Busy Bees, a child care provider in the UK, has made two child care group acquisitions taking the business into the US and Italian markets for the first time.
Busy Bees has taken its first step into the US market with the acquisition of Educational Playcare, a child care provider which operates 19 centres in the state of Connecticut. Separately, Busy Bees has acquired bilingual child care provider Doremi, providing Busy Bees with its first presence in the Italian market.
Educational Playcare, founded in 1986, provides care for up to 4,300 children and offers spaces from the age of six weeks to five years, as well as afterschool care for children up to the age of twelve. Busy Bees has acquired 100 per cent of Educational Playcare from its former shareholders.
Founded in 1993, Doremi is a bilingual child care provider that operates seven centres in and around Milan, Italy, and offers places for up to 359 children. The child care group provides care for children between the ages of twelve weeks and six years old. Busy Bees has acquired 100 per cent of Doremi from its existing shareholders. The acquisition represents the centre group’s first presence in continental Europe.
Following the acquisitions of Educational Playcare and Doremi, Busy Bees now cares for more than 55,000 children across 630 sites globally, including centres in the UK and Ireland, Singapore, Malaysia, Canada, Australia and now in the United States and Italy.
Simon Irons, Group CEO of Busy Bees, says: “For over 35 years Busy Bees has provided outstanding care for children in local communities across the world. We are pleased to welcome Educational Playcare and Doremi to the Busy Bees family and, in doing so, supporting more children, families and staff than ever before. These latest acquisitions allow us to enter two new markets in the United States and Italy, strengthening our global portfolio and bringing further talent into the Busy Bees business.
“As part of due diligence, we conducted a thorough review and audit to ensure both child care groups were aligned to our own vision and values before finalising each acquisition. We are confident that the teams at both Educational Playcare and Doremi will enhance our international capabilities as a leading child care provider and help us to continue to provide the best possible start in life for the children under our care.”
Jane Porterfield, Founder of Educational Playcare, says: “After a period of diligent consideration we are very happy that we have chosen the right path for Educational Playcare by partnering with Busy Bees. I see clearly how our mission to deliver the highest quality experience for families, their children and our employees closely aligns with Busy Bees’ core values and excellent reputation for providing high quality care. We are excited that they will build on our success as a quality educational and developmental child care provider with their invaluable support. Both management teams will endeavour to deliver a seamless transition for everyone involved.”
Federica Ortalli, Co-founder of Doremi, adds: “As we consider the future success of the children in our care a key priority, choosing Busy Bees as our new partner was a logical and straightforward decision for us. We are proud to be working with Busy Bees given its industry-renowned reputation for excellent quality child care, which is synonymous with our own forward-thinking approach. Over the coming months, we look forward to forging a close working relationship with the Busy Bees team and welcome their support and guidance as we embark on this journey together.”
