Family First, has reached 100 nurseries with the acquisition of nature-play specialists Kids Play Childcare

Kids Play has three nurseries in Milton Keynes and another in Bury St Edmunds. The acquisition brings the total number of staff to 2,500 and nursery places to 7,500. 

Family First chief executive, Ollie Humphries said: “When we launched in 2019, we had a clear ambition – to be the number one provider of quality childcare in the UK. 

“By bringing nurseries into our group which match our ethos and vision, like Kids Play, we can safely say we are achieving our ambition when it comes to performance and growth.” 

The managing director of Kids Play Childcare, Paul Sharp, said Family First were the perfect choice. “We are very proud of what the team at Kids Play has achieved over 17 years in childcare,” he said. 

“With both myself and fellow director Jimmi Dickson reaching retirement age, we wanted to find a company to continue our legacy of doing what is best for children and our staff. From the first meeting with Family First, it was clear they bought into our ethos of learning through nature-based play and shared our values of supporting their teams.   

“We were also impressed that despite Family First’s rapid growth, their nursery settings continued to operate with the community in mind and were willing for nurseries to retain their individual identity.” 

Family First 100 nurseries

Family First is backed by August Equity. Managing partner David Lonsdale hailed the work which has gone into reaching 100 nurseries. 

“We are delighted to have reached this milestone at Family First. Kids Play is an excellent addition to our portfolio and a fantastic milestone for the business,” he said. 

“We are incredibly proud of the team and all the nursery staff for remaining dedicated to the core Family First values throughout this growth journey. Also for their unwavering focus on delivering high quality childcare across the UK.” 

Humphries added he was proud to have reached the Family First 100 nurseries mark. But the hard work from his team would continue to deliver high standards. 

He said: “We have come a very long way in the three-and-a-half years since we started. It is testament to the commitment from our people who have made Family First an attractive proposition for owners who want to know their businesses are in good hands. 

“We are still as passionate about providing excellent childcare as we were on day one. 

“It’s a fantastic landmark for us and the hard work to deliver the best for our children and their families continues.” 

Nick Brown head of brokerage, Childcare & Education, Christie & Co commented: “This has been a super deal to be part of. From the moment my colleague, David Eaves, and I went to meet Paul Sharp, we knew this was a special group.

“The flagship setting in Milton Keynes known as ‘The Hub’ is nothing short of spectacular, with the capacity to care for around 242 children. No expense has been spared in creating premium environments for all the children to enjoy.”