Nursery group back in family hands thanks to bank loan
Children’s nursery group Kids Allowed has gone back into family ownership thanks to a new funding package.
The firm, based in Greater Manchester and Cheshire, has confirmed new funding that will support the opening of two new nurseries and return the company to that of a family-owned business.
Kids Allowed was set up in 2003 when founder and chief executive Jennie Johnson couldn’t find childcare that wowed her following the birth of her second child.
Across a network of eight centres, children from birth to aged 10 are provided with care, education and stimulation, including off-site visits, freshly cooked food and a unique play-based learning philosophy.
Mental health activities such as yoga and happy breathing exercises are just a selection of the activities in which the children participate.
Triodos Bank, one of the world’s leading sustainable banks, is providing part of the funding.
Triodos lends solely to organisations delivering positive social, environmental or cultural impact. The package is the bank’s first multi-million pound loan in this sector.
Phillip Bate, senior relationship manager at Triodos, said: “As a values-based bank we aim to finance organisations that promote people’s quality of life. Kids Allowed is an excellent fit with our values and mission.
“We have been impressed by their focus on social inclusion, reducing environmental impact and providing market leading support for staff, including sick pay and private health care.”
Jennie Johnson said: “Our focus continues to be on providing a unique and outstanding experience for every child as well as for parents.
“In order to make Kids Allowed a reality fifteen years ago, we needed investors. This new finance has enabled Kids Allowed to become a fully owned family business which has always been the intention.
“The Kids Allowed family are very much looking forward to the next fifteen years of making children happy.
“We have specifically chosen to work with Triodos Bank as they understand our needs and values which is fundamental to everything that Kids Allowed stands for.”
