Tag Archives: Nursery

News

Nursery owner freezes prices for parents and steps in to save after-school club from closure

A NURSERY owner stepped in to save an after-school club from closure and launched a price freeze to support parents in the cost-of-living crisis.

Tony Gibbons made the decision not to increase childcare rates at Kiddies Corner sites in Bryniau Road and Llewelyn Avenue, Llandudno, and Parc Menai in Bangor for existing children and those joining this summer, until they leave to join full-time education.

It comes as Tony, who employs up to 45 staff, added the after-school club at Ysgol San Sior in Llandudno to their portfolio following the news it was to shut down.

With more than 200 youngsters now on its books, Kiddies Corner has gone from strength to strength in the last 12 months, and that looks set to continue.

“The big freeze on prices is for anyone whose child joins us before the next academic year and children already with us, until that child moves on to school,” said Tony, who lives with partner Rachael and son Oscar in the town.

“Life is challenging for everyone right now, with rising fuel bills, mortgage rates, the cost-of-living crisis and more, and we don’t want to add to that.

“They’ve shown us so much loyalty and we want to repay that by helping out in any way we can.”

He added: “We won’t be able to continue that forever as a sustainable business, but for those with us now or joining ahead of the next academic school year, we will commit to that, which for those parents with children under the age of one will be three years or more paying the same price.

“Some may regard it as a strange move, but we see the business as a family, we support each other and if it means we will all be better off long-term then that’s all that matters.”

Tony is keen to increase and improve after-school provision at Ysgol San Sior – which will be known as KC Clubs from September – by working in partnership with local organisations to introduce gardening sessions, gym classes, football training and more.

“We have the infrastructure to take it on and move it forward, so the children and parents won’t have to miss out. I know a lot of them are relieved we stepped in and on a personal note I’m delighted we could help,” he said.

For Tony the developments and investment in Kiddies Corner have never been about profit, but reputation and legacy as he builds on the foundations laid by mum Janette, a former childminder who founded the company in 1999 before sadly passing away last year.

“We have just had our best ever month for revenue at all of our nurseries, since opening nearly 25 years ago, and that money will be put back into our facilities and our incredible team who work so hard to keep standards high,” he said.

“As one of the sector’s few Real Living Wage employers, we are proud of each and every one of our staff, and we are always looking to develop, personally and professionally, including the apprentices we bring in and encourage.

“With the new app and website launched, and the price freeze in place we are looking to do all we can to make our operation as smooth and seamless as possible for the parents and carers who trust us with their most prized possessions… their children.

“Our strategy is to keep growing, keep getting better and keep the wellbeing of our staff, the children and their families our top priority, that’s something that will never change.”

For more information on Kiddies Corner, visit the website www.kcnursery.com or call 03335 677 716. Alternatively, email hello@kcnursery.com or find them on Facebook and Instagram.

News

Nursery owner driven by mum’s death takes first steps toward major growth

A POPULAR nursery has taken its first steps toward significant growth following a post-pandemic surge in numbers.

With more than 30 staff on site at its three North Wales premises and plans to recruit up to 20 more this year, Kiddies Corner is recognised as one of the top childcare providers in the region.

The business currently has up to 150 children registered, aged three months to five years old, and director Tony Gibbons says that figure will increase in 2023 due to a rise in demand.

Launched by his mum Janette in 1999, Kiddies Corner has a strong reputation and Tony is focused on building on the standards she set from the company’s Bryniau Road site in Llandudno for over two decades.

Janette sadly passed away recently, but he is determined to make her proud and has added two new nurseries to the Kiddies Corner portfolio since taking the helm himself – Llewelyn Avenue, Llandudno, and Parc Menai, Bangor.

“Mum was a childminder and later started the business from West Shore with eight children, before growing that number to over 30 children per day” he said.

“She navigated the recession and other obstacles for more than 20 years and worked so hard, she will always be an inspiration to me and all the team here.

“The bar was set very high, and we aim to reach and surpass that benchmark every day – that’s her legacy.”

