Figures show almost 14,000 pupils aged 7 to 13 are boarding at private preparatory schools in Britain this year – an increase of more than five per cent in just 12 months.

More schools are also building additional boarding facilities to cater for rising demand among parents.

The number of young girls choosing to board this year alone has soared by almost a fifth to just under 6,000.

But it was claimed that the rise may also be driven by the economic climate, with mothers and fathers forced to work increasingly long hours to make ends meet.

David Hanson, the chief executive of the Independent Association of Prep Schools (IAPS), said many families saw boarding as a cheaper alternative to hiring a full-time nanny.

Some parents are also attracted by the rise in “flexi-boarding” – flexible arrangements that allow children to stay for few nights a week without making a full-time commitment.

According to data, some 13,945 pupils are boarding at schools belonging to the IAPS this year, compared with 13,178 in 2010.

Figures show 218 schools now have boarding facilities, compared with 204 a year earlier.

The average prep school charges an average of just over £18,000-a-year for full-time boarding. By comparison, senior schools charge almost £25,000.

Boarding is believed to be much cheaper than many forms of childcare, with a full-time nanny in parts of the south-east costing as much as £40,000 after tax.

Mr Hanson said: “Busy professionals are realising the benefits of sending their children to these schools, which offer excellent facilities, healthcare, education and social environments, that can give them complete peace of mind, rather than paying for a nanny of uncertain quality.”

He added: “Paying a nanny is terrifyingly expensive. You don’t tend to think about it at the time as you pay it in monthly or weekly chunks, but when you calculate it over the year you’re staggered by how much you’ve spent.”

We are being asked to sell an ever wider range of Educational Businesses worldwide – it’s all very refreshing and exciting.  Educational businesses in the UK – from Prep Schools to Sixth Form Colleges, from International Colleges to Language Schools, from Consultancies to Educational Aids – are in major worldwide demand now.

Enquiries this month have come from most corners of the globe.

Indeed, the great majority of our enquiries now come from outside the UK.  The world has woken up to the fact that there are few countries more stable, more enterprising and more interesting than Britain and the UK has become a haven for international investment.

34% of London property is currently bought by international, non-UK investors.

Of particular note is the strong interest from universities in the Far and Middle East and the former Soviet bloc states in acquiring university campuses and forging academic links in England, Scotland and Wales.

Whoa, Whoa, Whoa!  Some very interesting and attractive businesses have come sidling up to our door looking for strong, decisive buyers.  Here is just a sample:

- Truly outstanding Dyslexia/SEN/Autism spectrum school.  Home Counties.  Convenient for London.  Ill health forces sale.  Excellent location and facilities.  Owner will facilitate handover.  Secure long leasehold.  Offers over £450,000 for quick sale. [Ref: B9222]

- Top quality, friendly UKBA Highly Trusted Language School in the Prosperous North serving over 30 nationalities.  Long established.  Sale for retirement.  Current management happy to stay.  Good secure leaseholds.  Excellent facilities and ambience.  Good, reliable, rising profits.  Offers over £750,000.  [Ref: B9220]

 - Small private language school in modest, convenient leasehold premises in W. London. £50,000.  [Ref: B9221]

- Large national nursery group with registration for over 800.  Loss-making overall but some very large nurseries and some profitable.  Mostly leasehold but at least £850,000 of freeholds.  Offers over £1,000,000 for quick sale.  [Ref: N0243]

- It’s not often we can offer a really good, traditional school in a City Centre.  This one has a good academic reputation, a very good Head who will stay, a lovely building and all-weather playground.  The school is loved and respected locally – and has been for well over 100 years.  Offers in excess of £1,800,000.  [Ref: B9224]

- Very good Northern language school with high standards and good credentials.  Business improving after tough recession and new UK controls.  Owner says he is a committed teacher but not a great businessman – happy to remain with a good business partner.  Offers around £200,000.  [Ref: B9226]

- Large, long-established, Central London UKBA Highly Trusted Language School with outstanding facilities and location.  Not currently profitable but should be.  Large freehold available or lease available.  Discussion and offers.  [Ref: B9219]

We are selling an exceptional large family school with generous grounds, a beautiful location and superb facilities (you name it) and a fine, long-standing academic reputation.  Reason for sale is retirement.  No rush – they will only sell to people they respect and trust.  Strong competition but profits holding up well.  Offers in excess of £5,000,000.  [Ref: B9216]