Established: 1991
Owns 4 nurseries: Toddler Nursery (30), Baby Creche (27), Tweenie Nursery (42), Norwood House Nursery (59) (all in Edinburgh)
Places: 158
Employees: 100
Asquith Court Schools
Head office: Orbital House, Park View Road, Berkhamsted, Herts HP4 3EY
Freephone: 0800 591 875
Website: www.asquithcourt.co.uk
Managing director: Peter Aughterson
Established: 1989
Owns/manages 85 nurseries: Balham, London (51), Basildon, Essex (77), Battersea, London (69), Bedford (101), Belfast (22), Birmingham (60), Bolton (78), Brighton (59), Bristol (51), Bromley 1 (90), Bromley 2 (80), Bushey, Herts (45), Bushy Park, Kingston upon Thames (59), Cardiff (61), Caterham, Surrey (72), Cheadle, Cheshire (52), Chigwell, Essex (67), Derby (71), Dublin (54), Dulwich, London (60), Eastbourne (12), Edinburgh (56), Enfield 1 (65), Enfield 2 (70), Enfield 3 (45), Epsom (65), Fareham, Hants (92), Faringdon, Oxon (40), Finsbury Park, London (81), Golders Green, London (54), Guildford (60), Hampton, Middlesex (41), Harmondsworth, Middlesex (107), Harpenden, Herts 1 (43), Harpenden, Herts 2 (68), Haslemere, Surrey (81), Hatch End, Middlesex (70), Hendon, London 1 (69), Hendon, London 2 (65), Hendon, London 3 (92), Hinckley, Leics (89), Horton, Berks (50), Hounslow, Middlesex (65), Hull (70), Kensington (23), Kenton, Middlesex (65), Kidbrooke (20), Kingston, Surrey (52), Kirkby (39), Knightsbridge (132), Lambeth, London (61), Leicester (12), Lichfield, Staffs 1 (75), Lichfield, Staffs 2 (66), Maidstone (28), Maidenhead (24), Milford, Staffs (61), Milton Keynes (44), Moortown, Leeds (76), New Eltham, London (116), Nottingham (79), Portswood, Southampton (70), Putney, London (34), Redhill, Surrey (30), Royal Earlswood, Surrey (73), Reigate (76), Renfrew (46), Southgate, London (75), Sidcup (52), Slough 1 (52), Slough 2 (94), Solihull (57), Speke (19), Surbiton (72), Teddington (97), Teesside (72), Tunbridge Wells (54), Tingley, Leeds (78), Warrington (86), Warsash, Hants (86), West Dorking (65), West Drayton (50), West Hampstead, London (70), Windsor (70), Wroughton, Wilts (60)
Eight independent preparatory schools: Breaside Preparatory School (London), Ferndale School (Oxon), Harpenden Preparatory School (Herts), Hendon Preparatory School (London), Long Close School (Slough, Berks), Meoncross School (Hants), Polam School (Bedford), Salcombe Preparatory School (London)
Jointly owns: Montessori Centre International and St Nicholas Preparatory School (Central London)
Places: 5,340
Employees: 3,000
Plans: Nine new nurseries opening later this year: Ealing (London), Ellesmere Port, Luton, Manchester 1, Manchester 2, Nottingham, Port Solent, Solihull, Weybridge. The group intends to double its size over the next five years.
Bambinos
Head office: Foot & Bowden Building, 19 The Crescent, Plymouth, Devon PL1 3AD
Tel: 01752 226766 Fax: 01752 226767
Directors: William Lane, Alison Lane
Established: 1993
Owns 3 nurseries: Woolwell (70), Plymouth Centre (65), Plympton (48)
Places: 183
Employees: 53
Barn Hall Montessori Kindergarten
Head office: 158 Main Road, Broomfield, Chelmsford, Essex CM1 5AH
Tel: 01245 442993 Fax: 01787 469463
Director: Ann-Marie Garrett
Established: 1996
Owns 2 nurseries: Chelmsford, Essex (20), Shenfield, Brentwood (16)
Places: 36
Employees: 9
Beechwood Nurseries
Head office: Chaseley House, Shore Road, Skelmorlie, Ayrshire PA17 5EH
Tel: 01475 522311 Fax: 01475 522242
Director: Meg Macleod
Established: 1989
Owns 5 nurseries: Ayrshire Central Hospital, Irvine (122), Kilmarnock (109), Skelmorlie (75), Glasgow Caledonian University (55), Royston (76) - due to open soon.
