Hot on the heels of Bright Horizons Family Solutions' acquisition of Kinderquest, Busy Bees has snapped up the Lancashire-based Kindercare Childcare Centres group (see News, page 4), taking it to number 2 in the league table of biggest chains. These two major sales could be the start of a flurry of mergers and acquisitions as the large chains beef up their share of the private daycare market and try to extend their geographical reach. For the owners of medium-sized groups, it is a chance to realise the financial benefits of their hard work in establishing their businesses, and take on a prominent role in a bigger chain, while retaining the identity of their original nurseries as Kindercare will do under its new ownership.
Hot on the heels of Bright Horizons Family Solutions' acquisition of Kinderquest, Busy Bees has snapped up the Lancashire-based Kindercare Childcare Centres group (see News, page 4), taking it to number 2 in the league table of biggest chains.
These two major sales could be the start of a flurry of mergers and acquisitions as the large chains beef up their share of the private daycare market and try to extend their geographical reach. For the owners of medium-sized groups, it is a chance to realise the financial benefits of their hard work in establishing their businesses, and take on a prominent role in a bigger chain, while retaining the identity of their original nurseries as Kindercare will do under its new ownership.
Whether you work in a large group, an individual nursery, in a school or in a home setting, there's plenty to help you improve your skills and service in this week's Nursery World. And if you are a playworker, the latest edition of our supplement, Out of School, free with this week's issue, is especially for you. Whatever the setting you're in, it's quality that matters most for both children and parents.
