EXCERPTS

ABC Learning Centres Ltd. has become the world's biggest publicly-listed childcare operator after completing a nearly $213 million purchase of the US-based Learning Care Group Inc.

The company announced plans in November to buy the US-Nasdaq listed Learning Care in a cash merger valued at $US159.1 million ($A212.7 million).

Learning Care operates 460 centres in 25 states in the US, under brands such as Child Time and Tutor Time.

The company also plans to delist Learning Care Group to bring it under the ABC fold.

ABC, which bought Peppercorn Management Group and Childcare Centre in Australia in 2004, said the acquisition made it the largest publicly-listed child care operator in the world.

- reprinted from the Sydney Morning Herald