Tony was working in Australia and living with partner Rachel and their son Oscar when they made the decision to return to Llandudno and support Janette and her business.

He is proud of how far they’ve come and privileged to be a leading light in the childcare sector thanks to their innovative methods.

A user-friendly new app and website, paying staff the Real Living Wage and providing children with meals, nappies and wipes inclusive of the daily cost are uncommon in the industry.

They also have a reduced price on Saturdays, offering parents with flexible working hours the opportunity to lower costs at a challenging time for families across the country.

“All of these factors have led to more and more people getting in touch, which is heartening,” said Tony.

“Our attitude to training is another USP and more than a fifth of the team are apprentices as we are always looking to attract and encourage the next generation of childcare workers.

“It would also be positive to see more men entering the sector and considering this as a career as it’s so rewarding, and perceptions have changed over the years – we are all about taking a fresh approach.”

He added: “We have a strategy in place and are aiming to increase the team to more than 50 over the next 12 months, in tandem with expansion of our overall provision.

“We will do that without losing the quality and integrity we are known for, enabling us to support more and more families across the area.

“Our values are so important, to us and the parents and our community; it’s a special feeling to have that togetherness and we will never take it for granted as we continue to help children learn, develop and grow in the safe, secure and welcoming environment we nurture at Kiddies Corner”

For more information on Kiddies Corner, visit the website www.kcnursery.com or call 03335 677 716. Alternatively, email hello@kcnursery.com or find them on Facebook and Instagram.

E-Commerce, News

Online4Baby’s sales leap after rebrand

Ecommerce retailer Online4Baby has taken another big step forward on its growth journey by rebranding and refreshing its website to emphasise its credentials as a caring yet rebellious disruptor fighting on the side of parents.

Online4Baby’s brand overhaul features a new logo, a ‘Power to Parents’ strapline and a new colour palette, while improvements to the website make it more mobile friendly and give it a more premium appearance.

The overhaul is already paying dividends, with year-on-year conversion rates up 64 per cent in the first two weeks since the launch. Sales have increased by 12 per cent year-on-year and the average order value is up by seven per cent.

The project is the latest phase of a multi-million pound investment programme to effect a digital transformation for the business.

Online4Baby sells a vast array of nursery and baby items directly to consumers across the UK. Its product lines range from prams, buggies and car seats to cots, high chairs, nursery furniture, baby walkers, swings and playpens.

It sells leading brands such as Joie, Graco and Cybex and has its own brands, Puggle and 4Baby.

The website has been re-designed to provide a more premium appearance and a better user experience, with a strong mobile-first emphasis

Managing director Christy Foster said: “Most of our sales come through mobile devices, to it’s important to get the design of the website right for smaller screens.

“Research shows how important visual content is when buying online, and therefore we have overhauled how products are displayed so shoppers can always see the product from all angles.”

Other features of the new look and feel for the brand include:

  • A new strapline of ‘Power to Parents’ as part of a strategy to position Online4Baby as a caring company with a rebellious streak – the ‘revolutionary’ fighting the good fight for parents;
  • A new logo which incorporates an exclamation mark in the number 4;
  • A brighter tone of voice, with a punchy new colour palette of cookie cream, candy pink, yellow and blue;
  • New graphics such as a banner, a flag, a placard and a megaphone – which are all items associated with revolution and rebellion.

Christy said: “Our mission is to bring Power to Parents through exceptional customer service and quality products. We’re building a community where parents from all backgrounds can share their experiences and find support from other parents. Online4Baby is their trusted, one-stop destination for all things baby.

“We aim to be the number one destination for high-quality nursery goods, all sourced by a team whose decades of experience and knowledge enable us to constantly evolve our offering to keep pace with changing consumer tastes and needs.

“Our goal is to ensure that we can be counted on to give our customers a helping hand at a time of great change in their lives, giving them one less thing to worry about when they bring new life into the world.

“We are extremely pleased with our new brand identity and website. They have been well-received by customers, judging by the feedback we have had as well as the improved conversion, revenue and average order value rates we have seen.”

