Christie & Co sell group of nurseries in Doncaster to Just Childcare

St Mary’s Day Nursery and Small World Day Nursery are both Ofsted rated ‘Outstanding’ with a combined effective operating capacity for 242 children, providing exceptional childcare for ages 0-5. Located just ten miles apart in Bessacarr and Hatfield, respectively, St Mary’s and Small World have established excellent reputations within the local area. 

 
The substantial settings are fully managed by experienced staff teams and offer extensive facilities for children, including well equipped and enclosed garden spaces.
 
Having established the nurseries 15 years ago, after struggling to find quality day care for their own children, the previous owners, Jonathon & Donna Woodhead decided to sell in order to retire from the sector and focus on other business interests. They comment, “After 15 fantastic years building the nurseries from humble beginnings to the successful and outstanding establishments that they are today, we have decided it is our time to step down and hand over the reins. We have many wonderful memories and would like to thank all of the staff who have a real passion for childcare and parents past and present who have helped make the nurseries what they are today."

Having been purchased by Just Childcare, an expanding regional group operator, the two nurseries will bring their portfolio to a total of 55 settings across the North West, Yorkshire and South West of England. David Johnson, CEO at Just Childcare comments, “We’re delighted to be able to add St Mary’s and Small World Day Nurseries to our portfolio, with their fantastic reputations for quality and well established standing in the community. Jonathon and Donna have done a brilliant job and it will be a pleasure to take over from their hard work, continuing the nurseries’ exceptional care and education standards.

We have had an exciting period in 2019, with several settings joining the Just Childcare family and we look forward to investing in and growing our group throughout the rest of this year.”

Vicky Marsland, Business Agent at Christie & Co who handled the sale, comments, “It’s been an absolute pleasure working with both the buyers and sellers throughout this transaction. It was a big decision for both Jonathan and Donna to retire from the industry, and I commend them for their hard work and professionalism throughout. I wish them both the best with their future endeavours.

“It certainly helped having the support of the team at Just Childcare, and we were able to complete the transaction within the desired timeframe. I am confident that these settings will be a fantastic addition to their growing group.

“A final thanks to the solicitors involved; Ramsdens Solicitors LLP in Huddersfield who acted on behalf of the sellers and Gateley PLC, Manchester, who acted for the purchasers.”