New owner for Kington Children’s Centre Nursery

Kington Children’s Centre Nursery is to have a new owner with effect from September 1st 2008 as a result of a successful Herefordshire Council tendering process.

The nursery which provides childcare for 0-5 year olds in Kington and surrounding areas, had been struggling financially since its previous owners decided to withdraw from the business at short notice.  To keep the service up and running, Herefordshire Council took on the management and day to day running of the centre, but it has been difficult to sustain because of low numbers of children attending.

Earlier this year, the council’s children’s service scrutiny committee asked council officers to explore further ways to prevent the closure of the nursery.  Meetings took place with parents and members of the local community, and the business was put out to tender in the local newspaper.

Following the successful completion of a detailed application, including a detailed business plan, a new owner has been found for the nursery, Deborah Hulin.

Deborah has many years’ experience of working with very young children both as a nursery nurse and as a teacher at Kington primary school where she has taught the younger children for the last eight years.

Subject to Ofsted registration requirements being met, the nursery will remain open under local authority management until 31 August 2008 and Deborah will take over the business on 1 September.

Councillor Jenny Hyde, cabinet member for children and young people, said: “I am delighted to learn that the tendering process has been fruitful and wish Deborah and the staff at Kington Children’s Centre Nursery great success for the future.  Parents can now rest assured that their babies and pre-school children will continue to enjoy the services available at what is the only nursery able to take under 2 year olds in Kington’s Town Centre.

“My thanks go to the early years team who have worked incredibly hard to make this happen and will continue to offer support and guidance to the new owner, helping the nursery grow and become a high quality successful local childcare business that will be around for future generations to enjoy.”