Nursery group expands with acquisition of Merseyside operator

Lymm-based nursery group, Kids Planet, has expanded with the multimillion-pound acquisition of a Merseyside operator.

Waverton House Day Nursery, based in Liverpool, operates four locations, in Wavertree, Knowsley Safari Park, Whiston and Kirkby.

The business was founded by Tracey Jenkins in 2013, on the back of 20 years’ experience in the childcare sector.

The four sites have a combined capacity for 342 children, with one rated ‘Outstanding’ and the others rated ‘Good’ by Ofsted.

Redwoods Dowling Kerr (RDK) represented Waverton House in the deal with Kids Planet, which was established in 2008 by Clare Roberts and her father, John Hoban.

Multiple bids were secured for the business by RDK, but Tracey said she felt that Kids Planet was the right buyer to continue her legacy.

Tracey said: “I’ve been exploring what my next stage in life might be and this felt that the time was right for myself and family to begin a new chapter and a much needed chance to pause and reflect on all I have achieved.

“RDK supported myself in identifying a buyer that had similar family values and qualities as my own nurseries and I felt that Kids Planet had a synergy that I could identify with.”

Childcare broker, Sarah Ellison, worked on the deal, and said: “Over the 10 years Tracey has built up four successful day nurseries and these have now been sold to one of the UK’s largest nursery providers, Kids Planet Day Nurseries, to continue the success for many more years to come.

“We are confident that Waverton House Day Nursery will be a great addition to Kids Planet.”

Kids Planet co-founder, Clare Roberts, is the key speaker at the next TheBusinessDesk.com Women In Business networking lunch, being held at Manchester Hall on November 3.

To book, please click here.