This chain was founded in 2002 by managing director Sarah Steel, amother 'who thought she could do better' and has since proved she could.During the company's expansion to 12 nurseries across a 300-mile radius,Sarah and her team never lost sight of what each nursery had to be, a'home from home'. Indeed, it is this principle that seems to haveguaranteed The Old Station Nurseries their solid, word-of-mouthreputation, which has proved the bedrock of their business success.
A turning point for the chain was winning the tender bid to provide thenursery at RAF Benson in Oxfordshire. Four more contracts with theMinistry of Defence followed, and this side of the business grew into aspecialised service.
These nurseries face unusual and sometimes tremendously difficultchallenges, with children often being without one parent for longperiods, and significant pressure placed on the other. Old Station alsohas two college nurseries, again demonstrating the central andindividual teams' ability to adapt while maintaining quality.
The 210-strong team is always at the heart of decisions and success, forexample, a triumphant Investors in People assessment last year. Eachsetting is given independence and trust, with highly trained managerssupported by the company structure.
While keeping financially stable was hard amid such rapid expansion andhard times for the industry, Old Station remains affordable to parents.Registration fees can be waived and nurseries try to offer the mostflexible care possible, so parents only pay for the hours they need.
The business has also been honoured outside the sector at theLincolnshire Business Awards in 2007, and by being selected by the EastMidlands Development Agency as one of the 28 'high growth' companies.This honour means Old Station will receive mentoring and support for ayear, so who knows what the chain will achieve next.
FINALISTS:
Chimneytots Pre-School; The Childcare Company
CRITERIA
For a new launch of or significant expansion to an early years servicein the past 12 months.