Places: 437
Employees: 121
Beehive Day Nurseries
Head office: St James Road, Southam, Leamington Spa, Warwickshire CV33 OLY
Tel: 01926 811549 Fax: 01926 811599
Directors: JRM and LC Phillips
Established: 1992
Owns 4 nurseries: Southam (55), Kenilworth (48), Barford, Warwick (45), Rugby (60)
Places: 208
Employees: 65
Plans: To modestly expand those nurseries that are full.
Beehive Nurseries
Head office: 9/11 Allander Walk, Town Centre, Cumbernauld, Glasgow G67 1DW
Tel: 01236 736821
Owners: Margaret Armour, Boyd Houston
Established: 1989
Owns 5 nurseries: University of Stirling Nursery (40), Lauder College Nursery, Dunfermline (55), Falkirk Royal Infirmary (60), Benefits Agency, Falkirk (42), Cumbernauld (96)
Places: 293
Employees: 95
Beeline Nurseries
Head office: Beeline Nurseries, Beehive Kindergarten, Hillberry Road, Onchan, Isle of Man IM3 3JP
Tel: 01624 674655 Fax: 01624 611352
Directors: Richard and Vivienne Welch
Established: 1985
Owns 5 nurseries: The Beehive (72), Shelleig (32), Wind in the Willows baby wing (18), Alice in Wonderland (56), Pig and Pepper baby wing (15) (all in the Isle of Man)
Places: 193
Employees: 40
Plans: Proposed new nursery schools and baby wings in central Douglas and Braddan.
The Birrell Collection
Head office: 7 Blantyre Terrace, Bruntsfield, Edinburgh EH10 5AD
Tel: 0131 447 8887 Fax: 0131 447 4669
Directors: Yvonne Birrell, Christine MacDowel
Established: September 1988
Owns/manages 5 nurseries: Annandale St Lane (60), West End (25), Bruntsfield (39), Queen Margaret University College (59), Princess Margaret Rose Hospital (59) (all in Edinburgh)
Places: 242
Employees: 85
Plans: To build two more nurseries by 2003 in the Edinburgh area.
Bramleys Nurseries
Head office: Bakers Yard, Ardington, Nr Wantage, Oxon OX12 8PT
Tel: 01235 833255 Fax: 01235 864477
E-mail: bramleys@fsbdial.co.uk
Directors: John and Sue Watson
Established: 1990
Owns 8 nurseries: Wantage (42), Wantage (18), Didcot (87), Didcot (30), Horton Hospital, Banbury (53), Bedford Hospital (58), Salisbury (44), Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre, Oxford (49)
Places: 381
Employees: 140
Plans: New 100 place nursery opening April 2002.
Bridges Nurseries
Head office: 323 Broom Hill Road, Aberdeen AB1 7LR
Tel/Fax: 01224 319530
Director: Marie Mogford
Established: 1985
Owns 2 nurseries: Aberdeen (48), Westhill, Aberdeenshire (42)
Places: 90
Employees: 21
Plans: Actively pursuing other acquisitions or developments in Aberdeenshire.
Bright Beginnings
Head office: 2 Polmaise Road, Stirling FK7 9JJ
Tel: 01786 462233 Fax: 01786 472725
Director: John Rae
Established: 1992
Owns 2 nurseries: Stirling (72) (plus 16 out-of-school places), Falkirk (59), plus 15-place baby unit.
Manages: Nursery for Roslin Institute (26)
Places: 172
Employees: 60
Plans: To build more nurseries in Scotland and to further expand into the workplace nursery sector.
Bright Horizons
Head office: 3 Benbow Court, Shenley Church End, Milton Keynes MK5 6JG
Tel: 01908 520820 Fax: 01908 520808
Directors: Richard M Padgett, Dr Stephen Jeffries, Nigel Scofield, Shaun Hallett, Corinna Pinfold
Established: 1997
Owns 14 nurseries: Peatmoor Village Centre, Swindon (100), Bradley Stoke, Bristol (100), Wootton Fields, Northampton (100), Wyndham Lodge, Altrincham (60), Sudbury Hill, North London (100), St Michaels Mead, Bishops Stortford (62), Locking Castle, Weston-super-Mare (100), Bromsgrove, Warwickshire (90), Oldbrook, Milton Keynes (100), Carshalton, Surrey (90), Cheam, Surrey (100), Gloucester (100), Leeds (100), Chorley, Lancs (100), Bedford (100), Portishead (100)
Places: 1,502
Employees: 300
Plans: To build 50-60 nurseries in the next few years.
