Features

Nursery Chains 2022: Overview - Gaining ground

Activity remains buoyant in the childcare market, with many large chains snapping up single-site settings and small groups. But a mixed picture remains in terms of market recovery, Nicole Weinstein reports
Atherton House has launched a recruitment arm
Atherton House has launched a recruitment arm

Aplethora of transactions have taken place in the past 12 months, with multiple growth across the sector from small to large acquisitions. New buyers have entered, regional groups have expanded and private-equity investments have fuelled appetite in the marketplace.

But despite signs of recovery for many nursery groups, owners are still facing daily operational challenges over staffing, particularly with Covid-related absences.

CHILDCARE MARKET

On a positive note, the investment outlook for the childcare market has rebounded to pre-pandemic levels.

Property specialist Christie & Co reports that the past year saw a ‘tsunami of interest’ from prospective buyers, with childcare and education business transactions rising by 21 per cent from 2020 to 2021, a 5 per cent increase on 2019.

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