UAE school operator Taaleem acquires Kids First nursery group

UAE school operator Taaleem has agreed to buy a 95% stake in Dubai-based early learning provider Kids First Group, which manages 34 nurseries catering to 5,000 students across the UAE and Qatar.

KFG founder Kamil Najjar will retain a 5% stake and stay on as CEO.

Taaleem, which is listed on the Dubai Financial Market, said the acquisition would be self-funded through equity and debt.

Taaleem shares were up 6% today following the announcement.

Last year Taaleem signed a deal with Harrow School, the 450-year-old British boys school that counts Winston Churchill among its alumni. It is set to open two new Harrow facilities in the UAE next year.