Nursery groups on expansion trail

North East nursery group Kids 1^st is to open its tenth nursery in July.

The new nursery - Kids 1^st Bowesfield (pictured), will be based at Stockton-on-Tees, and provide 108 places for children aged from three months to five years. The purpose-built setting will employ 25 full-time staff.

The nursery group currently operates nine settings throughout the North East of England, all of which are judged outstanding by Ofsted.

Mark McArdle, managing director of Kids 1^st, said, ‘Our tenth nursery coincides with our tenth anniversary year and what better way to celebrate. This is a really exciting time for Kids 1^st; we have had an exceptional ten years in business and we hope to continue that success with the new nursery.’

Snapdragons Nurseries, a group of seven settings in Somerset, is also opening a new nursery in the summer.

The group has purchased a Grade II listed old chapel in the Horfield area of Bristol, which will be turned into a 120-place nursery, employing 30 staff.

According to Snapdragons, the old chapel will undergo a ‘sensitive’ refurbishment to create a secure and welcoming setting with quiet spaces to relax, outdoor play areas and a purpose designed kitchen for children to learn how to cook.

Due to the close proximity of the setting to Southmead Hospital, the nursery group is also planning on introducing a new scheme for parents who work shifts or part-time.

The new nursery will be Snapdragons’ eighth setting, with three other nurseries in Bath and Keynsham, Somerset and four in North Wiltshire.

Owner Rosemary Collard said, ‘We have been looking for an opportunity to expand to Bristol for some time and were just waiting for the perfect site, so we are delighted to have been able to buy The Old Chapel, Horfield. It's a beautiful building which will make an inspirational setting and we're looking forward to bringing our proven outstanding care to children and parents of this area.’