Expansion and Move for College Nursery
News release
27th July 2012
The Old Station Nursery in Newark could move to a new home and double the number of child places if planners give the go-ahead at a meeting next month.
The Old Station Nursery currently based at Newark College has applied to move to a Grade II listed building just yards down the road which would allow the setting to increase the number of children it is allowed to care for from 30 to 60.
The expansion plan also includes starting a new after-school club for children aged between five and 11 years old.
The move, which is in the final stages of the planning application process, will see the 25 children currently on the books along with 15 staff, move from one large pre-fabricated building to the three-storey Martin Forster House on Appleton Gate.
Nursery Manager Alison Holmes said: “We are very excited about this move. We plan to use all three floors of the new building, giving us a separate room for the babies which will be much more beneficial, more space for the older children to play, a staff room, kitchen and office space.
“The garden is also wonderful, a huge space which gets lots of sunshine with a lovely lawn for the children to play on. The chance to expand was an opportunity we leapt at and we’re all just excited to get in there.”
The Old Station Nursery Group took over an existing nursery at the college in 2007. Plans for the new premises include dedicated spaces for different age groups, upgrading facilities inside the building, car parking spaces and room to park bikes and securing the garden so tots can have the run of the outdoors.
The former vicarage dates back to 1730 and was previously occupied by architectural firm MHI Fellows Hallatt. The relocation will safeguard 15 jobs and provide an opportunity for further growth of the nursery, helping to retain much needed pre-school childcare facilities in the heart of Newark.
Sarah Steel, Managing Director of The Old Station Nursery, commented: “The lease was up at the college site and we thought this would be a perfect opportunity for us to expand in a growing town.
“This will be the first time we’ve set up an after-school club at this setting and I think it will be a very popular option for a lot of parents. It is a very exciting time for us; we just want to get in there and get cracking on the refurbishment!”
Newark and Sherwood District Council’s Planning Committee is due to make a decision on Wednesday 8th August. If permission is granted work will start immediately, with a view to opening the new nursery by September.
To find out more about registering your child at the Newark setting contact the nursery on 01636 708043 or email newark@theoldstationnursery.co.uk
Ends
Notes to editors:
- Managing Director of The Old Station Nursery Sarah Steel set up the first nursery in Faringdon, Oxfordshire, in 2002 when she left the army and was unable to find suitable childcare for her two children.
- Sarah Steel was awarded The Enterprising Women of the Year Awards earlier this year. The award was given out by Enterprising Women magazine based in the United States: www.enterprisingwomen.com/EWofYearAwards.htm
- Visit www.theoldstationnursery.co.uk for more on the company.
Cerri Delaney
Shooting Star PR
01522 528540
cerri@shootingstar-pr.co.uk
www.shootingstar-pr.co.uk
t: @cerridelaney
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