Education provider expands Midlands presence with Birmingham acquisition

Fast-growing early years education provider Nursery Elite (Little Nurseries) has strengthened its footprint in the West Midlands with the acquisition Sunflowers Nurseries Ltd, a two-site nursery business in Birmingham – with support from full-service law firm Shakespeare Martineau.

The purchase adds two established nursery sites – a mini pre-school in Beacon Road and a larger pre-school in Moreton Avenue, both in Pheasey – to Nursery Elite’s growing portfolio.

Both sites will continue to provide care and education for children aged three months to five years.

Based in Rugby, Warwickshire, Nursery Elite now operates seven nurseries across the region, including Little Memories Day Nursery and Little Tots Day Nursery in Birmingham. The group serves more than 800 children and employs over 150 staff across its sites.

The acquisition was part of a planned retirement by Sunflowers Nurseries’ long-standing owners, who are stepping down after 25 years running the business.

All existing employees will remain in place, ensuring continuity of care and a seamless experience for families during the transition.

Luke Moore, director at Nursery Elite, said: “As a parent myself, I understand just how important those early years are – not only for a child’s development, but for the family as a whole.

“Sunflowers has a fantastic reputation and a warm, nurturing environment that aligns perfectly with our values. We’re committed to building on the strong foundations already in place, working collaboratively with the existing team to enhance the unique approach that makes Sunflowers special.

“We also plan to further strengthen the partnership between parents and nursery staff to help every child thrive. This is a key part of our long-term growth strategy and we’re actively exploring further acquisitions in the region.”

The deal was led by Katie Taken, corporate healthcare partner at Shakespeare Martineau, who specialises in transactions within the childcare sector.

Katie said: “We’re pleased to have supported Nursery Elite on another strategic acquisition as they continue to expand in the Midlands.

“Sunflowers Nurseries is a high-quality provider with an excellent local reputation, making it a strong addition to the group.

“Our sector expertise allowed us to provide tailored, end-to-end legal support – including corporate M&A to real estate – helping ensure a smooth and efficient transaction.”

The Shakespeare Martineau team also included corporate healthcare solicitor Stena Rham and commercial real estate legal director Desh Patel.