While it is often the case that established nurseries launch training arms, Future Creative is a training company which has decided to launch a nursery.
The social enterprise is opening its Creative Minds nursery in April, based in Deal, Kent. It will provide a centre of excellence for practice and give added impetus to the company's wide-ranging training programmes.
As a consultancy Future Creative works nationwide with local authorities, schools, nurseries and the youth sector on education and creative learning, early years training, arts and community engagement and professional development. It originally grew out of the Government-funded Creative Partnerships initiative in 2002, which finished two years ago. When the end of funding came into view, chief executive Esme Chilton took an entrepreneurial approach and set up Future Creative as a social enterprise.
'Since then we've continued to develop new areas of work but with cuts to funding across the board it has been tough,' she says. 'However, early years partnerships have been a lifeline for us and have provided a bridge to become a viable social enterprise.'
The new nursery is an exciting opportunity to realise creative thinking around nursery practice and environment, and will be set up as a private company. Its home will be in the Old Telephone Exchange, a large 1920s building located in a residential street, just off the high street in Deal centre. Ms Chilton reports that the site's refurbishment is being aided by an interest-free loan from Kent County Council as part of the Expansion East Kent programme, which is designed to boost business in the area.
'Deal is an up-and-coming town with a lot of young families,' she says. 'There is a pre-school and daycare provision in the town, but there are no other daycare providers within easy walking distance of the high street. The Telephone Exchange will make a fabulous nursery, offering the very best quality provision.'
Initially the building will open with just the downstairs space to accommodate 40 children, aged from three months to five years. As occupancy builds towards the maximum of 80 children, the upstairs will be fully developed.
Future Creative expects it will have between 12 and 14 staff on board when it opens. It is currently recruiting a manager, among other positions, who will need to have a teaching qualification and EYP status.
'The outdoors is also a priority,' says Ms Chilton. 'We are converting the existing car park into an area with raised decks and coloured tarmac, with canopies and wooden play equipment. I have been very influenced by Reggio Emilia practice and will be following this through in all aspects of the nursery so that children have real life learning experiences.'
