‘Very good’ rated Edinburgh day nursery sold to first-time buyer – Christie & Co
Specialist business property adviser, Christie & Co, has announced the sale of Cosy Cottage Nursery School in Edinburgh.
Originally established in 2013, Cosy Cottage Nursery School provides early years education and childcare for up to 34 children aged between birth and five years. The setting operates in partnership with the City of Edinburgh Council to provide funded pre-school places and achieved Care Inspectorate ratings of ‘Very Good’ in 2023 across care, play and learning, leadership, and staff.
The nursery operates from a listed former janitor’s house associated with the nearby Royal High Primary School. The setting was created through the conversion of a single-storey cottage and later expanded with the addition of a purpose-built timber-clad cabin, enhancing its pre-school provision. In 2021, the property was acquired and comprehensively refurbished inside and out, creating secure front, side, and rear gardens that provide dedicated outdoor learning and play spaces for different age groups.
Cosy Cottage Nursery School is located on Northfield Broadway in the east of Edinburgh.
The setting has been owned and operated by Julie McMorrine for the past five years. Julie is an experienced local childcare operator who has also owned and operated Blossom Tree Children’s Nursery in Gilmerton and Fairmilehead for more than 15 years.
Julie decided to sell Cosy Cottage Nursery School due to personal circumstances, but will continue to own and operate her two other nurseries.
Following a confidential sales process with Callum Lancaster at Christie & Co, the nursery has been sold to Aasim Afzal, Director of AANURSERIES LTD, a local entrepreneur and first-time entrant to the day nursery sector.
Julie McMorrine, former owner of Cosy Cottage Nursery School, comments, “It is an exciting new chapter for Cosy Cottage, its children, families, and wonderful staff team. It has been a privilege to be part of Cosy’s journey over the last five years, and seeing the nursery go from strength to strength has been both a joy and an honour. I wish the new owner, Aasim, every success for the future.”
Aasim Afzal, director of AANURSERIES LTD and new owner of Cosy Cottage Nursery School, comments, “I’m delighted to be taking on Cosy Cottage. It’s a fantastic nursery with a strong local reputation, and you can clearly see the care and hard work that has gone into building the business over the years.
“I’m looking forward to working with the existing team, getting to know the children and families, and building on the nursery’s success for the future.”
Callum Lancaster, senior business agent – Childcare & Education at Christie & Co, comments, “Cosy Cottage attracted strong interest from the outset, demonstrating the continued demand for quality childcare businesses in Edinburgh. Following a competitive sales process, Aasim emerged as the preferred purchaser, and it has been a pleasure working with both parties to bring the transaction to a successful conclusion.
“Julie has built an excellent business with a strong local reputation, and I’m sure Aasim will be well placed to build on those foundations as he takes Cosy Cottage into its next chapter.”
Cosy Cottage Nursery School was sold for an undisclosed sum.