Snapdragons Children’s Day Nursery to open new nursery in Keynsham

KEYNSHAM, Bristol - February 3, 2012 - Locally owned company, Snapdragons Nurseries, has announced today that it will be opening its seventh nursery in September after buying Ellsbridge House, Keynsham, which was formerly Norton Radstock Veterinary College.

The Grade II listed property is undergoing sympathetic renovations, by building contractors Oakland Construction, to restore the original proportions internally, and to create a bright, spacious, custom-designed learning environment. The extensive grounds will provide plenty of space for children to play, care for resident pets, grow vegetables and take part in the Forest School sessions that will be a major focus of the new nursery. An old coach house will be converted to a creative arts studio for extra-curricular activities like languages, dance, music, and art.

Snapdragons say that the new children’s day nursery will create approximately 40 jobs in an area which has recently been hard hit by the closure of the Cadbury's factory in Keynsham. The jobs will range from apprenticeships for school leavers, through to qualified childcare practitioners and degree level leadership roles. The new children's day nursery will initially provide childcare for around 100 children aged 0-5 years with the scope to provide a further 50 places in the future.

Snapdragons' owner, Bath mother-of-four, Rosemary Collard, is excited about this new project. “It's wonderful to be opening in such a premier location and we’re very happy to be able to offer some good news on jobs in the current climate. We have some exciting plans for the new nursery.”

These plans include an on-site training centre where high-quality professional development training will be delivered to Snapdragons' employees as well as practitioners from other early years settings.

“This training facility is the natural progression of our ongoing commitment to training in childcare expertise,” says Rosemary. “Over the past fourteen years we have sponsored apprentices and furthered the learning of students from many local colleges including Bath College and Norlands. We have a skilled team, and are keen to share the knowledge we have built up. We will initially be offering Forest School training with own qualified Forest School Leaders.”

The company also plans to open the facility to the local community. Snapdragons have developed robust recruitment procedures including regular recruitment evenings and feel they can share their experience with local schools and colleges, providing students with an opportunity to practise CV writing and interview techniques in a realistic employment environment.

Availability

Snapdragons Keynsham is due to open in September 2012, 08:00 - 18:00, five days a week. For further information about any Snapdragons Nursery, please go to www.snapdragonsnursery.com or phone 01225 707009. A project diary will be available, charting the progress of the renovations and listing important information about registration and recruitment and can be found at www.snapdragonsnursery.com/keynsham.

Snapdragons Nurseries Ltd was founded in 1998 by Rosemary and Paul Collard when they opened their first day nursery in their own home in Atworth, Wiltshire. The challenge of juggling the care of her four young children with her career, first working for British Airways and then as a Infant School teacher, was Rosemary's inspiration for a nursery offering full day care for young children. Fourteen years later Snapdragons has expanded to include seven nurseries in Wiltshire, Bath and now Keynsham. The business cares for nearly 1000 children and employs around 150 staff including Rosemary and Paul's son, James, who is a Director.

Press Contact

Mary Llewellin
Snapdragons Nurseries Ltd
m-llewellin@snapdragonsnursery.com
01225 707009