Media Release

Poole Nursery Owner calls for a collaborative approach to meet the Government's 30 hour free childcare measure

As children at Cuddles Day Nursery enjoyed seeing the on-going building work taking place at both the Canford Heath and Parkstone settings In Poole, owner Linda Duly called for a spirit of collaboration between nursery providers to meet the Government's 30 hour free childcare measure.

Linda Duly said, "We predict there will be a big demand for places as around 90% of parents will be eligible and likely to take it up. We see this as a great opportunity for businesses to collaborate. For example, if there are existing or new providers who cannot meet the entire 30 hours requirement because their nursery only has a limited amount of time in a particular building like a church or village hall, we can work in conjunction with them. Also we are very well placed to attract new working parents looking for childcare provision."

Earlier this year, Cuddles Day Nursery in Canford Heath was awarded £381,168 for the creation of 104 new places from September. The Parkstone setting was given £246,230 to create 52 new places. The money will be used alongside extra funds from Cuddles Day Nursery to support working families in the two communities and the total investment will be closer to £1 million.

The capital funding grant was made to the nursery as a result of the Government's decision, repeated in the recent Budget, which means that working parents will be entitled to 30 free hours for three and four-year-olds from the start of the next academic year.

Canford Heath Councillor Sandra Moore said, "This is great news for local families. I'm sure Cuddles was chosen to receive this grant because not only do they provide excellent quality childcare, they also want to work with other local childcare providers to help deliver the new, increased entitlement of 30 hours free child care."

 Purnima Tanuku OBE, Chief Executive of National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA), introduced a note of caution about the Government's 30 hour measure and commented: "The nursery sector is being as resourceful as possible in order to make 30 hours a success. We wish Cuddles Day Nurseries well with their plans and others who are expanding to meet demand.

"The sector is trying hard to seek solutions to the inadequate funding which the Government is giving to deliver expansion of funded hours. For some, partnership working is the way forward and will help many families across the country. More nurseries are working closely with schools and other providers to be able to deliver 30 hours for families.

"We are pleased that Cuddles Day Nursery has received capital funding for expansion, but in addition to this investment, the Government needs to listen to the sector and pay providers a fair hourly rate."

Building work started at Cuddles Day Nursery in Canford Heath on 3 January and is expected to be completed by the end of August. As well as two new classrooms which will take 24 children each and be open 50 hours a week for 51 weeks of the year, there will be a purpose built large play area which will be split into different age groups. At Cuddles Parkstone branch land has been acquired next to the nursery and a purpose built facility is taking shape, providing room for at least 24 additional children and an enhanced outdoor playing area.

The Nursery is a firm believer in the importance of children playing outdoors and plans to introduce an allotment so that the children can be involved with learning how to grow their own vegetables as well as the excitement of picking the produce and trying it for their lunch.

Further details about Cuddles Day Nursery from: www.cuddlesnursery.co.uk or T/: 01202 747198 (Parkstone), T/: 01202 672671 (Canford Heath) or 01202 280101 (Poole Stadium)

Further press information and hi res images from Jane Adkins, A Head for PR, T/: 01935 813114; M/: 07960698089 or E/: jane@aheadforpr.co.uk

Note to Editors

Cuddles Day Nursery Parkstone opens each weekday from 7.45am to 6pm for 51 weeks a year. It receives funding to provide free early education for children aged two, three and four years. The nursery employs 22 members of staff with the manager and owner holding early years professional status, 17 members of staff holding a level 3 qualification and three holding a level 2 qualification.

Cuddles Day Nursery operates at two other settings in the Poole area: Canford Heath and Poole Stadium. The three Cuddles settings are some of the highest achieving nurseries in Dorset.

With nearly 20 years' experience, Cuddles is one of the most established child care providers in Dorset and each Cuddles' setting has an outdoor play area, to encourage children to play freely and safely.