'We're a community nursery where demand for places has grown incredibly.
When the New Deal for Communities was awarded a 50m Government grant for the community it was our lifeline to extend the nursery.
'We applied for funding but found that our building would have to be completed within the financial year for us to be eligible. This ruled out a bricks and mortar extension because it would take too long so we opted for a modular building.
'Dominic Burns, an architect/project manager, was recommended to us and he was invaluable as he guided us through filling out the bids, costing, drawing up plans and gaining planning permission. His help took a lot of pressure off, especially as I had the nursery to run.
'We arranged for a company to construct the extension, but after months of delay we approached Securaccom who were fantastic. It marked out where the building was to go and within three weeks it had been delivered in five sections. We didn't even have to close the nursery, just made sure the children were indoors as sections were lifted by crane over the existing building and put into place.
'It was quite messy for a month but the children loved all the activity.
What with plumbers, electricians, lorry drivers and alarm men our female-dominated setting has been overrun with men!
The whole 50-place building cost 104,000, working out cheaper and quicker than a traditional extension. It blends in with the original building and is complete with two activity areas, kitchen, child and staff toilets and two offices.
'From applying for funding to moving into the completed building took a year and it's definitely all been worth it.'
