Stressed parents arriving to collect their children from Kids Kapers day nursery in Bolton are being given the time and space to unwind at the end of their day with the launch of their own creche.
The parents' creche, which opened in March, has been designed and furnished to make it an oasis of calm and give parents the chance to slow down after a hectic day's work. It is strictly out of bounds for the nursery staff and children.
The creche is the brain child of Carol Dyson, proprietor of the family-owned group of nurseries based in the north-west, which are all committed to being inclusive and developing strong partnership working with parents.
'When we had our office downstairs, we had a couple of huge chairs with footstools in the welcome area for prospective parents,' says Mrs Dyson. 'I noticed that sometimes parents were coming in at the end of a busy day looking exhausted and flopping down in one of the chairs. I would offer them a cup of coffee and they would really appreciate the time to just stop and catch their breath for a few minutes.
'When we had our recent extension and loft conversion built, the idea came to me to give the parents their own space. It is a relaxing room with a fish tank that changes colours and is very soothing. It is furnished with leather couches and there are newspapers and magazines, and a television. We have a couple of jigsaws for adults - a 3D puzzle of a wineglass and another of a beer can - and there are colouring books for adults so they can chill out and de-stress. They can make themselves a cup of tea or coffee and just take the time to unwind.'
It has proved so successful that parents have to sign in before nipping upstairs to the creche. If they doze off and fail to show up to collect their children at 6pm, staff will check the log and know they are actually on the premises and not stuck in traffic.
'When we have parents who want to wait while their child settles, they can use the creche, but no staff or children are allowed in. Parents have until 6pm to collect their children in the evening. What happens is that they can be passing the nursery on their way home at about 5pm. Instead of going home and barely having a chance to put the kettle on before coming back out again, they have the chance to drop into the creche, unwind and then come down to the nursery and collect their child.
'It might mean we have to look after their children for a little longer, but the parents really appreciate it. They think it is a fantastic idea.'
Mrs Dyson adds, 'When someone has had a pig of a day and had to drive through heavy traffic, it can be so stressful. It just makes all the difference if they have had the chance to unwind before collecting their child and going home for the evening.'
