Amsterdam/Houten, March 22, 2024 – Our portfolio company Kids Lodge has acquired the childcare organization BSO Wijs. The acquisition allows Kids Lodge to further expand its childcare activities in the Utrecht region.
With 10 locations in the Utrecht region, BuitenSpeelOpvang (BSO) Wijs offers “outdoor play care” to children aged 4 and older. BSO Wijs provides a unique care experience where children engage in outdoor activities in nature throughout the year, such as building huts and playing hide and seek. The children are given all the responsibility and freedom to challenge and develop themselves.
The acquisition of BSO Wijs is part of Kids Lodge’s growth ambitions. With this partnership, Kids Lodge is further expanding its activities in the Utrecht region. Following the acquisition of In de Rups in Houten/Zeist (2021), De Bereboot in Helmond (2023), and ‘t Zonnetje in Houten (2023), the collaboration with BSO Wijs marks the next step in the growth strategy.
Louise de Ruiter (Director, Kids Lodge): “It is my dream to further establish Kids Lodge as a family childcare center where children, parents, and staff can all enjoy themselves and work with passion. We strive to provide a journey of discovery for everyone, monitoring and encouraging the development of both children and staff. Care and community are important values for us, creating a place where everyone feels welcome.”
Frija Bleijerveld and Sandra Hofhuis (Directors, BSO Wijs): “What started as letting children play outside after school has evolved into a stable company with a strong identity over the past 13 years. Now that BSO Wijs has established a solid foundation, we feel it’s the right time to pass the organization to a local party who shares our passion for childcare and intends to further develop and expand the concept.”
About BSO Wijs
BSO Wijs was founded in 2011 and offers “BuitenSpeelOpvang”. The core principle of BSO Wijs is to enable children to play outside all year round, fostering a day filled with movement. Playing outside not only enhances children’s coordination and movement skills but also promotes social skills.
About Kids Lodge
Established in 2009, Kids Lodge provides care to approximately 2,500 children aged 0 to 12 with a team of over 400 employees. In addition to childcare, Kids Lodge also offers a Party Lodge, Sports Lodge, and Family Lodge, aiming to establish itself as a family centre. With locations in Houten, IJsselstein, Zeist, Bunnik, and Helmond, Kids Lodge is a well-known name in the Utrecht region and beyond.
About Holland Capital
Holland Capital has been responsibly and successfully investing in promising Dutch and German SMEs with growth ambitions for over 40 years. The team understands entrepreneurship and fosters an open, sustainable, and professional relationship with the management teams of the invested companies, aiming for mutual growth. With offices in Amsterdam and Düsseldorf, Holland Capital focuses on Healthcare, Technology, and the recently added Agrifood-Tech sector. The firm actively supports Kids Lodge in both operational and strategic development since becoming a shareholder in September 2021.
