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We’re really pleased to share the news that Manor Day Nurseries has joined the SM���� family.

Located in Chorley, Lancashire, Manor Day Nurseries includes two much-loved settings, Gelston Manor Day Nursery and Little Manor Day Nursery. Both settings are known locally for their warm, nurturing approach and high-quality early years education.

This latest addition takes our network to 59 nurseries across England, offering more than 5,800 places for children and families.

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A natural fit for SM����

Manor Day Nurseries was founded over a decade ago by Laura Ward and Annemarie Capper, who have built something truly special - settings rooted in care, strong values and close community connections.

From the moment we got to know the team and their nurseries, it was clear there was a strong alignment with how we think about early years education — putting children first, supporting families and creating a positive environment for colleagues to thrive.

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Unlocking future potential

One of the things that really stood out to us is the potential across both nurseries, especially Gelston Manor.

Set within three acres of woodland and greenbelt land, Gelston Manor is a well-established Forest School with a fantastic outdoor learning environment. With spaces like mud kitchens, sensory gardens and outdoor storytelling areas, it’s a brilliant example of how children can learn, explore and grow through nature.

We’re excited about what the future holds here, and how we can build on what’s already in place to make it even more special.

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Looking ahead

Over the past year, we’ve been focused on bringing Children 1st Day Nurseries into the SM���� group following their acquisition in 2024. With that integration now firmly in place, this marks a return to a more steady pace of growth for us - always with a focus on quality, not just scale.

Sarah Mackenzie, CEO of SM����, said:

“We’re delighted to welcome Manor Day Nurseries to SM����. Laura, Annemarie and the team have created two fantastic settings with strong local reputations.

What excites us most is the potential here, particularly at Gelston Manor, is that it's a unique environment and a great opportunity for us to create something really distinctive in the North West.

We’re looking forward to working alongside the team, supporting them with investment and development opportunities, and helping both nurseries continue to grow and thrive.”

Laura Ward added:

“Finding the right partner for the future of Manor Day Nurseries was incredibly important to us. We wanted someone who would respect what we’ve built, but also help take it further and SM���� felt like the right fit from the start.

We’ve always had ambitions for what Gelston Manor could become, especially with the outdoor space. Being part of SM���� means we now have the support and investment to turn those plans into reality.”

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Continuing to support our communities

As always, our focus remains on supporting our teams, delivering high-quality early years education and staying closely connected to the communities we serve.

We’re really excited to welcome the Manor Day Nurseries team, families and children to SM����, and we’re looking forward to what we’ll build together.