The chain has three nurseries in Hatfield Peverel, Kelvedon and Witham, registered for 167 places. New owners Stephen and Melanie Field own four other nurseries in Colchester - the Old School House Kindergarten, Holly Corner Montessori Kindergarten, Constantine Nursery and Chestnut House Kindergarten - which are registered for a total of 214 places.
But Mr Field told Nursery World that the Colchester nurseries would retain their own individual identities and would not be 're-badged'.
'We don't want some sort of overarching name,' he said. 'We don't believe in a common brand. Each nursery is self-standing within the community it exists in. We'll probably keep the Pelican name, but we find there is a strong brand loyalty to individual nurseries.'
He said he did not believe in a 'heavy-handed' management style. 'We want our managers to run their own businesses.'
The existing Colchester nurseries are: The Old School House Kindergarten, Holly Corner Montessori Kindergarten, Constantine Nursery and Chestnut House Kindergarten, a new build, which opened in March this year and is registered for 88 places.
They are open from 8.30am to 3pm, but Mr Field said the Pelican Nurseries would continue to provide full daycare.
The Pelican nurseries will be refurbished and there is potential to expand the number of places.
'We have plans to expand the business and are on the lookout for acquisitions and new builds,' Mr Field said.
