Active Learning, which opened its first 92-place flagship nursery in Hornsey last October, has raised an initial 10m from William Pears Group, a private company specialising in property investment and venture capital, to finance up to ten nurseries over seven years. Next year will see the opening of three Active Learning nurseries in West Hampstead, Guildford and Fulham.
Major shareholders in the business include the co-founders of Teddies nursery group, Amanda Johnson and Nick Botterill, and property developer Edward Cahn.
Bill Zuckerman, ex-Ernst & Young partner, and founder and chairman of the company, said, 'The 10m will be used for equity capital. We will require more finance on a site-by-site basis and we are trying to raise as much bank debt as possible.
'We will buy freehold and leasehold property, but will not grow larger than 15, as we don't believe you can control the quality otherwise.'
The flapship's new purpose-designed building is set in three acres, and incorporates performing arts, art and science studios. Specialist teachers are employed to cover science and technology, the arts and sport.
Mr Zuckerman said, 'The concept behind Active Learning is to "bring the outdoors in" and put more emphasis on healthy childhood development, providing solid pre-school education but within a more creative environment. To ensure consistency in quality, all specialist staff - apart from the ballet teacher and some of the sports coaches - are employed by us.'
For more information visit www.active-learn.co.uk.
