Specialist business property adviser, Christie & Co, has announced the sale of Kloisters Kindergarten & Pre-School in Rochester, Kent, and Ellingham House Day Nursery in Hampshire to national nursery group, Family First

Kloisters is an Ofsted rated ‘Good’ nursery and pre-school with operating capacity for up to 87 children aged from birth to five-years-old. The setting is open 46 weeks a year and creates a perfect cluster for Family First which also owns Prima Montessori and Little Explorers nearby. The setting was owned by Carolyn Dennis who decided to sell the leasehold to allow her to retire.

Ellingham House Day Nursery, which has an operating capacity for up to 86 children aged from two-months to five-years-old, occupies an attractive Edwardian property just outside Fordingbridge in Hampshire. The setting has enjoyed an ‘Outstanding’ Ofsted rating for over 15 years now and is known locally for providing high-quality childcare. Previous owner, Hugh Brook, has taken a very hands-on approach to management, personally greeting and waving off children every morning and night for the last 26 years.

Hugh Brook said: “On 5 February 1996 I stood as Principal of Ellingham House Day Nursery for the very first time. I have cherished each and every day since, and feel incredibly blessed and privileged to have steered the Ellingham team for the past 26 years.

“It is now time for me to pass on the baton of responsibility and to enable an injection of fresh enthusiasm and passion so that the very finest of childcare continues to be provided. The Ellingham team have supported me, for decades, with the greatest level of loyalty. In return I will continue to support them and Family First, so that our time-honoured quality of childcare, education and the ‘Ellingham ethos’ forever remains true to its origins. I look forward to Family First further advantaging and benefitting all that Ellingham so wonderfully, happily, and delightfully provides.”

Sophie Willcox, director, Childcare & Education at Christie & Co, who supported the two sales, commented: “Here are another two examples of how strong the demand for nurseries is across the South, especially when they are of premium quality and have benefitted from a long-standing reputation of providing excellent childcare like Ellingham and Kloisters have.”

Kloisters Kindergarten & Pre-School and Ellingham House Day Nursery were sold for undisclosed prices.