The Family First children’s nursery group has now grown to 30 nurseries following the acquisition of the Rosewood Montessori, Just Imagine and Fount nurseries.
This milestone has been achieved in just over two years, despite the challenges caused by the Covid pandemic, making it one of the fastest growing nursery groups in the UK.
CEO Ollie Humphries said: “We are on a mission to become the best quality childcare provider in the country and have been seeking like-minded businesses or ones where there is opportunity for further growth in nursery places. Our latest acquisitions underline our desire to continue adding quality locations to our growing portfolio of brands.”
Director of Operations and Childcare Dianne Lumsden-Earle added: “I’m delighted to welcome the teams and families from our new nurseries to Family First. I’m excited that these nurseries have joined our family as they fit our ethos and beliefs about giving children and families the highest quality of childcare, with an ambition to be outstanding wherever we operate.”
Just Imagine has five nurseries in Essex: in Colchester, Maldon, Vange and two in Wickford, with a total of 221 nursery places, extending the Family First footprint out of London and beyond the M25. Rosewood Montessori is a 45-place nursery in Ruislip and the Fount nursery has 88 places in Hackney.
Just Imagine Co-Director Mike Springett explained his company’s decision to sell to Family First: “After considering a number of options before us we became convinced that the ethos, ambitions and achievements of Family First would ensure a bright future for Just Imagine Nurseries. We are thrilled that our children, families and staff remain in safe hands and wish everyone success in the coming years.”
Sophie Willcox and David Eaves, Directors at Christie & Co, who handled these sales, commented: “We are delighted to have worked for the Directors of the Just Imagine group and Rosewood Montessori in finding them the perfect home for their nurseries.
“These were competitive processes, highlighting again that quality single settings and small groups are in high demand and achieving premium sale prices as a result. We wish Family First the best of luck for the future with these nurseries and are delighted to have helped them reach 30 settings.”