Specialist business property advisor, Christie & Co, has announced the sale of Heathcote House Nursery in Devizes, Wiltshire

Heathcote House Nursery is a premier childcare facility that provides sessional and full day care for children aged nought to five years. The business occupies a former college building with fabulous outdoor areas and designated rooms for each age range, including a separate sleep room.

The setting was previously owned by Keith and Jean Hudson who decided to semi-retire so that they could spend more time abroad.

Following a confidential sales process with Jassi Sunner at Christie & Co, it has been purchased by Wishford Education, a group of independent prep and senior schools as well as nurseries and day and residential camps. Heathcote House Nursery is the first standalone day nursery to join the group.

Wishford Education growth

Keith Hudson, former owner of Heathcote House Nursery, commented: “Jean and I have greatly enjoyed growing Heathcote House Nursery to its present position in Devizes, during our 20+ years of stewardship. We now feel it is the right time for Heathcote to progress to its next phase and we have tried hard to find the appropriate organisation to take up the baton. We think we have done this with Wishford Education. It is a youthful, energetic, and well-resourced organisation with the same goal as us: to provide the highest quality of care and education possible to ensure the best start in life for each individual child. We would like to give everyone associated with the nursery – children, parents and staff – our very best wishes for the future, and look forward to hearing many more good things about Heathcote.”

Sam Antrobus, executive chairman of Wishford Education, added: “As soon as I visited Heathcote House I knew it was a perfect first day nursery for the Wishford group. I was born and raised in Devizes so I know the town well and have long been aware of the nursery’s excellent reputation. I have been deeply impressed with the care and commitment to excellence shown by the nursery’s leadership team and staff. We very much look forward to working with them to continue to provide the highest quality nursery provision in Devizes.”

Jassi Sunner, associate director – Childcare & Education at Christie & Co, stated: “As the nursery occupies a former college building, there really is vast space for early years kids to explore and enjoy free-flow play between rooms indoors and easy access to the outside – there really aren’t many nurseries like this.

“Therefore, when it came to the market, it was no surprise that we had an array of interest – from familiar operators in the day nursery market due to the affluent area, as well as other educational institutes including schools, specialist provisions, and some children’s residential businesses. Due to the competitive nature of the instruction, Wishford Education was quick to put forward an offer to secure the building and Sam Antrobus was very keen as he grew up in the Devizes area so knew the location well. With the reputation built up by Wishford, Keith and Jean were impressed from the viewing onwards and we had a very amicable sales process throughout. I am delighted to have helped Keith and Jean on their first steps to winding down from the sector but equally pleased that we were able to re-introduce Sam to the area, we have no doubt that his passion for the educational sector will pass through to the business and Heathcote House will continue to thrive.”

Heathcote House Nursery was sold for an undisclosed price.