Bright Horizons Family Solutions (Ireland)
(See also Nurseryworks Family Solutions)
Head office:12 Adelaide St, Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin, Ireland Tel: (00 353 1) 2845066
Fax: (00 353 1) 2845034
Website: www.brighthorizons.com
General manager Ireland: Neil Brown
Operations manager Ireland: Martina Murphy
Established: 1998
Owns 2 nurseries: Dublin (34), Dublin (68)
Places: 102
Employees: 17
Plans: The company is planning to expand further in the Republic.
Bright Kids
Head office: Briarwood, The Slough, Studley, Warwickshire B80 7EN
Tel: 01527 852165, Fax: 01527 85 23 08
Owner: Tricia Tolley
Established: 1999
Owns 1 nursery: Bright Kids Nursery, Studley (49)
1 out-of-school club: Bright Kids Out-of-school Club, Studley (26)
Places: 49
Employees: 22
Plans: A new nursery is to open in September 2001 registered for 38 nursery children and 24 out-of-school children in Crabbs Cross, Redditch.
Bright Start Day Nursery
Head office: 300 Meadowcroft, Aylesbury, Bucks HP19 9HZ
Tel: 01296 422550
Proprietors: Frank Fymruk and Bev Fymruk
Established: 1990
Owns 5 nurseries: Bedgrove, Aylesbury, (65), Wingrave, Bucks (27), Meadowcroft, Aylesbury (50), Long Crendon, Bucks (38), Leighton Buzzard, Beds (56)
Places: 236
Employees: 65
Bringing up Baby
Head office: Lansdowne House,3/7 Northcote Road, London SW11 1NG
Tel: 020 7738 0160, Fax 020 7228 2975
E-mail: office@bringingupbaby.co.uk
Website: www.bringingupbaby.co.uk
Established: 1989
Managing Director: Anne de Zoysa (also trustee of the Daycare Trust). Executive Directors: Sue Woodford, Lord Hollick, Rohan Worrall
Owns 4 nurseries: Brentford (42), Camden (16), Hammersmith, in partnership with Kensington Housing Trust (58), Wembley (25)
Places: 141
Employees: 50
Plans: To open two new sites in London in the next 18 months and to enhance quality provision in existing nurseries. Continue with existing expansion plans for new central London sites and forge new partnerships with employers, housing associations and the local community. Staff development and training continue to be a priority for the company.
Brooklands Day Nurseries
Head office: Brooklands Day Nursery, Rose Hill, Wigan Road, Ashton-in-Makerfield, Wigan WN4 OBS
Tel: 01942 760066 Fax: 01942 760088
Owners: Ivan and Linda Rawlins
Established: 1990
Owns 3 nurseries: Garswood, near Wigan and St Helens (93), Hindley, Wigan (52), Ashton-in-Makerfield, Wigan (73) (all in Lancashire)
Places: 218
Employees: 65
Plans: To expand Hindley and Ashton sites and identify a site for a fourth nursery.
Busy Bees
Head office: The Rom Building, Eastern Avenue, Lichfield, Staffs WS13 6RN
Tel: 01543 416616 Fax: 01543 419144
Website: www.busybees.com
Directors: John Woodward, Margaret Randles, Simon Irons, Lynn Woodward, Dave Thackray, Clare Phizacklea, Sarah Beene
Established: 1983
Owns 13 nurseries: Bernard Street,St Albans (50), Hartham Park, Hertford (44), Hatching Green, Harpenden (70), King Harry Lane, St Albans (105), Leyton Road, Harpenden (55), Mardley Hill, Ware (48),St David's Park, Deeside (100), The Rye, High Wycombe (80), Thorley Park, Bishops Stortford (55), Formby (45), Southport (90), Great Barr, Birmingham (89), Walnut Tree, Milton Keynes (66)
Manages: 24 nurseries: Perivale, Middlesex (50), Wolverhampton (88), Nottingham (100), Streatham, London (26), Taplow, Bucks (60), Milton Keynes (66), Torquay (68), Blackburn (32), Plymouth (48), Southampton (50), Solihull, Birmingham (93), Enfield, Middlesex (44), Hounslow, Middlesex (22), Essex (120), Finchley (75), Farnborough (40), Salisbury (53), Liverpool (58), Longbridge, Birmingham (60), Cowley, Oxon (28), Raynes Park, London (30), Salford (105), Cartwright Street, London (72), Grays, Essex (28)
5 Tesco creches: Watford Kids' Club, Hertfordshire (30), Pitsea Kids' Club, Essex (30), Bury Kids' Club, Lancashire (30), Peterborough Kids' Club (30), Cardiff Kids' Club (30)
1 creche: David Lloyd Leisure, Stevenage (20)
5 after-school and holiday clubs: Lichfield Holiday Scheme, Staffordshire, Lichfield After School Scheme, Staffordshire, Manchester Holiday Scheme, Salford, Liverpool Holiday Scheme
Places: 2,247
Employees: 1,200-plus
Plans: Busy Bees is committed to joint ventures. Busy Bees is contracted to manage nurseries for the Childcare Corporation and a number of investment groups. QEd Education and Training is part of the Busy Bees Group and provides training for the Busy Bees Group and other providers nationally. Busy Bees received funding from Zurich Financial Services for a 50m development of the group's activities. The group recently acquired nine Copperbeech Nurseries based in Herts and Bucks, and the Tibbitots nurseries in Formby and Southport. Further plans include acquisition of single sites and other nursery groups as well as a development of new, purpose-built nurseries owned by the group or developed in partnership with health trusts, universities and other large organisations. During 2001 the Corporate Childcare Voucher activity within the company has significantly increased and plans for further extensive expansion are in place for 2002.
