Nursery World - Busy Bees buys Australian nursery group

Busy Bees is expanding into the Australian market by acquiring Foundation Early Learning, a group of 30 nurseries.

The UK’s largest nursery group said the deal was expected to complete by 30 June.

Set up in 2008, Foundation Early Learning is a group of 30 private nurseries caring for around 3,500 children across Australia.

Busy Bees will acquire the company from its existing founder and private equity backed shareholders, including Australian-based Blue Sky Private Equity. The deal is subject to Australian Foreign Investor Review Board Approval.

Commenting on the acquisition, Simon Irons, group CEO of Busy Bees, said, ‘Over the last 35 years we have been dedicated to providing outstanding opportunities for children to give them the very best start in life. We see Australia as a perfect place to continue to realise this ambition. Foundation Early Learning has a strong management team with a vision and core values consistent with our own and committed to grow to enable more children the opportunity to have the best start in life. We are delighted to welcome the families, the staff and most of all the children into the Busy Bees family.’

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