Since the last issue of Nursery Chains six months ago, we have seen a flurry of activity among the larger groups, resulting in two clear market leaders.
The merger of the nursery division of Asquith Court Schools with Kidsunlimited, previously the largest and seventh groups in the UK and Ireland respectively, completed in September, created the Nursery Years Group, which has entered the league table in the top spot with 10,336 places. However, both chains will continue to trade under their respective brands.
Private education company Nord Anglia has continued its run of acquisitions by buying 28 Jigsaw nurseries which, added to its purchase of Leapfrog in May, consolidates its second place. The company's nursery business has grown dramatically. This time last year the group was in eighth position with 34 nurseries and 2,832 places. It now has 103 settings and 9,833 places.
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