Busy Nought to Fives
Head office: Brimstage Village Hall, Brimstage Road, Bebington, Wirral CH63 6HD
Tel/Fax: 0151 342 8050
Director: Emma Collins
Established: 1992
Owns 5 nurseries: Ashton House, Birchwood, Warrington (36), Brimstage Village Hall, Wirral (30), Napier House, Warrington, Cheshire (36), Old Home Farm, Wirral (27), Great Sankey, Warrington (58)
1 music school for nought to fives: Brimstage, Wirral (30)
1 after-school club: Great Sankey, Warrington for under-eights (40)
Places: 187
Employees: 60
Plans: 112-place nursery due to open in Warrington in the summer. Old Home Farm Nursery to expand to reach 50 places. New 45-place nursery opening in Warrington this summer.
Buttercups
Head office: 18 Woodfield Road, Ealing, London W5 1SH
Tel: 020 8840 4740 Fax: 020 8567 8462
Director: Mrs Carol Whitehouse
Established: 1980
Owns 6 nurseries: Syon Park, Brentford (66), Chiswick (31), Isleworth (40), Florence Road, Ealing (60), Acton (37), West Drayton (36)
Places: 270
Employees: 100
Cannons Day Nurseries
Head office: Cannons House, 40-44 Coombe Road, New Malden, Surrey KT3 4QF
Tel: 020 8336 2288 Fax: 020 8336 1638
Director: Sheryl Grist
Established: 1998
Owns /manages 2 nurseries: Surbiton, Surrey (50), Stoke Poges, Bucks (49)
Places: 99
Employees: 31
Plans: Further nurseries to be opened at relevant new and existing sites.
Careshare
Head office: 10 Magdala Crescent, Edinburgh EH12 5BE
Tel: 0131 623 9500 Fax: 0131 623 9501
Managing Director: Isabel Ridley
Established: 1990
Owns 15 nurseries: Sunnyside Nursery (90), Woodside Nursery (50), Riverside Nursery (36) (all in Livingston), Lochside Nursery (45), Hillview Nursery (60), Beechwood Nursery (45) (all in Edinburgh Business Park), Magdala Nursery (35), Port Hamilton (100), Leith (55) (all in Edinburgh City), Oaklands Nursery, East Kilbride (108), Heritage Nursery (100), Glasgow - to be named (61) (both in Glasgow) Pinewood Nursery, Glenrothes (105), Dundee - to be named (68)
2 after-school clubs: Livingston (24), East Kilbride (24)
Places: 958
Employees: 300
Plans: Additional 550 registered places by year-end.
Caring Daycare
Head office: Pitfold House, Woolmer Hill, Haslemere, Surrey GU27 1QA
Tel: 01428 661960 Fax: 01428 653929
Chief executive: Peter Churchley
Established: 1989
Owns 3 nurseries: Midhurst, West Sussex (38), Haslemere, Surrey (88), Guildford, Surrey (35)
Places: 161
Employees: 50+
Plans: To develop further nurseries in the south east.
Caring Kindergartens
Head office: The Poplars, High Street, Pitsford, Northampton NN6 9AD
Tel: 01604 882241 Fax: 01604 882233
Proprietor: Sonia Carvell
Established: 1992
Owns 5 nurseries: Owl Close, Moulton Park Industrial Estate, Northampton (70), Peterborough Business Park, Peterborough (70), Arnex House, Daventry, Northants (70), Birmingham Road, Stratford-upon-Avon (45), Dybdale House, Hardwick Rd, Wellingborough, Northants (80)
Places: 335
Employees: 65
Plans: The company is continually looking to expand and is currently looking at several possible sites in the Midlands area.
