New Nursery School For Award Winning Company

14/4/09

An award winning chain of children’s nurseries has expanded after securing a £250,000 funding package from Clydesdale Bank.

Increasing numbers and high demand for limited places at The Cabbage Patch nursery in Wishaw, meant that the owners decided to expand their nursery chain which already included Treetops Too Nursery in Saltcoats.

With support from Clydesdale Bank’s Bearsden Financial Solutions Centre (FSC), Wishaw-based Kiddieshack Nursery – which was a perfect fit for the nursery brand – was acquired.

Collin Care Ltd, the nurseries parent company, was formed in July 2008, by brothers Crawford and Douglas Collin and their sister Jean Smart.  With more than 20 years of nursery care experience between them, the trio opened the first nursery in the now successful chain – Treetops Too Nursery in Saltcoats.

“On the back of our success with Treetops Too, we decided to expand the company and purchase the second nursery, The Cabbage Patch in Wishaw, back in September, 2008,” said Crawford Collin, director of Collin Care Ltd.

“Purchasing the Kiddieshack, our third acquisition, was the obvious next step in our ongoing expansion and through our strong relationship with Clydesdale Bank we were able to realise this growth.

“We have always strived to offer the best possible service and facilities at our nursery schools and due to the high demand for places at our existing Wishaw-based nursery we felt it was the perfect time to expand and purchase the new school.

All three nurseries cater for children aged from 6 weeks to 5 years and following its purchase of the new school, Collin Care Ltd now employs 40 specially trained members of staff who look after 120 children.

Lynsey Officer, business partner at Clydesdale Bank’s Bearsden FSC, said: “Supporting local businesses is inherent to Clydesdale Bank and we are happy to be working Collin Care Ltd.  It is an ambitious business and we are confident that by working closely with its management team we can help them achieve their goals and future objectives.”

The company employs local staff and provides on an on-the-job training scheme that saw the company being classed as ‘Employer of the Year’ at the 2009 Rathbone Scotland Achiever Awards, which honours companies and young people who have made significant progress through learning.