Educare acts to increase space to support working parents

Educare deputy nursery director Sara Day (right) and team leader Sarah Prince.

A CHILDREN'S nursery in Beverley which has expanded and invested significantly since opening nearly 20 years ago is poised for further growth in readiness for government plans to increase provision of free childcare.

Educare, which opened in 1998 with 12 staff and 24 pre-school children, now employs more than 30 people and looks after more than 150 children up to the age of 12.

With rising demand from working parents set to increase further as the government prepares to double the number of free places for children aged three and four, Educare has secured planning permission to install a second portable building at the rear of its premises in Mill Lane, Beverley.

The investment, which also includes recruiting two more staff, has been supported with a grant from East Riding of Yorkshire Council and will double the space available for the out of school club in time for the Christmas holidays. It will also ensure that Educare is able to accommodate more children when the government’s changes take effect.

David Whincup, owner of the family firm, said: “Childcare can be a big problem for parents because not many businesses work the same hours as schools. The requirement for childcare is increasing all the time.

“We have a number of families who already benefit from the government’s free service. We expect those parents to want to make more use of the service and we expect a lot of new enquiries as more people become aware of the changes. Two years ago the government introduced support for two year olds in certain categories, and that prompted increased demand for funded places.”

The government intends to fund up to 30 hours of care for nursery-age children from next September, but Mr Whincup said there are concerns within the sector that in some areas the move could actually lead to a reduction in available places.

He said: “Some childminders and small nurseries have indicated they may not offer the extended hours. We think that situation will prompt parents to start looking for places for their children early in the New Year, so we are investing now to meet the rising demand.”

Educare now has a full-time capacity of 70 child places and accommodates 140 pre-school children on a part-time basis. It opened an out of school club in 2011 and offers 30 places for use before and after school and during holidays by children aged between five and 12.

Educare’s client base has expanded to the extent that the nursery now operates a minibus to take children to and from schools which are beyond walking distance from the out of school club. Facilities in the club include toys, games and books and, increasingly, technology. Some children even use the iPads and laptops to make a start on their homework. In the garden, Educare has replaced its grass with artificial turf to enable children to play outside in all weathers.

Mr Whincup said: “Demand for the out of school club has been rising and, with a view to the changes next year, we are acting now to increase our capacity generally. Starting with the Christmas holidays we will be able to accommodate 40 children in the out of school club, which is open from 7.15am until 6.30pm every day except weekends and Bank Holidays. We are taking on two new staff and there may be more.

“This is a family-owned business and that is reflected in the way we operate the nursery and the out of school club. It’s a family environment and we are committed to improving and expanding the facilities continually.”