Big Blue Marble Academy Acquires The Cedarhouse School (Midlothian, VA)

Leeds Equity Partners Acquires Big Blue Marble Academy from Avathon Capital

January 3, 2024

Education

Leeds Equity Partners has acquired Big Blue Marble Academy, a leading early childhood education and childcare provider operating 67 schools across eight U.S. states. The seller was Avathon Capital, which invested in BBMA in 2018 and helped grow the business to serve over 10,000 students with more than 2,000 staff; terms were not disclosed.

Big Blue Marble Academy Acquires Odyssey Early Schools

October 6, 2023

Education

Big Blue Marble Academy, a portfolio company of Avathon Capital, has acquired Odyssey Early Schools, a premium early childhood education provider based in Birmingham, Alabama. The transaction brings Odyssey into BBMA’s platform of early care and preschool centers and was advised by Founders Advisors; Odyssey was owned by Bob Mitchell and his family.

Busy Bees North America Acquires 13 Early Learning Schools from Kids N Us and Birch Tree Academy

February 4, 2026

Education

Busy Bees North America (BBNA) acquired thirteen early learning centers in the greater Seattle area — seven Kids N Us locations and six Birch Tree Academy locations — expanding BBNA’s U.S. footprint into Washington State. The deal adds roughly 380 educators and staff and more than 1,575 children and families to Busy Bees’ network, growing BBNA to about 270 centers across the United States and Canada.

Big Blue Swim School Acquires Tom Dolan Swim School

March 9, 2021

Education

Big Blue Swim School has acquired Tom Dolan Swim School, expanding Big Blue’s presence into Northern Virginia with locations in Dulles and Falls Church. As part of the agreement, Tom Dolan will join Big Blue’s team to help manage and grow the brand in the region while the Dulles and Falls Church pools transition to Big Blue over the coming three months.

O2B Kids (Spire Capital Portfolio) Acquires Cedars Preschool

February 1, 2022

Education

O2B Kids, a portfolio company of Spire Capital Partners, has acquired Cedars Preschool, a multi-site early education operator in the greater Atlanta, Georgia region. The add-on expands O2B's footprint in Georgia to ten schools and brings Cedars' eight locations and staff into O2B's platform to enhance curriculum and resources for families.

BlueWater Marinas and Bain Capital Real Estate Acquire Bayside Marine

February 16, 2026

Real Estate

BlueWater Marinas, backed by Bain Capital Real Estate, has acquired Bayside Marine, a full-service marina in Duxbury, Massachusetts. The Kent family will remain in place to oversee day-to-day operations as the acquisition expands BlueWater/Bain's portfolio of East Coast marina properties.