Staffordshire nursery group expands portfolio with seven-site acquisition

LICHFIELD children’s nursery group Busy Bees has expanded its UK operation with a new acquisition in the East Midlands.

The company, which is the largest childcare provider in the UK, has purchased Leicestershire-based Bush Babies Nursery Group in an undisclosed deal.

Bush Babies operates seven nurseries in the region, which collectively offer 465 registered places for children aged from three months to five years.

The acquisition means the Busy Bees portfolio now extends to 257 nurseries. Currently the group employs and trains more than 7,700 staff and provides exemplary care for over 30,000 children.

Marg Randles, managing director of Busy Bees, said: “We are delighted to welcome the Bush Babies group into the Busy Bees family. Every nursery in the portfolio is already providing exceptional outcomes for children and we are all really looking forward to working with the extremely talented teams in place.

“It is an absolute pleasure to work with such experienced managers and devoted staff, all of whom will continue to play the most important role, providing quality care for the children in partnership with their families. Meanwhile we will be working very closely with the management team to ensure this transition is as seamless as possible for everyone involved.”

Bush Babies’ founder and director, Jane Brailsford, who has been involved in the business since it began in 1992, said: “Over the past 24 years we have built upon an incredibly successful nursery business in the Midlands. It has been an incredible journey and a fantastic team effort from everyone involved.

“We were understandably precious about who we sold the business to, but I believe that in Busy Bees we are handing over the reins to someone who can continue Bush Babies ethos and build upon the success we have achieved. I’d like to thank everyone who has helped us along the way, and I wish Bush Babies and Busy Bees every success in the future.”