Happy Days Nurseries has bought Teddy Bears Nursery School in Hampshire, following a confidential sales process with Christie & Co.

Teddy Bears Nursery School operates from a converted residential property that can look after up to 52 children up to the age of five at any one time.

Previous owner Vithiya Arenesarajah, who bought the nursery in 2006 after a career in accounting, has retired following the sale.

Happy Days Nurseries is a group of 29 settings operating across the UK. Chief executive Kim Herbert said “We are thrilled to be growing our portfolio again with the acquisition of this fantastic nursery whose ethos of nurturing children in a warm, friendly environment aligns with our own. We look forward to working with the staff team to support children to become strong and motivated learners for life and provide a top-class service to enable parents to work and live their daily lives knowing their children are cherished and cared for to the highest standard.”

Sophie Willcox, director – childcare & education at Christie & Co, said: “I am delighted to have found Vithiya the right buyer to carry on her legacy as she enters retirement. It was a tense end to the deal, which completed just ahead of the Autumn Budget, but I’m delighted to have completed on this freehold nursery. This is an example of another freehold sale in the South, bucking the trend of previous years where we saw more leasehold sales, whereas 2024 has been more of an equal split.”

Teddy Bears Nursery School was sold for an undisclosed price.