Nursery World - Thinking big (1)

What are the 20 largest nursery groups in the UK up to? Alison Mercer on who did what in the past six months In Nursery Chains' first ever league table of the 20 largest nursery groups in the UK and Ireland, Asquith Court was number one. Much else has changed since the table was first compiled 18 months ago, but that has not. The group has remained in the top spot, growing steadily and staying several steps ahead of the others no matter how rapidly they expand.

In Nursery Chains' first ever league table of the 20 largest nursery groups in the UK and Ireland, Asquith Court was number one. Much else has changed since the table was first compiled 18 months ago, but that has not. The group has remained in the top spot, growing steadily and staying several steps ahead of the others no matter how rapidly they expand.

In summer 2001 Asquith Court provided 5,340 places; that has now grown to 5,998, and the company looks set to grow more quickly still over the next 18 months. In June this year, it announced that it had set up a joint venture with Jarvis, the international facilities management group, to develop and operate purpose-built nurseries. This initiative is likely to see Asquith Court running nurseries that have been built by Jarvis on school sites that are being redeveloped through the Private Finance Initiative. The joint venture is also exploring the possibility of working with early years development and childcare partnerships to develop Neighbourhood Nurseries.

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