The Puddleduck Nursery in South London has been bought by first-time buyer Kim Bradley, owner of new company Luna Nurseries.

The Puddleduck Nursery, which will be the first setting in the Luna Nurseries family, provides care and early education for up to 55 children aged from birth to five years. It operates from a church building with access to a large outdoor play area.

Bradley bought the setting following a confidential sales process with Sophie Willcox at specialist business property adviser Christie & Co.  The nursery was previously owned by Carol Bromley who acquired the setting in 2011 and decided to sell in order to retire.

“I have run the setting since 1996, and from 2009 at the current site,” said Bromley. “Over this time, it has grown from a small part-time group into a full-time facility to meet the varying needs of families in the area. We have a long-standing staff team dedicated to their work and together they have established a recognised standing within the local community. As I enter retirement from 46 years in education, it is time for me to hand over the task of taking the nursery into the next phase of young children’s learning and development with new energy and ideas with Kim Bradley at the helm.”

Bradley, who was previously a nursery manager, said: “This acquisition is in perfect harmony with our commitment to fostering and inspiring young minds within a secure, nurturing, and engaging atmosphere. We eagerly anticipate enhancing the remarkable standards of care that the nursery has set and maintaining our dedication to delivering exceptional early years education for our children.”

Sophie Willcox, director – childcare & education at Christie & Co, said: “We were inundated with interest given The Puddleduck Nursery’s South East London location and the potential that the setting had for a new owner to increase the current offering which meant we received multiple offers from existing operators. I am excited to see what Kim does with the business and wish Carol the best of luck in her well-earned retirement.”

The Puddleduck Nursery was sold for an undisclosed price.