Carousel Nurseries
Head office: Glenfield House, 69 Glasgow Road, Dumbarton G82 1RE
Tel: 01389 732636 Fax: 01389 733133
Directors: Anne Jenkins, Claire Rowan
Established: 1995
Owns 2 nurseries: Dumbarton (54), Alexandria (19) plus one School's Out club, Dumbarton (18)
Places: 73
Employees: 35
Plans: To set up a network of nurseries across the west of Scotland.
Castle Nursery Schools
Head office: 14 South Hill, Guildford, Surrey GU1 3SY
Tel: 01483 533344 Fax: 01483 267679
E-mail: info@daycare.co.uk
Owner: Ian Lambert
Established: 1996
Owns 1 nursery: Castle Nursery, Guildford (34)
Manages: Castle Nursery (36) and creche (24) at Spectrum Leisure Centre, Guildford, and Villas Nursery, Kensington (50, including 25 places sponsored by Kensington and Chelsea Education Authority)
Places: 144
Employees: 28
Catherine House Day Nursery Schools
Head office: 9 St Agnes Road, Moseley, Birmingham B13 9PH
Tel: 0121 449 1444 Fax: 0121 449 1440 Website: www.catherinehouse.co.uk
Managing directors: Rita Howe-Douglas, Matthew Poray
Established: 1987
Owns 6 nurseries: Moseley (60), Northfield (40) (both Birmingham), Walsall (50), Northampton (55), Leamington Spa (58), Brockley, London (49)
Places: 312
Employees: 95
Cedars Nursery
Head office: The Cedars, Ashbrooke, Sunderland SR2 7TW
Tel: 0191 565 2549 Fax: 0191 564 0301
E-mail: amin@sh-advertising.co.uk
Directors: Stewart Hindmarsh, Harry Hindmarsh, Jean Hindmarsh
Established: 1996
Owns 1 nursery: The Cedars Nursery (77)
Places: 77
Employees: 25
Plans: To open The Cedars in Jesmond, Newcastle (100+), and a new site in Durham in 2002 (80+). Always on the lookout for other sites.
Chapman Child Education
Head office: The Access Centre, Bar Lane, Wakefield, West Yorkshire WF1 4AD
Tel: 01924 203200
E-mail: info@cliffschool.com
Websites: www.cliffschool.com
www.silverwoodschool.com
www.frendzclub.com
www.4kidz.tv
www.accesscentre.co.uk
Directors: Edward and Kathleen Wallace
Established: 1995
Owns 3 nurseries: Little Cliff Nursery, Wakefield (30), Silverwood Nursery & Baby Unit, Barnsley (60), Perfect Blue Nursery & Baby Unit, Wakefield (60)
2 pre-prep and preparatory schools: Cliff School, Wakefield and Silverwood School, Barnsley
14 Frendz Clubs (out-of-school childcare facilities): in Knaresborough, Pontefract, York, Wakefield, Barnsley and Hemsworth Early Years & Playwork Training College And Resource Base: Wakefield Early Years Childcare & Playwork Recruitment Agency: West Yorkshire and South Yorkshire
Places: 150
Employees: 110
Plans: Two further nurseries in West and South Yorkshire; integration of training and recruitment of staff with present nurseries and childcare facilities; widen scope of courses on offer to early years practitioners and playworkers; expansion of Frendz Clubs in North, West and South Yorkshire; expansion of recruitment agency in north of England
Cherish Day Nurseries
Head office: Ongar School Campus, Fyfield Road, Ongar, Essex CM5 OAW
Tel: 01277 362255 Fax: 01277 365488
Directors: Steven and Debbie Birch
Established: 1991
Owns 3 nurseries: Ongar (57), Sawbridgeworth (54), High Wych (40)
Places: 151
Employees: 46
The Cherry Nursery Group
Head office: Weybourne House, St Peters, Guildford Road, Ottershaw, Surrey KT16 ORR
Tel/Fax: 01932 874911
Director: Barry Rolfe
Operations manager: Susie Fletcher
Personnel manager: Trisha Fisher
Established: 1993
Owns 6 nurseries: Cherry, Chertsey (53), Cherrywood, Ottershaw (77), Cherrylands, Weybridge (28), Cherrybrook, Addlestone (72), Cherryvale, Ash Vale (98), Mulberry Bush, Sandhurst (36) (all in Surrey)
Places: 364
Employees: 152
Plans: To open two new nurseries per year.
