Specialist business property adviser, Christie & Co, has announced the sale of a group of three leasehold day nurseries owned by Hillingdon Council in West London.

The group comprises three local authority-owned nurseries that are located in Ruislip, Uxbridge, and Hayes. Despite the councils’ best efforts, the nurseries were trading unsustainably, and so it decided to look for a suitable replacement to take on new leases, the trading businesses, and to expand on the current offering at each site. Under local authority ownership, each setting provided care for 34 children at any one time, while Ruislip and Hayes have the space to accommodate circa 100 children at each setting.

Following a competitive process with Sophie Willcox at Christie & Co, the three leasehold settings have been purchased by London Early Years Foundation (LEYF), which was seen as a values-led, stable, reliable, high-quality group to maintain and grow the offering. LEYF plans to extend the current operation to increase capacities at the sites, which will, in turn, increase the number of staff needed, creating jobs in the local community.

Dr June O’Sullivan OBE, CEO of London Early Years Foundation (LEYF), comments, “At LEYF, we’re proud to step in to ensure these vital services truly flourish. Our social enterprise model strengthens occupancy, attracts talented staff, and reinvests the surplus back into the nurseries, securing a brighter future for children. We’re delighted to bring this proven approach to Hillingdon and remain committed to expanding by acquiring more nurseries across London and the surrounding areas. This will cement LEYF’s role as a national leader in reviving the early years landscape, proving that, with the right investment, vision, and social enterprise ethos, nurseries can be reborn as sustainable, high-quality, community-driven spaces where children thrive.”

Sophie Willcox, Director – Childcare & Education at Christie & Co, comments, “I am delighted to have assisted with this process, and to have found a suitable buyer for the leasehold business that will allow the nurseries to flourish. We wish LEYF the very best of luck with the future of the settings.”