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Foresight Invests £3.5 Million to Help Northern Ireland Nursery Little Rays Grow

Prime Highlights:

  • Foresight Group invests £3.5 million to support the growth and expansion of Little Rays, a well-known Northern Ireland nursery group.
  • Paula Kane, founder of Ashdale Care, joins as Chair to guide Little Rays through its next phase of growth while maintaining high-quality care.

Key Facts:

  • Little Rays serves around 400 children and employs over 100 staff across Lisburn, Ballymena, and Moira.
  • The investment will help Little Rays expand its capacity, create more jobs, and make childcare more accessible to local families.

Background:

Foresight Group has invested £3.5 million in Little Rays Limited, a popular nursery group in Northern Ireland.

Founded in 1993 by Michelle and Kieron Rea, Little Rays has three daycare centers and one preschool for children aged two months to 12 years. The group looks after about 400 children and employs over 100 staff in Lisburn, Ballymena, and Moira. Little Rays is known for its high-quality, child-focused care. The investment will help Little Rays expand, create more jobs, and serve more families.

Paula Kane, who founded Ashdale Care, will become Chair and co-invest in the business. Her experience in growing mission-driven companies will guide Little Rays while keeping high standards of care.

Michelle Rea, founder of Little Rays, said the partnership with Foresight is an exciting step that will allow the business to grow while keeping the values and quality that have been at its core for over 30 years.

Ashleigh McCrum, Operations Director, said she is excited about the new opportunities and remains committed to Little Rays’ values and positive impact in Northern Ireland.

Graeme McKinstry, Director at Foresight Group, said they are pleased to support Little Rays in this next phase of growth. This investment allows the company to scale in a market ripe for consolidation, creating jobs and increasing childcare provision.”

The funding comes from Foresight’s Ireland and Northern Ireland investment funds, including the AIB Foresight SME Fund and Foresight Regional Investment Funds VI. With offices in Belfast and Dublin, Foresight has so far invested close to £30 million across Ireland and Northern Ireland, supporting growth in many different industries.