A decade of top child care

LITTLE Learners Full Day Care Nursery is celebrating 10 years in business under the care of award- winning owner Beverly Smith.

Beverly, 49, from Grangetown in Sunderland, has seen her nursery, in Ettric Grove, grow since she took over the reins in 2003.

Beverly is set to expand the nursery further in order to accommodate more toddlers.

She said: “We are going from strength to strength. Our unique selling point is that parents can change their childcare plans on a week- to- week basis.

“Due to high demand spaces are limited so we are expanding the first floor so we can take in 24 more toddlers.”

The nursery has been completely refurbished, both internally and externally, and continues to provide stimulating learning environments.

“It’s the third time we have refurbished in ten years,” said Beverly, who has transformed the nursery by using neutral colours.

“The neutral colours are more relaxing for the children and we have a lot of natural resources in the garden, including a pet corner – home to a little guinea pig.”

There are three main rooms: a baby room, toddler area, and an education room for children aged three and above, plus a sensory room on the first floor, which provides additional resources and equipment to provide enhance learning and development.

“The children really enjoy the relaxing environment as it is an escape from the busy nursery.”

A strong team of 18 staff includes: two members with qualified teacher status, a BA Hons Education and Curriculum Studies graduate, while three others hold a Foundation degree in Early Years Education.

“We are constantly striving to improve our qualified team and are recruiting qualified nursery nurses,” added Beverly, who won Business Person of the Year in 2010, and Employer of the Year in 2012, at the SunFM Awards.

Nursery manager Deborah Batey won the Sunderland Echo Portfolio Awards for Employee of the Year, in 2010, for her support in improving outcomes for children and families.

Looking to next year, Beverley is introducing a healthy nursery accreditation in January which she says, will help toward getting an Outstanding rating from Ofsted. The nursery currently has a good rating from Ofsted.

“I’d like to thank the families over the last decade for their continued support and we look forward to another ten years meeting new children and families,” added Beverly.