The group has been in partnership with Barclays since 2012 and has used the bank's funding to almost double in size – growing from 31 settings to 59 today.
Treetops most recent acquisition was the Kindercare group of nurseries, a family-run business across ten sites based in Yorkshire.
This has propelled the group into the top five largest nursery chains in the UK, with more than 4,000 childcare places.
Clare Wilson, group finance director of Treetops, said, ‘Barclays Bank were instrumental in our previous concerted acquisition phase, almost doubling the portfolio from 31 to 59 sites in just four short years.
‘Our plans for the next 12 months are two-fold. Treetops Nurseries will continue to be highly acquisitive and seek out relevant opportunities for exploration and potential purchase.
‘In tandem, we will welcome the recently acquired Kindercare nurseries and their teams into the organisation, combining our knowledge and resources and sharing best practice. The Kindercare estate enjoys a fantastic reputation for childcare in Harrogate, Leeds and York and we are keen to build on that success and work with the staff to impart all of the intelligence and insight that has helped us to secure a top five position in the UK nursery league tables.’
‘We have a finely tuned approach to acquisition. It’s all about balance and integrity. With continued investment in our people and training plus the right opportunities, there is no limit to what we can achieve.
Ms Wilson added that Barclays' knowledge of the nursery sector made them, ‘the natural choice for our future growth.’
Commenting on the extension of the free entitlement to 30 hours she said, ‘There is huge value in allowing all three- to four-year-olds access to at least 15 hours a week of funded childcare provision. Expanding what has already been a successful initiative can, in theory, only be a positive. That said, the funding value must be right and I think that many in the industry would join me in saying that we’re not quite there yet.’
