Mama Bear's nursery group moves up chains league table
Meredith Jones Russell
Friday, August 2, 2013
South-west nursery group Mama Bear's has bought a former pub which it plans to convert into a nursery, taking the number of its settings to 19.
The new setting in Totterdown, Bristol, is due to open in January 2014. The 19 nurseries owned by the group will offer a total of 1,243 places.
This is the second new nursery announced within the space of a month for the Mama Bear's nursery group. in July, the group unveiled plans to convert a Grade II listed building, also in Bristol, into a nursery due to open next year.
The news reflects the group's strong desire to grow. In Nursery World's Nursery Chains 2012, Mama Bear's Day Nursery, which operates settings throughout Bristol, Devon and Somerset, was a new entry at number 17. The two new acquisitions will firmly place the group within the top 15 largest nursery chains in the UK and Ireland.
The new site in Totterdown will cater for 80 children aged three months to five years.
Prospective parents will be invited to have a look at the new nursery’s layout taking shape, which will include an extensive outdoor area, during the summer.
Recruitment of staff will also begin over the next few months, with the setting expected to create up to 40 new jobs.
Clare Godfrey, from Mama Bear’s Day Nursery, said, ‘We are so excited to be opening a new nursery in Totterdown and adding to our portfolio of much-loved nurseries in Bristol. It is in a great location for those who live or work in the area or anyone who commutes from Bristol Temple Meads. I think it’s going to be a great asset to the local area.
‘The great thing about this nursery is the large outdoor area at the back of the building. With lovely views across Bristol, we are hoping to turn the garden into a fab feature for the children to enjoy.’
