Play Away Day Nursery, a long-established early years setting in Runcorn town centre, has been acquired by Kids Planet Day Nurseries, the company confirmed following the sale by proprietor Grainne McGoven-Scott.
Local setting with a national operator
The nursery, which is located on Langdale Road, has been serving the community since Ms McGoven-Scott took the helm in 2001. It caters for children from birth up to five years old and has a licensed capacity of up to 87 children. According to the vendor and advisers involved, the move sees the site rebranded under the Kids Planet name.
In statements surrounding the transaction, the nursery was described as an 'outstanding' setting and said to have earned a strong reputation locally. The sale comes as its owner prepares to retire after more than two decades of running the provision.
What the sale means
For parents and guardians in Runcorn, the immediate implications are likely to be continuity of care alongside changes in branding and management. Kids Planet, which operates a number of settings elsewhere, has said it will build on the nursery's foundations and invest in its future while maintaining the high standards families expect.
- Location: Langdale Road, Runcorn town centre
- Capacity: Up to 87 children
- Age range: 0–5 years
- New owner: Kids Planet Day Nurseries
- Reason for sale: Vendor retirement
Those facts point to the most immediate local consequences: retained places for current families, potential investment in facilities or staff development, and continuity of access given the setting's central location and transport links.
Comments from advisers and the vendor
Christie & Co, the firm that advised on the transaction, said its director of childcare and education had been involved with the vendor for some years and was pleased to have supported the exit.
"After first meeting Grainne almost 10 years ago, I’m so pleased to have assisted with her exit and the sale of her incredible setting. I have no doubt that Kids Planet will continue to build on the nursery’s strong foundations, investing in its future while maintaining the high-quality care and learning environment that families have come to know and trust."
The quotation above was attributed to the director of childcare and education at Christie & Co and forms the principal public comment recorded in the sale announcement. No further comment was provided in the release by the vendor or Kids Planet at the time of publication.
Local context and next steps
Play Away's town-centre site benefits from good transport connections, including what was described in the announcement as roughly a 30-minute drive to central Liverpool — a detail that underlines the nursery's accessibility for commuting families across the wider area.
For staff and parents, key questions will centre on operational changes, staffing continuity and any planned investment in the premises or curriculum. The acquiring group has indicated it will invest and maintain standards, but has not published a detailed timetable or list of immediate changes.
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Setting name | Play Away Day Nursery (now rebranded) |
| Owner (seller) | Grainne McGoven-Scott |
| New owner | Kids Planet Day Nurseries |
| Capacity | Up to 87 children |
| Age range | 0–5 years |
Families seeking further detail should contact the nursery directly or keep an eye on communications from Kids Planet for information about any changes to opening hours, staff structure or enrolment procedures. Local councillors and the town's early years networks are likely to monitor the transition as well, to ensure continuity of local provision.
This acquisition is part of a wider pattern in the early years sector in which independent, owner-run nurseries are being bought by larger groups. For Runcorn parents, the sale marks the end of one long chapter and the start of another — one that comes with promises of investment but also the need for close scrutiny as changes are implemented.
