Nurtured Childcare Acquires Elmore Kindergarten Group: Expansion in Northern England
Deal News | May 28, 2025 | B Daily

Nurtured Childcare, a dynamic nursery operator, has successfully acquired the Elmore Kindergarten Group, adding three strategic locations in Sheffield to its growing portfolio in Yorkshire and Staffordshire. This acquisition, backed by a £2.7 million loan from OakNorth digital bank, marks a significant milestone in Nurtured Childcare's expansion strategy across Northern England. Founded by Craig Brennan in 2021, the company aims to capitalize on this growth by enhancing the facilities with additional investment and extracurricular offerings. KeySME Business Finance facilitated the financial support from OakNorth, while legal advisories for the commercial and property aspects of the deal were provided by Mark Ryan Solicitors, Clarion Solicitors, and Clifford Johnson Solicitors. With this acquisition, Nurtured Childcare is well-positioned to become a leading player in the North of England's nursery sector, as lauded by OakNorth's Stewart Haworth and KeySME's Ash Richardson.
Sectors
- Childcare/Education
- Financial Services
- Legal Advisory
Geography
- United Kingdom – The article focuses on the expansion of Nurtured Childcare within the United Kingdom, specifically in Northern England.
- Northern England – Nurtured Childcare aims to expand across regions in Northern England, as indicated by the strategic acquisition of nurseries in Sheffield.
Industry
- Childcare/Education – The article centers on a nursery operator expanding its presence within the childcare and early education sector.
- Financial Services – The acquisition was financed through a loan provided by a digital bank, OakNorth, highlighting the role of financial services in facilitating business expansion.
- Legal Advisory – Multiple legal firms were involved in advising the acquisition, making legal advisory a relevant industry for the support provided in the deal.
Financials
- £2.7 million – The loan amount provided by OakNorth to finance the acquisition of Elmore Kindergarten Group.
Participants
Name | Role | Type | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Nurtured Childcare | Buyer | Company | A nursery operator founded by Craig Brennan, expanding its portfolio through strategic acquisitions. |
Elmore Kindergarten Group | Target | Company | The group of nurseries acquired by Nurtured Childcare, adding three locations in Sheffield. |
OakNorth | Financier | Company | A digital bank that provided a £2.7 million loan to finance the acquisition. |
Craig Brennan | Nurtured Childcare Founder | Person | The founder of Nurtured Childcare who is leading the company's expansion strategy. |
Stewart Haworth | OakNorth Director of Debt Finance | Person | OakNorth director involved in supporting the financing of Nurtured Childcare's expansion. |
KeySME Business Finance | Financial Advisor | Company | Provided financial advisory for securing support from OakNorth. |
Mark Ryan Solicitors | Commercial Legal Advisor | Company | Provided commercial legal advice in the acquisition. |
Clarion Solicitors | Commercial Legal Advisor | Company | Assisted in providing commercial legal services for the deal. |
John Galvin, of Clifford Johnson Solicitors | Property Legal Advisor | Person | Provided legal support in the property aspects of the acquisition. |