A group of private nurseries in Kent which looks after more than 1,500 children has been taken over by the largest childcare provider in the UK.

Kinder Nurseries, which has 11 nurseries in Kent and one in Lewisham, has been acquired by Busy Bees, which operates 226 sites across the country.

The Kent company looks after 1,044 children aged three months to five years, and offers another 346 after-school places, plus 140 for four to 11-year-olds at an independent primary school.

It has bases in Ashford, Rainham, Hadlow, Gravesend, Hempstead, Sittingbourne, Gillingham, Maidstone, Tunbridge Wells, Meopham, East Malling and Lewisham.

Founded in 1983, Busy Bees employ 7,500 staff and provide care for more than 20,000 children.

Managing director Marg Randles said: “We are delighted to welcome Kinder Nurseries and Meredale Primary School into the Busy Bees family and really look forward to being part of their future.

“Kinder’s experienced managers and devoted staff teams will continue to play the most important role, providing quality care for the children in partnership with their families and we will continue to work closely with the management team to ensure the handover is as seamless as possible for the children, parents and staff.

“We will keep parents informed every step of the way, as we further develop the excellent care, resources and services the nurseries currently provides.”