Nursery World - Nursery Chains: Editor's view (1)

In the 12 months since Nursery Chains was last published, nursery groups have been living with the twin challenges of implementing the Early Years Foundation Stage and the economic crisis.

Though the financial situation has not been easy, most nursery chains seemed to have coped remarkably well. The majority of our Top 20 groups have increased the number of places they offer, some organically, as well as a couple of major acquisitions - Bright Horizons Family Solutions buying Teddies and Just Learning snapping up Nunu.

On page 4, we look at how one nursery chain can be assimilated into another as smoothly as possible, talking to senior managers of Busy Bees, Bright Horizons and Complete Childcare. And on page 6, you'll find our profile of Casterbridge Nurseries, a group which has expanded to 26 settings over the past five years, both launching and acquiring nurseries.

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