Award-winning day nursery in Richmond secures funding for its second site
Specialist commercial finance broker, Christie Finance, has helped secure funding for renowned childcare operator of My Sunshine Day Nursery to purchase a second property in Barnes, Richmond, that they will renovate into a new nursery setting.
My Sunshine Day Nursery is well located in the affluent area of Mortlake, Richmond, bordering South-West London. It has been voted to feature in the ‘Top twenty nurseries in London’ and has received high praise since opening in 2018. Having the capability of hosting 60 places but currently operating at 50, the nursery has a large waiting list with continuing demand in the area for quality childcare. The owners appreciate the need to expand their business and this has led to their acquisition of a building in shell-form which is just a short distance away in Barnes, Richmond.
My Sunshine Day Nursery is owned and operated by Trilium Ltd., a family business which, since opening, has continued to keep up to date with the childcare market. They have identified a core business model which they want to carry into their expansion projects, allowing them to retain their medium sized setting for 60 children whilst providing the best childcare for the area.
Trilium Ltd is made up of three directors; Mike Ballardie, who has been actively running the business since opening three and a half years ago and has a clear passion for the childcare industry; his wife Penny Shepherd, who maintains work as an administrator at a private school in Surrey but her expertise in safeguarding, HR and reporting has been essential for the business; their daughter Harriet Ballardie who manages the day to day running of My Sunshine Day Nursery and has 10 years’ experience in the sector with a BA Hons in childcare with special needs. Their skills and management will be transferred to the new site.
The new property will need to be renovated to cater for the new nursery, and the business is excited to take on this venture. There has been much interest in the new business already which has increased the owners’ confidence that the services will be well received and in demand from those in the local area.
Mike Ballardie comments, “Christie Finance has demonstrated its in-depth knowledge and understanding of the nursery sector, offering both buyers and sellers a full complement of services across finance, insurance and business marketing. My Sunshine, as a three-year old business, looked to the experience of Chris Field to identify the optimum long-term financing partner to facilitate its expansion through the acquisition of a freehold property in Barnes. Chris quickly appreciated our business model and the opportunity for expansion, and identified and introduced us to numerous lenders grounded in the childcare sector, providing expert advice and continuous communication throughout the process. A fantastic service!”
The Christie finance consultant on the deal, director and head of corporate, Chris Field, comments, “It has been a real pleasure working closely with Mike, Penny and Harriett. Their knowledge, expertise and passion for what they do shines through, and this got the attention of the specialist lender we introduced. With a proven track record as exceptional operators, it is of no surprise that expansion plans are in play due to such strong demand. The new freehold setting is in such a prime location, just a short walk from My Sunshine at Mortlake, and I am absolutely confident that it will be at their chosen capacity before it even opens the doors!
“I’d like to wish Mike and the team all the very best for the launch of their second nursery and very much look forward to helping out with number three before too long.”
