Rosevale Holdings sells its 12 Surrey nurseries to UK’s largest childcare provider

Posted: 10/06/2014

Privately-owned Rosevale Holdings, which trades under the names of Caring Daycare, Major Minors and Noah’s Ark, has sold its 12 Surrey nurseries to Busy Bees, a Staffordshire-headquartered nursery chain which describes itself as the UK’s largest childcare provider.

Penningtons Manches LLP and Roffe Swayne Chartered Accountants advised Peter and Chris Churchley, Rosevale Holdings’ owners, on the sale which is the largest this year in terms of both portfolio value and capacity in the childcare sector.

The 12 settings, a mixture of leasehold and freehold properties, are located in prime London commuter-belt territory and add 848 places to Busy Bees’ growing UK portfolio. The company now operates 238 nurseries and employs more than 7,600 staff.

The nurseries were put up for sale by the owners as they are planning their retirement. Peter Churchley said: “After 14 years we feel the time is right to let the business continue its development within a larger professional organisation which will support the nurseries’ rise to the next level. We chose Busy Bees because they are still managed on a day-to-day basis by members of the founding families and have a genuine and sincere commitment to delivering the highest possible standards of childcare.”

The Penningtons Manches corporate team in Guildford was led by Simon Bickerdike, who commented: “Rosevale had created a regional childcare business with a reputation second to none and our role to advise on the completion of the transaction to meet the required deadline was achieved with the organisation and drive of Peter and Chris and with the collaboration of Mark Leigh and the team at Roffe Swayne”.

The final sale price was undisclosed.

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