Business Development - A sure way to spell success

To have each of its four nurseries graded Outstanding shows that ABC Day Nurseries must be doing something right. Its mission statement - 'Providing the best care for your child is as important to us as it is to you' - is appreciated by families using each of its nurseries, as is its emphasis on a 'homely, fun and loving environment'.

The latest ABC Day Nursery opened its doors last September to serve a new community estate, Lightmore Village, which was built by the Bournville Village Trust in Telford. Six months later it was proudly displaying its Outstanding grade for all to see.

Owner Penny Hustwick says, 'While myself and the team expected to get outstanding for certain elements of the nursery we didn't expect to get outstanding overall as we had only been open for six months. Our other three nurseries were all graded outstanding in 2008 so it's great to be able to say that all our provision is up to the same standard.'

Ms Hustwick began her career as an NNEB qualified nursery practitioner, working in nursery schools and then a special school, before deciding to launch her first ABC Day Nursery, in Wrockwardine, in 1993. 'My Dad owned his own business so I come from a commercially minded background. I liked the idea of owning a nursery and I was intrigued to give it a go,' she says.

The business remained a single site for 11 years until an opportunity arose in 2004 to launch a nursery on the premises of Hollinswood Infants School.

'We had to go through a tendering process which was all new to me and I was quite surprised when we won,' says Ms Hustwick. 'In 2007 we opened our third purpose-built nursery within the Hadley Learning Community, which is quite unique in that it includes a primary and secondary school, a special school, family centre and other community services. We spent a year working alongside construction company Interserve and this is a very special project which fits with our interest in inclusion and special educational needs.'

Ms Hustwick went on to complete a BA in Early Childhood Studies, which she feels is important to her ability to lead. Strong leadership and management, she believes, are key to the success of ABC Day Nurseries.

'We appointed an area manager in 2008 because we felt we needed someone to assist on policies and procedures, and planning and monitoring quality across the group to keep one step ahead of any changes,' she says.

Meanwhile the new nursery is going from strength to strength. Registered for 72 children, it now has eight full-time, and one part-time staff.

'The estate is a mix of family housing, along with a care home, shops, a school and a GP and other services,' she says. 'Places were given as a priority to families on the estate, but we are open to all.

Children and parents love the nursery's homely feel, which goes for all our sites.'

• www.abc-daynursery.co.uk