THREE day nurseries in the Southampton area have changed hands in a deal that will help 500 families as well as securing 90 jobs.
Hopscotch Day Nurseries Group has acquired facilities in Eastleigh, Shirley and Portswood that were formally operated by the Swindon-based White Horse Childcare Group.
The Portswood day nursery closed six months ago but is now set to reopen next spring.
The three new acquisitions means the number of nurseries owned by Hopscotch has risen from five to eight, propelling it into the top 10% of UK nursery groups.
Founded in 2005 the Fareham-based operator provides childcare for babies, toddlers and pre-schoolers within a family-oriented environment.
It already had nurseries in Gosport, Fareham, Botley, Titchfield and Lee-on-Solent and says the acquisition of three more represents a logical expansion of the network.
Freya Derrick, founder and managing director, said: “We are very excited to be able to announce that Hopscotch is expanding into Southampton.
“This acquisition will enable us to bring the Hopscotch philosophy to around 500 young families in the Eastleigh, Shirley, and Portswood areas, providing vital early years opportunities and ultimately sustaining around 90 jobs during these challenging times.”
The group’s growth takes the total number of places offered to 600 while providing more than 300 jobs.
A Hopscotch spokesperson said: "The impact of the pandemic has delivered significant economic damage throughout the childcare sector which has led to business distress and the closure of some settings.
"Throughout this period Hopscotch has been working closely with the Hampshire Early Years team’s response to the pandemic, providing ongoing essential care for keyworkers’ children during the earlier lockdown and supporting other settings in the locality.
"In August Hopscotch was able to orchestrate a rescue package for a setting in Fareham which was in distress and at the point of closure."
The absorption of the Southampton-area settings into the Hopscotch "family" will be overseen by two members of the senior management team, Melanie Jackson and Sophie Fall.
Together they will manage operations at the Eastleigh and Shirley settings, working closely with the nursery managers. The Portswood setting closed in May but following a full renovation will re-open in spring 2021.
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