London-based N Family Club has bought nursery group Red Balloon which operates Ofsted outstanding settings in Cobham, Ockham and Weybridge. Together the three nurseries provide 186 childcare places.
The acquisition of Red Balloon, which was founded in 2004 by Abby Auty and Caroline Ganjou, follows the opening of a new setting in Stratford this month and two nurseries in Stoke Newington and Twickenham by N Family Club in December.
N Family Club will continue to grow this year with the opening of an extra 10 nurseries. The group’s plan is to focus its expansion across London and the Home Counties, targeting high-quality existing independent settings and small groups.
Speaking about the latest acquisition, the founder of N Family Club Phil Sunderland said, ‘I’m so excited to be welcoming Red Balloon’s three outstanding nurseries. Caroline and Abby have built an incredible business and a really high calibre team over the last 17 years, and their commitment to delivering education and customer service at the highest level was immediately obvious as soon as we walked through the doors. It’s been a fantastically collaborative process, and we want to continue the legacy of what they’ve built.’
Sarah Mackenzie, N Family Club’s chief education and people officer, who started her early years career at Red Balloon 15 years ago, added, ‘I am thrilled about this acquisition. Red Balloon is particularly special to me as my experience there convinced me that early years was the right career for me.’
