Happy Days Nurseries and Pre-Schools has acquired two Portsmouth nurseries in a deal facilitated by specialist  business property adviser Christie & Co.

Happy Days Nurseries bought Farlington Day Nursery and Dolls House Day Nursery following the retirement of owners Rachel and Dean Dolman. Happy Days now owns 31 settings across the South and Southwest.

Farlington Day Nursery was launched in 2003, and Dolls House Day Nursery in 2007. Between them the two sites provide childcare and early education for up to 110 children at any one time.

Kim Herbert, managing director for Happy Days Nurseries and Pre-Schools, said: “Farlington and Dolls House’s values and beliefs of providing children with the very best care and education align with our own. The staff team will remain in place, and we look forward to working with them 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 thoroughly enjoyed working with Rachel and Dean on the sale of their business and ensuring we found the right fit for what they wanted from a buyer in the long term. As they owned the freeholds of the nurseries, we approached the market on both a freehold and leasehold basis and evaluated between us the offers as they came in, to ensure that they proceeded with the route that suited them and their plans the best. We were inundated with interest from local and regional operators, and I’m delighted that the settings have sold to Happy Days Nurseries who, I’m sure, will take them to further success.”