Nursery group Lion Cubs Nurseries has acquired The Willows Day Nursery near Brighouse in West Yorkshire, an Ofsted Good-rated setting, providing sessional childcare and early years education for up to 92 children aged from newborn to five years.

The business has been owned by John Cunnington since 2017 and was recently brought to market as he wants more time to travel the world.

Lion Cubs Nurseries now operates eight settings across the North of England. The acquisition forms part of the group’s growth strategy, with several additional transactions also progressing.

Lion Cubs Nurseries’ chief executive Pierre-Antoine Tisseau said: “We were attracted by the long-standing track record of quality and care delivered by the experienced team at The Willows, with a real family feel, and providing outstanding childcare to the local community. This made The Willows a great fit for our growing family of nurseries. We are grateful that John chose us to carry on the legacy of this longstanding nursery and look forward to continuing building on these strong foundations.”

Business property advisor Christie & Co facilitated the sale.

Grace Day, senior business agent, childcare and education at Christie & Co, said: “This deal reflects the ongoing appetite for day nursery acquisitions within the West Yorkshire nursery market. Regional operators are more active than ever, and the area remains one of the most sought-after locations for buyers, attracting interest from both independent providers and larger nursery groups looking to expand.”

The Willows Day Nursery was sold for an undisclosed price.