Christy added: “This new brand identity gives us a strong platform for further growth but without losing our human, personal qualities. Customers will always be able to find a real person at the end of the line or over live chat, with product experts on hand to help demystify the world of nursery and baby products.”

Online4Baby, which has its headquarters in Oldham, hopes its investment will also help it achieve greater penetration of target market segments such as parents-to-be and grandparents, as well as reinforcing its standing among new parents.

As part of its digital transformation, the retailer has focused on increasing its number of followers on social media such as Facebook and Instagram, and last year launched a TikTok channel which is attracting over 1.2m monthly views.

Online4Baby has seen revenues surge from £11m in 2018 to £45m in 2021, and aims to reach £100m within three years.

Children and Childcare, Finance and Banking, News

Lancashire mum acquires her second pre-school nursery following six-figure funding from Unity Trust Bank

Victoria Adams established Teddy Towers in Leyland in 2016 and following a £345,000 refinance loan from Unity, has acquired Toddlers in Whitefield.

Her ethos is to inspire, develop and really engage with children, and both nurseries have private gardens where youngsters can explore and enjoy nature.

Andy Ball, Relationship Manager at Unity Trust Bank, said: “Unity is proud to support businesses that provide access to quality early childhood care and development so that children are ready for primary education.

“We’re delighted to be able to assist Victoria as she expands her business and offers outdoor learning experiences to more children.”

Both nurseries cater for 0-5 year-olds, with Teddy Towers offering 30 places and Toddlers 43.

Victoria, who employs 14 staff, said: “I was introduced to Unity through my broker Abacus Day Nursery Sales.

“Unity offered a good rate of interest and I like the fact that I have a relationship manager who I can phone if I need to.

“Unity’s values attracted me too because they fit in with what I’m trying to achieve at the nursery.”

During her career as a commercial banking manager, Victoria worked with pre-school nurseries and was inspired to set up her own business when she was made redundant.

She was in the process of selling her large family home when she realised it would be ideal for her first nursery and called it Teddy Towers after one of her sons built a tower with his teddy bears.

With a large private garden with logs, picnic benches and secret paths, the children have plenty of space to play and explore.

Victoria said: “My sons are 13, 10 and 10 months and they are in their element when we’re doing outdoor activities like going for walks, feeding the ducks or exploring and this inspired the theme for my nursery. I want children to learn and have fun within a safe, homely environment and natural setting.

“Toddlers has been established for 15 years and is next to a school and it has a large private outdoor space which I will be developing like at Teddy Towers.”

Bristol, Children and Childcare, News

Charlton Nursery in Bristol to remain open for children of key workers throughout the crisis

Bristol-based Charlton Nursery has confirmed it will keep its Charlton Imperial branch, based in Winterstoke Road, open for any key worker children throughout the current Coronavirus crisis. A dedicated team will be running the nursery and they have capacity for up to 78 children.

The setting is open from 7.30am to 6pm every week day, for breakfast, lunch and tea, and the team are welcoming children who have key worker parents or carers, both new and those who normally attend either the Imperial or Flax Bourton branch, which is based in North Somerset.

“We’ve had a lot of enquiries recently and we are keen to support in any way we can,” commented Helen Nott, CEO and co-founder. “These are unprecedented times and having childcare in place can make the difference between being able to perform a critical role or not. We hope by committing to staying open we will be able to make a difference.”

The emphasis is on running day-to-day nursery life as normally as possible for all children, with in the moment planning and observations continuing, as well as plenty of outdoor activities.

There are currently 12 staff working at Charlton Imperial, including a cook to provide fresh hot meals, and Early Years leads. The team will ensure workers are in place depending on the level of demand. They are rotating where possible and management staff are working from home where it’s practical to do so.

Meanwhile, children of non-key worker parents or carers who cannot attend are receiving regular updates from staff on the Famly app, such as videos of staff reading stories and leading activities, ideas for things to do, links to other activities and learning resources.

All voucher schemes are accepted and Charlton Nursery is open to children from six weeks to five years old, 51 weeks a year.