May 21, 2014 4.40 pm This story is over 118 months old

Four Lincoln nurseries sold to new owners

Old Station Nurseries take-over: The Old Station Nursery has sold its four nurseries based in Lincoln and Newark to new owners.
Back (L-R) Margaret Mason, Sarah Steel. Front (L-R) Grace Appleby, Maggie Drury, Hope McClements, Charlie Smith, Phoebe Halliwell, Issabelle Sherlock, Blake Margretts. Photo: Shooting Star

The Old Station Nursery has sold its four nurseries based in Lincoln and Newark to new owners after eight years in business.

A sales agreement with Children 1st will mean the nurseries on Wragby Road, Lincoln College, The Marina and Newark College will be under new management.

The opening hours will remain the same and current members of staff will remain.

In addition, it is expected that the purchase will result in job creation in Lincolnshire and Newark, especially for apprentices and young people wanting to begin their career in childcare.

The business will continue to run its six other settings in Oxfordshire, Gloucestershire and Buckinghamshire.

The Old Station Nursery was set up in 2002 by Sarah Steel, and the Lincoln and Newark nurseries have grown in size over the eight years to offer 60% more places for children in the area.

Margaret Mason meets children at The Old Station Nursery. Photo: Shooting Star

Margaret Mason meets children at The Old Station Nursery. Photo: Shooting Star

Steel said: “Over the last eight years we’ve opened four settings in Lincoln and Newark now offering 276 nursery places for children, which is great as we started with just 111 places.

“It was a difficult decision to say goodbye to the teams and the children in Lincoln and Newark but I’m looking forward to spending less time travelling and will continue to manage the settings closer to home in Oxfordshire, Gloucestershire and Buckinghamshire.

“I’m confident that Children 1st will continue with the ethos of The Old Station Nursery and they have an excellent track record.”

Children 1st is a family-run business that has a record of outstanding OFSTED services at 14 nurseries across central England.

Margaret Mason, Founder and Executive Chair of Children 1st Day Nurseries said: “We already have a presence in the area with our nurseries in Newark and Grantham and therefore the acquisition presented a perfect opportunity for us to further enhance our business in Newark but particularly in Lincolnshire.”