Nursery already looking to expand
A NURSERY that has been open just a few months is looking to expand its premises.
Woodlands Nursery and Pre School in Earl Shilton has filed plans to build a toddlers area and a quiet room at the side of the converted bungalow where it is based.
Owner Beverley Hutt bought the home after she was forced to leave the former rented space she was using in the village.
The pre-school has stayed open during the coronavirus lockdown, to provide care for the children of key workers. New children have also joined them from other nurseries that have closed while the restrictions have been in force.
Ms Hutt said previously: “With what’s going on, the older ones are aware. We are reinforcing handwashing and hygiene.
“They are fine. Everything else is as normal for them. They have six hours of fun and they go home. It’s lovely.”
Woodlands is based next to Kingsfield Court care home, with the proposed buildings to extend the side of the nursery next to the residential home.
Ms Hutt applied to convert the house after her previous nursery in the village, Little Foxes, was faced with closure in 2019.
She started a childcare business in 1996 and took on her first pre-school 10 years later, renting venues but always wanting to have her own place.
The pre-school had been hoping to do regular activities with the residents next door, but these plans have stopped for the time being.
Ms Hutt said: “We have had many lovely comments from families of the residents, about how their parents/ grandparents love seeing the children laughing and playing in our garden.
“They very often bang on their windows waving and smiling to us all.”
Youngsters at Woodlands celebrated the 75th anniversary of VE Day with some ‘old school’ party games with plenty of red, white and blue, while 1940s music was played in the garden.