Lorraine Cato began her quest to find the perfect location for her first nursery more than five years ago, even setting up as a childminder in the meantime to begin her own practice.
She finally found her opportunity with an old community building in the grounds of St Stephen's Parish Church. After 16 months of development, Little Angels Nursery and Pre-school in Belle Vue, Liverpool, opened its doors in September last year.
'I wanted the right property and the right location so I was willing to wait. I always knew I would open a nursery,' says Lorraine.
'I was childminding from my house for three years. I thought it would be okay because the house was so big but logistically it was difficult. It really takes over the whole house. But the children skipped in really excited and we had a long waiting list. It was very much through word-of-mouth; we didn't do any advertising.'
The demand led to Lorraine expanding to co-childminding six children, and the success of the business gave her added confidence to continue her search for a nursery.
When a local playgroup Lorraine had attended in St Stephen's grounds closed down, she seized her moment.
'When I went to the church they were so pleased, and said they had been praying for someone to come to them with an idea for the building because it was such a great space, even though it needed a lot of work.'
The church then managed to get a grant for the development, which ended up paying for most of it. 'They have been great, we're really happy they've been with us, it's a real support,' she says.
Starting out as a nursery nurse more than 20 years ago, Lorraine began her career in a social services nursery run by Liverpool city council. She gained hands-on training and experience in special needs and dealing with a diverse range of families.
Although Ofsted has registered Little Angels for 48 places, Lorraine is in no hurry to expand its current intake of 27, and is determined to put quality before quantity.
'With the new children I have seen a difference in such a short time. I think it's the free spirit of the place. People say they've never seen a nursery with such a big space yet still so cosy,' she says.
'We've got room for 48, but I don't want it to get too big. As long as I'm getting a wage, that's fine.'
The mantra at Little Angels is a personal service, spearheaded by Lorraine and her deputy Sandra, who know every child and parent.
'Basically, I wanted to transfer my practice as a childminder - laid-back, with children just kicking off their shoes when they arrive. The staff love it too. Straightaway I could look around and see them implementing our relaxed, calm attitude in the nursery,' she says.
'That customer care is what sets us apart, we make children feel welcome and treat them like individuals.'
There was a big setback when Lorraine secured a property three years ago and realised she could not get planning permission to develop the location. 'There were only four parking spaces and it was not big enough outside,' she remembers.
This did not put her off though. 'We got planning permission at St Stephen's in May 2007 but then it took over a year to do the building work, so that took patience too.
'I plan to open another nursery, although I wouldn't do it in the next few years because I want to wait until Little Angels one is established.'
