In little more than a year, Young Friends has evolved from a childminding business to a thriving nursery - and was praised on its first inspection.
Manager Louise Lloyd-Evans was using a small two-bedroom flat to mind up to four children. Inspired by obtaining her Early Years Professional Status, she became consumed by the ambition to open her own nursery - a place where she could combine the intimacy of a childminding relationship with the space, resources and staff to deliver the EYFS to the highest standard. She found the ideal residential property and gained funding in three months. Young Friends Nursery opened in January last year. It has places for 12 children aged up to five years old and employs five staff.
The once derelict house has been transformed into a setting that delivers excellence in every area. The spacious premises and garden have a free-flow system. The indoors have been designed around an open-plan kitchen, where the children prepare healthy home-cooked meals. Homely trimming includes cushions and rugs and there is plenty of light and space. A large garden includes sensory and digging areas, climbing equipment, mark-making opportunities in mud, sand and water and a vegetable patch for planting. Children even have a pet rabbit.
Louise recently completed the last major building project, a purpose-built baby room. She says, 'The renovation works met with various hiccups along the way, but we found ideas to overcome each one of them and worked hard to ensure that they did not disrupt the children's daily lives too much.'
HIGHLY COMMENDED
Little People Montessori, Thornaby, Cleveland
Little People won the tender to re-establish a Sure Start Nursery and in only eight weeks refurbished, staffed and re-opened the High Flyers Children's Centre. Staff dedication resulted in a good Ofsted report with three 'outstanding' features, just five months after opening.
FINALISTS
Brue Farm Day Nursery, Castle Cary, Somerset
Kids Planet, Lymm, Cheshire
Criterion
For a new launch of or significant expansion to an early years service in the past 12 months.
Sponsored by KID ease
