The children and staff of Oxford’s newest day nursery were treated to a visit and official opening on Thurdsay 19 January 2017 by Caroline Dinenage MP, parliamentary under secretary of state for women, equalities and early years.
The Old Station Nursery’s latest nursery, which is its fifth, opened its doors at The Oxford Science Park on 3 January 2017 following a £100,000 refurbishment that included interior decorating throughout, all new equipment, and garden refurbishment. The nursery opened to meet the growing demand for childcare spaces in Oxford. The new Oxford nursery provides day care to parents and carers both on the Park and those in the surrounding area for up to 72 children from birth to five years old.
The official opening was part of a wider opportunity for the Minister to learn more about Oxfordshire’s childcare provision, which currently includes 350 early years and childcare providers, 250 schools, many with nursery classes, six nursery schools and 650 childminders.
Minister for the early years, Caroline Dinenage, said: “Making sure our children learn, develop and flourish at this critical time in their lives is vital – I’m privileged to be meeting so many dedicated early years staff who show such passion for their job in my visits around the country.
“Early education is such an important part of making sure all young people are given the tools to achieve their full potential. That’s why we are supporting working parents of three- and four-year olds by doubling our free childcare offer from 15 hours per week to 30, backed by our record investment of £6 billion per year by 2020.”
Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Education Steve Harrod said: “We very much welcomed the opportunity to show the Minister just a snapshot of some of the great things that are happening to provide day care for Oxfordshire’s children.
“It is absolutely vital that children get the best possible start in life, and high-quality early education can be crucial in making a difference to children’s achievements later in school.
“There is a wide range of excellent provision here in Oxfordshire and The Old Station Nursery at Oxford Science Park is a fantastic new addition. We are working closely with nurseries and other providers both to ensure demand for places can continue to be met and that the highest possible standards of education are available to families with pre-school-age children.”
Sarah Steel, managing director, The Old Station Nursery, who also chairs The Oxfordshire Early Years Board, added: “We are so proud of the new nursery as the latest addition to all the great work that is being done across the county. Our new nursery is light and airy and is already welcoming babies and children from parents and carers on the Park and the local area. Also we have had a successful recruitment drive which has resulted in new jobs being created with more in the pipeline and the appointment of an apprentice. The Minister’s visit and official opening was the icing on the cake after a few months of hard work to open a nursery of which we are all very proud.”
Piers Scrimshaw-Wright, managing director, The Oxford Science Park added: “We are delighted with The Old Station Nursery’s commitment here at the Park. Our relationship is highly collaborative, founded on our want to see the business prosper and grow, and the children to flourish. For many, having convenient, first class, early learning provision close to one’s place of work is an important ingredient of achieving a good work – life balance. The nursery is a very important amenity that we will continue to support.”
To request a brochure or arrange a tour of the new Nursery, please contact : osp@theoldstationnursery.co.uk or call 01865 777 167.
Photo caption: Minister for Early Years Caroline Dinenage opened The Old Station Nursery at The Oxford Science Park. Left to Right back row: Ramona Kanpschuster, Nusery Manager; Steve Harrod, Cabinet Member for Education, Oxfordshire County Council, Christine Malone, Oxfordshire County Council; Sarah Steel, MD, Nursery; Caroline Dinenage; Piers Scrimshaw-Wright, MD, The Oxford Science Park, a new mother and her baby, Louise, Nursery team.