South East-based nursery group doubles in size
Nicole Weinstein
Tuesday, October 15, 2019
Wise Owls in Berkshire has acquired three new nurseries, while groups across the country have also expanded.
Wise Owls Childcare, which runs three nurseries in the Berkshire area, has taken on three more settings.
They are Wise Owls Nursery School at Shurlock Row in Reading, Maidenhead Day Nursery, formerly Pixies Day Care, and Beanstalk Nursery and Day Care in Oxfordshire.
The nursery group saved the Maidenhead nursery from closure over the summer, taking on the existing staff. The nursery rents the space in a local leisure centre.
The most recent acquisition is Beanstalk, a 35-place setting, with a ‘good’ Ofsted rating, catering for children from six weeks old to five years of age.
Buyer and director of Wise Owls Childcare, Tanya Galitzine-Scott said, ‘I can’t wait it, it’s such a gingerbread house setting, I love it.’
Wise Owls Childcare also runs four after-school clubs in Maidenhead, each providing care for up to 65 children a day each; three breakfast clubs and two holiday clubs.
Meanwhile, Kids Planet Day Nurseries has acquired Nutkins Nursery in Greater Manches
ter (right), taking it to 44 settings.
The 80-place family-run nursery and after-school club, which opened its doors in 1999, is located in Eccles, a sought-after, thriving part of Salford.
Zarina Halsall has made the decision to sell after dedicating over 20 years to the business.
She said, ‘The time is right for a new chapter in my life. I feel that Kids Planet will be able to continue the high-quality childcare we have achieved at Nutkins and offer the staff great opportunities for growth and development within a family run company. I know the staff and children will be in safe hands and I wish them all the very best for the future and the exciting times ahead.’
This latest acquisition means that Kids planet provides care to more than 5,600 children.
Sofia Beck, Associate director at Christie & Co, said, ‘Nutkins Nursery is an excellent match for Kids Planet’s growing portfolio, as they already have two other settings in the local area.’
Kids Planet was established by Clare Roberts and her father John Hoban in 2008 and has grown over the last decade to become one of the largest nursery groups in the UK.
Finally, Little Orchard Montessori, which has three nurseries in Devon, has bought Hobby Horse Day Nursery.
The 42-place nursery, which was established in 2002 by Mr and Mrs Phillips, is based in Plympton. The setting is split over three floors and has an all-weather outside area. The vendors have decided to sell the nursery in order to start their retirement.
