Taaleem Holdings to Acquire Kids First Group

Taaleem Holdings, a leading provider of K-12 premium education in the UAE, on Thursday said that it has signed a Sale and Purchase Agreement (SPA) to acquire a 95% stake in Kids First Group Limited (KFG), a leading premium GCC early learning education provider.

In a regulatory filing with Dubai Financial Market (DFM), Taleem Holdings CEO Alan Williamson said that the acquisition will be fully funded through a mix of equity and debt. The transaction is expected to close by the fourth quarter of Taaleem’s 2024/25 financial year, subject to regulatory approvals.

KFG operates an extensive network of 34 nurseries across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Doha, offering four distinct curricula through its prestigious brands, including Redwood Montessori Nursery, Odyssey Nursery, Willow Children’s Nursery, Ladybird Nursery and Children’s Oasis Nursery, serving more than 5,000 students.

This acquisition reaffirms Taaleem’s commitment to providing exceptional learning experiences and outcomes for families in the region, Williamson said.

“This acquisition strategically positions Taaleem to expand into the rapidly growing early-learning sector, complementing its existing portfolio of (K-12) schools,” he said.

Enhancing Taleem’s Value

KFG’s unique, scalable platform immediately enhances Taaleem’s value and earnings profile, delivering immediate shareholder accretion and contributing strong cash flows from day one. The transaction is in line with Taaleem’s disciplined, value-driven approach in deploying capital.

Upon completion of the acquisition, KFG will operate as a standalone vertical within Taaleem. The Founder and 5% shareholder of KFG, will continue to oversee the future growth of the Group as the CEO.

The current KFG management team will continue to leverage their operational expertise and strong track record of successfully growing the portfolio. This strategic move reinforces our defensive positioning and our commitment to scalable, high-quality education in the region.

Taaleem will hold a dedicated virtual investor call to provide further details and clarify aspects of the acquisition, Williamson said in the filing.