Holly Grange Montessori Nursery in Sandbach, Cheshire, has been sold to Kids Planet Day Nurseries, which now has over 200 day early years settings across the UK.

Holly Grange is a highly-successful and unique children’s day nursery with a maximum operating capacity for up to 70 children.

It is situated in the heart of Sandbach, Cheshire East, attracting custom locally and from commuting parents in the surrounding villages.

The nursery was acquired via Christie & Co by Trudie Walker in 2020, at which time it was a struggling day nursery with low occupancy.

Shortly after, Holly Grange Montessori Sandbach was established and very quickly became the go-to day nursery in the area.

Over the past few years, Walker has worked hard with her team to implement her successful Montessori model, which her current and previous settings also encompass.

Following a sales process with Sofia Beck at Christie & Co, it has been purchased by Kids Planet Day Nurseries, which now has over 200 day nursery settings across the UK.

Clare Roberts, chief executive at Kids Planet Day Nurseries, said: “I am delighted to welcome Holly Grange Montessori Nursery into the Kids Planet family.

“The nursery comes with an excellent team that acts as role models to the children and creates inspiring environments that closely align with our approach.

“We are continuing to grow our network of award-winning nurseries, but our core values remain consistent, with high-quality early years education at the heart of everything we do.”

Beck added: “This really was what you would call a ‘unique’ opportunity, given how quickly and seamlessly Trudie was able to turn the nursery around, not to mention doing so in the midst of the pandemic.

“When I initially marketed this setting in 2020, it struggled to generate interest from buyers as the business was in a declining state and very few could see its potential.

“Trudie certainly has an eye for potential and she could see how her vision would be a great fit for the nursery and no doubt that her high-quality childcare and education would attract local parents.

“It’s rare to see such a transformation in increased occupancy levels and take up from new parents in such a short space of time.”

Holly Grange Montessori Nursery was sold for an undisclosed price.