Kangaroo Pouch bounces into China

The Tividale-based business, which has nurseries in Tividale, Great Bridge, Charlemont, Willenhall and Walsall, has recently signed a memorandum of understanding with Jiangsu Junyi Education Group, announcing a partnership to open British-style nurseries in Nanjing, China.

It comes after the company attended the Government’s early years education trade mission to China last year.

Anita Patel Sahota, the chief executive and founder of Kangaroo Pouch, said: “We are aiming to open 15 centres in Jiangsu Province over the next three years. These settings will be delivering an integrated curriculum based on the early years foundation stage and Kangaroo Pouch UK will provide extensive support on teacher training and quality control.

"The first nursery will open by the end of this year and the second site is also secured. This is the first partnership for Kangaroo Pouch in China. We also have plans to explore further collaboration in other areas of China.”

Corin Crane, chief executive of the Black Country Chamber of Commerce, said: “China is an incredibly important market for the Midlands, but sometimes the size of China can put smaller businesses off looking there for new trade partners. This type of collaboration highlights that with the right product, an ambitious management team and the right support relationships between China and the UK can turn into a real game changer."

Ian Harrison, head of exports in the Midlands for the Department for International Trade, said: “Kangaroo Pouch is a shining example of an ambitious local business taking advantage of the support available to secure new contracts in international markets.

“The firm identified the need for its service when visiting the area last year, and will now play a role in the education of many young children across Jiangsu Province. What Kangaroo Pouch has achieved is brilliant, however - the same help and support from trade advisers on the ground in the Black Country is also available to your business.”