Cherubs Day Nurseries
Head office: Executive House, St Albans Road, Bulwell, Nottingham NG6 9FT
Tel: 0115 979 5975 Fax: 0115 976 4593
Managing director: Susan Mills
Established: 1993
Owns 4 nurseries/pre-schools: Executive House, Bulwell, Nottingham, (nursery, 50) (pre-school, 20), Vale View, Bulwell, Nottingham (nursery, 50), Bulwell, Nottingham (pre-school, 16), Mansfield Woodhouse, Nottingham (school, kindergarten and 50-place nursery); two separate out-of-school facilities at Valeview and Mansfield
Places: 186
Employees: 66
Plans: Have just purchased a 72-place nursery
Child & Co
Head office: Elizabeth House, Reading Road, Wallingford, Oxfordshire OX10 9HA
Tel: 01491 824040 Fax: 01491 824055
Directors: Lesley Millar, Ian Millar
Established: 1991
Owns/manages 11 nurseries: Mount Vernon Nursery School, Northwood, Middlesex (50), Mount Vernon Day Nursery, Northwood, Middlesex (74), Teddies, Harrow, Middlesex (43), Mongewell Park Nursery School, Wallingford, Oxfordshire (69), Great Haseley Nursery School, Oxfordshire (63), Abbeymore Day Nursery School, Reading, Berkshire (63), The Park Nursery,Watford, Herts (63), Talbot Woods Day Nursery, Bournemouth University (48), Talbot Woods Nursery School, Bournemouth University (38), St Mary's Day Nursery, Abingdon (67), Scott'sHouse School, Eynsham Park, Witney, Oxfordshire (120)
Places: 698
Employees: 220
Child Base
Head office: Tickford House, Silver Street, Newport Pagnell, Bucks MK16 OEX
Tel: 01908 211699 Fax: 01908 211698
E-mail: info@childbase.com
Website: www.childbase.com
Established: 1989
Directors: Michael Thompson (managing director), Emma Phillips (operations director), Lynda Gostelow (development director)
Operates 27 nurseries: MeadowView Nursery, Newport Pagnell, Bucks (49), Woodlands Day Nursery, Milton Keynes (64), Lavenders Day Nursery, Bedford (58), Lime Grove Day Nursery, Hemel Hempstead, Herts (59), CedarsDay Nursery, Leighton Buzzard (44), Sandfield Day Nursery, John Radcliffe Hospital, Headington, Oxford (52),Willows Day Nursery, Stoke Mandeville Hospital, Aylesbury (58), Julia Durbin Day Nursery, Churchill Hospital, Headington, Oxford (80), Highfields Day Nursery, Birmingham (80), Oak Ridge Day Nursery, Leicester Royal Infirmary Trust (54), Cherry Trees Day Nursery, Cranfield University, Beds (34), The Pelican Day Nursery, Newbury (50), West Downs Day Nursery, King Alfred's College,Winchester (60), Nene Valley Day Nursery, Northampton (80), Field House Day Nursery, Buckingham (68), Training and Assessment Centre (CBAC), River View Day Nursery, Leicester (70), Sycamore Day Nursery, Farnborough (36), Seabrook Day Nursery, Luton (66), Badgers Day Nursery, Walsworth Road, Hitchin (55), Highbury Lodge Day Nursery, Highbury Road, Hitchin (70), Woodberry Day Nursery, Winchmore Hill (66), Knowle Green Day Nursery, Staines (70),Edwalton Day Nursery, Nottingham (80), Cedar Park Nursery School, Reading (75), Woodlands Nursery School, Barnet (54), Mulberry Day Nursery, Maidenhead (62), Windermere Day Nursery, Kettering (70)
Places: 1,664
Employees: 575
Plans: New nurseries in 2001 at Welwyn Garden City, Chiswick, Finchampstead
The Childcare Corporation
Head office: 6 Lanchesters, 162-166 Fulham Palace Road, Hammersmith, London W6 9ER
Tel: 020 8323 8186 Fax: 020 8323 8321
Directors: Alan Bentley, Malcolm Bacchus, John Woodward, Martin Sherwood
Established: 1999
Owns 6 nurseries: Perivale, Middlesex (50), Nottingham (100), Streatham, London (30), Taplow, Bucks (60), Milton Keynes (66), Torquay (66)
Places: 372
Employees: 60 plus
Plans: The group has raised further funds for a number of acquisitions and development. It is currently planning to open a further 12 nurseries during 2001/2.
