The New Opportunities Fund's (NOF) Building Neighbourhood Nurseries programme last week awarded more than 234,000 to fund the building of three new nurseries and the development of a further three. NOF chair Baroness Jill Pitkeathley said, 'These are exciting new projects and this funding will enable them to begin closing the gaps in childcare provision, particularly in disadvantaged areas.'
A farmhouse is to be modernised with a 98,000 grant awarded to the Oaks Day Nursery in Ellesmere Port, Merseyside. The renovation will create a 52-place nursery for under-fives. Nursery owner Sue Mills said, 'We aim to retain the wonderful characteristics of the property to make it a home-away-from-home environment for children. Without funding this project would not have been possible.'
Care for Kids in Mill Hill, Blackburn, Lancashire, plans to open in May after receiving a 70,000 grant. A Victorian manor house is being converted into a modern childcare facility with 63 places. Nursery owner Michelle Newton said, 'We have made links with the local college and found many teenage mothers who wish to return to study but can't because of inadequate childcare. They are among the parents we are targeting.'
Funding of 50,000 will enable Whizzkids Community Nursery in Birmingham to relocate in a new 52-place setting on unused land in Tyseley. Grants to help nurseries develop their capital funding schemes have also been awarded to North Notts Nurseries (3,600) and Claremont House Early Years (11,349), both in Nottinghamshire, and the Cudworth and West Green Community Partnership in Barnsley, Yorkshire (1,405).
