ICP Educare acquires two Sheffield nurseries after 30-year ownership

What's the deal? ICP Educare Limited has acquired Old School House Nursery, a group of two children's day nurseries in Sheffield with a combined capacity of roughly 190 children. The deal, brokered by Redwoods Dowling Kerr, marks the end of over 30 years of ownership for the seller.

Both nurseries are rated "Good" by Ofsted and operate in close proximity to each other. The acquisition expands ICP Educare's footprint in South Yorkshire and adds to its growing portfolio of early years settings.

Why now? The UK childcare sector has seen steady consolidation as larger operators snap up established, well-rated nurseries. For a business under the same ownership for three decades, the competitive bidding process suggests strong buyer demand for quality early years provision.

Sarah Ellison, deputy manager at Redwoods Dowling Kerr, said the "strength of interest reflected the quality and reputation of the settings."

The signal: The deal fits a broader pattern of roll-up strategies in UK childcare, where platform buyers like ICP Educare are assembling regional portfolios of nurseries. Founders who built businesses over decades are finding willing acquirers — and favourable exit conditions — as institutional and strategic capital flows into the sector.

Read more: redwoodsdk.com