Childcare Enterprise
Head office: Childcare Enterprise, 103 East Howard Street, North Shields, Tyne and Wear NE30 1NA
Tel: 0191 200 6162 Fax: 0191 200 6301
National operations manager: Julia Doxford
Established: 1994
Manages 13 nurseries: Stepping Stones (for Aqumen Facilities Management Company) Newcastle-upon-Tyne (46), Peter Bennett Nursery (for HM Customs and Excise) Leeds (35), Ducklings Nursery (for Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food) York (44), Little Rascals (for Durham District Land Registry) Durham (52), Fledglings Nursery (for RAF) Wyton (30), The Groves Nursery (for Bromley Social Services) Bromley (50), Sandmartins Nursery (for Central Science Laboratory) Sand Hutton, York (38), Deansgate Nursery (for HM Customs and Excise) Wolverhampton (20), Macklin Street Nursery (for BBC World Service) London (27), NEC Playhouse (for the NEC) Birmingham (35), Robin's Wood Nursery (for Nottingham Land Registry) Nottingham (50), Howdon Sure Start Nursery (for Howdon Sure Start Partnership) Newcastle Upon Tyne (30), RAF Innsworth Gloucester (26)
4 playschemes: BBC World Service holiday playscheme, London (16),Inland Revenue playscheme, London (40), NEC Birmingham playscheme (16),Inland Revenue playscheme,Longbenton (60)
Places: 483
Employees: 250
Plans: Expansion programme for the next three years.
Childcare Partners/ Buffer Bear Nurseries
Head office: The Hospitium, Valpy St, Reading, Berkshire RG1 1AR
Tel: 0118 950 3200 Fax: 0118 956 0338
Managing Director: Dr Kay Turner
Established: 1994
Owns/manages 19 nurseries: Acton (73), Bristol (72), Mayday Hospital, Croydon (61), Elstree (29), Newcastle (90), Oxford (60), Reading (102), Sutton (64), Children's Trust, Tadworth (52), Watford (55), West Drayton (40), Barts and The London, Whitechapel (50), Wimbledon (57), and in Westminster: Bessborough (100), Carlton Hill (53), Katharine Bruce (59), St Jude's (45), St Stephens (59), Warwick (48)
Places: 1,169
Employees: 350
Plans: Training and development plus nursery expansion programme in place for 2001/2002.
Childlink Learning Centre
Head office: The Phygtle, Chalfont St Peter, Buckinghamshire SL9 OJT
Tel: 01494 871908 Fax: 01494 876225
Directors: Lynn Kirby, Julia Wilkinson
Established: 1991
Owns 2 nurseries: Harefield, Middlesex (40), Chalfont St Peter, Bucks (46)
Places: 86
Employees: 24
Plans: Planning to develop the business and expand training.
Children's Corner Group of Nurseries
Head office: 29 Clare Road, Halifax, West Yorkshire HX1 2JP
Tel: 0113 2300757
E-mail: lad.ccg@cwcom.net
Proprietor: Lesley A Dawson
Owns 5 nurseries: Children's Corner, Verity House, Granary Wharf, Leeds (27), Children's Corner, Headingley, Leeds (20), Children's Corner Nursery/Creche, White Rose Shopping Centre, Leeds (50),Child's Play Day Nursery, Halifax (45), Children's Corner, Northowram, Halifax (37)
Places: 179
Employees: 55
Plans: Continued consolidation and looking at further expansion in West Yorkshire area.
The Children's Place
Head office: The Poplars, Free School Lane, Halifax, West Yorkshire HX1 2YE
Tel/Fax: 01422 329030
Directors: Karen Walker, Deborah Burke
Established: 1991
Owns 5 nurseries: Bradford (27), Halifax (45), Ravensthorpe (33), Scarborough (30), Dewsbury (30, plus a 24-place holiday play scheme)
Places: 165
Employees: 68
Plans: We have expressed interest in the Neighbourhood Nurseries initiative.
Christopher Robin Day Nurseries
Head office: 31 Claremont Avenue, Woking, Surrey GU22 7SF
Tel: 01483 757507
Director: Penny Owen
Established: 1986
Owns 4 nurseries: Woking (44), Merrow, Guildford (47), Burpham, Guildford (38), Cranleigh (42), and a Montessori training college, Montessori Centre International (Surrey), established in 1995
Places: 171
Employees: 61
Claremont Nurseries
Head office: 32/34 Heriothill Terrace, Edinburgh EH7 4DY
Tel: 0131 557 9907 Fax: 0131 477 3574
E-mail: liz@claremontchildcare.co.uk,Website: www.claremontchildcare.co.uk
Director: Liz Gallacher
Established: May 1988
Owns 2 nurseries: Heriothill, Edinburgh (75), Claremont, Edinburgh (40)
Places: 115
Employees: 28
Plans: Looking for other nursery sites.
