Nursery World - Nurseries are new venture for Co-op

Twelve day nurseries could be operated by the Co-operative Society in the south-west of England within the next five years as one branch expands its activities into childcare. The Oxford, Swindon and Gloucester Co-op, the fourth largest regional co-operative society in the UK, took over the running of its first day nursery last month. It plans to open a further two nurseries in Oxfordshire in the summer, followed by one in Swindon and one in Gloucestershire at the start of next year.

The Oxford, Swindon and Gloucester Co-op, the fourth largest regional co-operative society in the UK, took over the running of its first day nursery last month. It plans to open a further two nurseries in Oxfordshire in the summer, followed by one in Swindon and one in Gloucestershire at the start of next year.

Childcare provision is a new business area for the Co-op and one it plans to develop further. Carol Jenkins, Co-op childcare business manager, said, 'This is a first for the Co-operative movement. Childcare seemed a very ethical fit with the society and its principles of self-help, self-responsibility and equity.'

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