Nursery group with capacity for nearly 500 children is acquired

Yorkshire-based Twinkles Nursery Group has been sold to Kids Planet for an undisclosed sum.

The group has six purpose-built facilities in North and West Yorkshire; around Leeds city centre, and in the neighbouring towns of Knaresborough, Wetherby, and Boston Spa.

The group provides a total effective operating capacity for 482 children, along with 56 out of school places. Its sale was handled by specialist property advisor Christie & Co.

Having recently acquiring The Kinderhaven Group, Rainbow Nursery School in Yorkshire and now Twinkles Nursery Group, Kids Planet has a strong foothold in the region and a platform from which to further grow.

Managing director of Twinkles Nursery Group, Jill Smith, said: “I have been operating nurseries for almost 21 years and have organically developed Twinkles gradually over that time, starting the first nursery in 2001 when my daughter was a baby.

“I know Twinkles will continue to strive in the very capable hands of Clare and Kids Planet, and I look forward to seeing further growth.”

CEO of Kids Planet, Clare Roberts, said: “We are excited to be growing our position in Yorkshire, given our recent acquisitions of Kinder Haven Group and Rainbows Day Nursery, allowing us to offer families the best childcare available in their hometowns.

“With Twinkles being a family-run business just like ours, we believe they will transition into Kids Planet perfectly, upholding the same values and ideals we pride ourselves on.”

The sale was handled by Courteney Donaldson and Nick Brown at Christie & Co.

Donaldson, managing director, added: “This is an exceptional business, and we were pleased to be invited by Jill to lead a formal, albeit highly confidential sale.

“Jill has continually looked to expand and grow her business and, even during the short sales process, just 56 working days from Heads of Agreement being signed, Jill secured a new organic development opportunity.”