DOZENS of jobs will be simply child’s play at a new nursery in South Tyneside.
Bede Burn Kindergarten in Bede Burn Road, Jarrow, which has been developed on the site of a former care centre, is set to create more than 30 jobs.
Owner Eamonn Gribben, who already runs Noah’s Ark Nursery and Westoe Village Kindergarten, both in South Shields, has a proven track record of transforming vacant buildings into nurseries.
He said: “It’s great to put this former council building to good use.
“With my previous nurseries, those buildings have been empty for at least five years and it has felt great to make them part of the community again.
“Not only will this create much-needed, low-cost childcare in the area, where the profits go straight back into the nursery, but jobs as well.”
The new Jarrow facility will create 35 jobs, once the 83-place private nursery is up to capacity, including childcare and catering apprentices, plus maintenance staff.
Bede Burn Kindergarten will incorporate a special café for parents, grandparents and guardians who want to spend time with the children, or just give them breakfast before they start the day.
Family fun exercise sessions are also planned for this summer, with youngsters encouraged to plant vegetables and eat them on site.
Parents will be invited to become a major part of the kindergarten, by telling staff all about their youngsters. The nursery also includes a special wall, to mark children’s achievements, such as their first words or steps.
Nursery manager Alex Knox said: “The parents are going to be just as important to us as their children.
“They need to know their children are in the right environment, just as much as we need to create it for them.
“We want to hear about what our parents think of the nursery.
“We know we are new and we only want to get better.”
The nursery also provides before and after-school care, as well as holiday provision and parents can claim their 15 hours free childcare.
Bede Burn Kindergarten will hold an official open day on Saturday, from 11.30am.
This will include appearances by Peppa Pig and Cinderella, plus a bouncy castle, face painting and inflatable assault course.
Twitter: @terrykelly16
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