A FIRM which runs 12 children's nurseries in south Hampshire has been bought out by a large rival.

Yellow Dot Holdings Limited and Subsidiary Companies which operates from 12 sites, in affluent residential areas, caring for almost 800 youngsters, has been sold to Bright Horizons Family Solutions

Bright Horizons’ has more than 300 nurserie sin the UK and 1,000-plus worldwide.

Yellow Dot was founded by managing director Jane Dyke in 1997.

The name was inspired by a packet of stickers her husband Trevor gave her.

"Trevor gave me a packet of Yellow Dots, he said ‘I’ve read a book that says most people do not fulfil their dreams because they forget about them… life takes over. The book suggests that if you have an icon to remember your dream you are more likely to achieve it.’

"He told me to put a Yellow Dot on my credit card, diary, dashboard, mirror etc so that every time I saw the dot I would think of my dream – to open a day nursery."

Eleven years later the couple borrowed £15,000 to open their first nursery in Chandler's Ford.

Since then Yellow Dots have opened at Ampfield, Andover, Chilworth, eastleigh, Fair Oak, Hedge End, North Baddesley, Otterbourne, Winchester and Romsey

The nurseries operate from a mix of purpose built properties, converted residences, former public houses and commercial properties.

Acting on behalf of Jane and Trevor Dyke, Courteney Donaldson, Christie & Co handled the sale of Yellow Dot.

Courteney Donaldson of Christie and Co said: “Last autumn, Jane and I discussed the buoyancy of the UK and the scope to achieve a premium price in the event of a professionally executed sale process through Christie & Co. Following weeks of preparation, the opportunity to acquire Yellow Dots nurseries was introduced to a carefully selected pool of potential buyers in early December who were invited into the confidential sales process.

"In early February, we received multiple offers, over the asking price, from a wide variety of trade operators and investors alike, with deliverable offers being presented by both UK based and overseas parties. Due to the amount of pre-transaction works which were undertaken prior to the commencement of the sale, the period from the deal being agreed through completion took a mere seven weeks.”