Nursery group launches nationwide expansion
Manchester based nursery firm the Kids Planet has made its first acquisition outside the UK.
The company has acquired Chesterfield based nursery group, Excellence in Childcare (EIC), taking the total number of nurseries within the Kids Planet group to 38.
Excellence in Childcare began in 2009 when the vendor Natalie Johnson opened her first nursery in Newbold, Chesterfield.
Over the last decade the group has seen year on year success.
The group of five nurseries has a combined capacity of 420 places, caring for children up to the age of five.
One nursery provides an after school and holiday club service that looks after children up to 12 years old.
Natalie Johnson said: “I would just like to thank Redwoods Dowling Kerr for making the sale process of our group of nurseries seamless from start to finish.
“I chose Redwoods as I bought my first nursery from them 10 years ago and was very pleased with the purchase process and professionalism.
“I am so glad I made that decision as I would not have met Jenna Caldwell. Jenna has been amazing, beyond words, I will never be able to thank her enough. Jenna understood that selling excellence in childcare group was a mixture of emotions for me.”
She added: “Jenna understood that the nurseries had been my life for the last ten years and that even though it was the right decision for me to sell it was a very emotional one.
“Jenna supported me daily and I will never be able to thank her enough for that. Jenna works tirelessly everyday including late nights and weekends ensuring that everything is dealt with effectively and efficiently.”
Clare Roberts, chief executive of Kids Planet, said: “We are thrilled to be adding this group of five to our family of nurseries at Kids Planet.
“This will be our first acquisition outside of the North West increasing our total settings to 38 and is the start of our plans to become a national childcare operator.
“We are really looking forward to working with the already established team and building on the high quality developed by Natalie and them over the last 10 years.
“We can see a lot of synergies in terms of how our companies work and are really excited about this acquisition as we continue to grow.”
Director of Childcare for Redwoods Dowling Kerr Jenna Caldwell said: “I am so thrilled for Natalie.
“After ten years of pure dedication to the sector, she can now concentrate on her new business venture, safe in the knowledge that her nursery group will continue to thrive under the ownership of Kids Planet.”
“Natalie came to us as after having another agent appraise the business as she knew we were the market leaders in childcare and were best placed to find her the right buyer for the maximum price.”