Complete Childcare
Head office: Brook House, Longbrook Lane, Lympstone, Devon EX8 5BE
Tel: 01395 277977 Fax: 01395 266188
Directors: Kenneth Livingston, Carole Livingston
Established: 1982
Owns 3 nurseries: Woodlands nr Newbury (90), Happitots nr Wokingham (83), Northumberland, Reading (62), together with 2 after-school/holiday clubs (all in Thames Valley)
Places: 235
Employees: 86
Plans: Nursery projects in Thames Valley.
Coombe Valley
Head office: Old Tree Lodge, Trebursye, Launceston, Cornwall PL15 7ET
Tel: 01566 776846 Fax: 01566 776835
E-mail: cve@coombevalley.com
Directors: Sue Ranson, Charles Ranson, Stephen Gregg
Established: 1990
Owns 3 nurseries: Old Tree Nursery, Launceston (36); Launceston College Nursery, Launceston (26) (both in Cornwall), Pentrebach Nursery, Merthyr Tydfil (40)
Places: 102
Employees: 26
Plans: The imminent opening of a fourth nursery in Devon and discussions to open a fifth nursery in the north of England.
Countryside Nurseries
Head office: Tythe Barn, Dean Lane, Cookham Dean, Berks SL6 9BB
Tel: 01628 476153 Fax: 01628 481815
Director: Angela Palmer-Moore
Established: 1991
Owns 5 nurseries: Cookham Dean (24), Treetops Nursery, Henley-on-Thames, Oxon (38), Willow Tree, Flackwell Heath, Bucks (25), Little Willows, Flackwell Heath, Bucks (33), The Beeches, Burnham, Bucks (36)
Places: 156
Employees: 50
Cranbrook Group Nursery Schools
Head office: Ye Olde Post Office, Antlands Lane East, Shipley Bridge, Burstow, Surrey RH6 9TE
Tel: 01293 772561/823279
Fax: 01293 823279/01293 772971
Director: Maureen Luxford
Established: 1940
Owns 8 nurseries: The Farmhouse, Charlwood, Surrey (24hrs, 48), The Children's House, Charlwood, Surrey (32), The Lodge, Horley, Surrey (24),Ivy Cottage, Horley, Surrey (41), Ye Olde Post Office, Horley, Surrey (29), Acorn Cottage, Horley, Surrey (30), Buttercup Barn, Balcombe, West Sussex (20), Bumpkin Barn, Balcombe, West Sussex (8), and an after-school club - Cats Club, Horley, Surrey (32)
Places: 232
Employees: 100
Plans: New nursery at Heathrow, summer 2001, 3 new nurseries in West Sussex, autumn 2001.
Creche-n-Co
Head office: Office D1, Hopwood Hall College, Rochdale Road, Middleton, Manchester M24 6XH
Tel/Fax: 0161 643 4747
Directors: Lorraine Darlington, Marilyn Prescott
Established: 1989
Owns/manages 3 nurseries: Fairfields, Bury, Lancs (48), Rochdale College (46, plus 50 place holiday playscheme), Hopscotch, Middleton, Manchester (24). Also provides childcare services for corporate events and exhibitions and holiday playschemes.
Places: 118
Employees: 38
Plans: Further nurseries opening summer 2001 and expansion of childcare services.
Crystal Childcare
Head office: 202 Venner Rd, Sydenham, London SE26 5HT
Tel: 020 8659 6417 Fax: 020 8659 6712
Directors: Lorraine Duffy, Paul Duffy, Sheila Horton
Established: 1988
Owns 3 nurseries: Sydenham, London (24), Upper Norwood, London (20), Anerley, London (34)
Places: 78
Employees: 30
Plans: To expand an existing site - also looking for new sites for further expansion. Setting up a separate training organisation.
Cygnets Education and Childcare
Head office: School House, Broad Street, Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire CV37 6HN
Tel: 01789 204181 Fax: 01789 414191
Website: www.cygnetsonline.co.uk
Director: Linda Findon
Established: 1982
Owns 2 nurseries: Cygnets Kindergarten, Stratford-upon-Avon (26), Alveston Cygnets, Stratford-upon-Avon (27), plus 12-place baby unit
Places: 65
Employees: 16
Plans: Diversification into related fields.
* Dolphin Nurseries
Head office: 5 Burgess Mews, Wycliffe Road, Wimbledon, London SW19 1 UF
Tel: 020 8542 7200 Fax: 020 8542 7265
Website: www.earlyworld.co.uk
Directors: Martin Pace, Alnur Dhanani, Ole Bettum, Fritz Ternofsky
Established: 2000
Owns 1 nursery: Upminster, Essex (42)
Places: 42
Employees: 20
Plans: Three further nurseries in development at present in Essex, South and Central London. Funding in place to open 10 nurseries in the south east over the next four years.
* Denotes entries that are new for this issue of Nursery Chains
