Taaleem Holdings, a leading provider of K-12 premium education in the UAE, has signed a Sale and Purchase Agreement to acquire 95 percent shareholding in Kids First Group Limited (KFG), a leading early-learning premium education provider in the GCC.
The acquisition will be fully self-funded through a mix of equity and debt and is expected to be completed in the fourth quarter of Taaleem’s financial year 2024/25, subject to regulatory approvals and other pre-completion conditions.
Following the completion of the acquisition, KFG will be run as a standalone vertical within Taaleem’s portfolio, with the existing management, including the company’s founder – Kamil Najjar, who continues as a Shareholder with a 5 percent stake, working with Taaleem’s Board of Directors to leverage their deep expertise in the sector and proven track record of delivering sustainable growth and high-quality education.
KFG complements Taaleem’s highly sought-after K-12 offering with KFG’s network of top-rated premium nurseries. The acquisition is expected to deliver a value-accretive expansion for Taaleem into the high-growth early-learning segment, offering immediate accretion to both earnings and cashflow.
KFG operates a diversified network of 34 centrally located nurseries with premium positioning in areas close to business districts and within residential districts in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Doha. It currently serves more than 5,000 students across multiple leading brands. KFG offers four curricula at various price points, enabling the company to offer a tailored education offering that caters to a broad segment of the market. The business is cashflow accretive from day one.
KFG offers a unique opportunity for Taaleem to acquire a “plug-and-play” platform with an impressive track record of delivering and managing high growth. The transaction is in line with Taaleem’s disciplined and value-driven approach in deploying capital.
Officials on KFG Acquisition by Taaleem
Khalid Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board of Taaleem, said that, “This acquisition of Kids First Group represents an important next chapter in Taaleem’s growth strategy. By expanding further into the early-learning education segment, we are creating a comprehensive educational pathway that supports children from their earliest stages of development through to K-12 education.”
“Kids First Group’s proven track record and diverse network of leading nurseries, which receive strong recognition and demand amongst parents, strongly complement our existing market-leading portfolio, while further diversifying Taaleem’s offering. This strategic move reinforces our defensive positioning and our commitment to scalable, high-quality education in the region.”
Kamil Najjar, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of KFG, noted that, “Since its inception, KFG has been built for one unwavering purpose: the well-being and development of the KFG individual child. For over 14 years, this singular mission has guided the Group’s growth and success.”
“Today marks an exciting new chapter in KFG’s journey. Taaleem’s strong educational legacy will enable both organizations to enhance educational standards and accelerate the growth of premium early learning centers. Together, KFG and Taaleem are committed to setting a new benchmark in early childhood education – preparing children to thrive in an increasingly complex and fast-evolving world, and ensuring they benefit from holistic, world-class learning environments from their earliest years,” Najjar concluded.
