Specialist business property adviser, Christie & Co, has announced the sale of Little Bear’s Nursery, a group of three well-established settings located in Wanstead and East Village, London.
Founded in 2004 by Lee and Shona O’Neill, Little Bear’s Nursery has grown organically over two decades, evolving from converted residential and commercial properties into purpose-designed spaces for high-quality childcare. The group has an effective operating capacity for 254 children and is widely recognised for its commitment to excellence in early years education.
The sale was part of a highly confidential process led by Christie & Co, resulting in the acquisition by Busy Bees, one of the UK’s leading childcare providers. This strategic purchase brings Busy Bees’ total number of settings across the UK to over 350.
Former owner of Little Bear’s Nursery, Shona O’Neill, comments, “Our nursery journey began over 20 years ago when our neighbour decided to retire, allowing us to open our first setting next to Wanstead tube station. In 2011, we expanded to Wanstead Village, and later to East Village, Stratford, as part of the London 2012 Olympic Games legacy. Each nursery has been a labour of love, and we’re proud of the reputation we’ve built in the local communities.”
Marcia Brown, Divisional Director at Busy Bees, comments, “We are delighted to welcome three of the Little Bear’s nurseries to our Busy Bees family. Shona has done a wonderful job with the nurseries, creating joyful and enriching environments where children feel safe and their individual needs are catered for. Alongside the long-standing teams, we are proud to carry Shona’s vision going forward, ensuring high-quality care for all families and the best start in life for children. We extend a warm welcome to all colleagues, children and families into Busy Bees.”
Nick Brown, Head of Brokerage – Childcare & Education at Christie & Co, who managed the sale, comments, “This group was always going to be popular. Alongside my colleague David Eaves, we are proud to have helped Lee and Shona achieve their goals and transition into new ventures.”
Little Bear’s Nursery group was sold for an undisclosed price.
