2 New Neighbourhood Nurseries for Barrow

Cumbria Early Years Development & Childcare Partnership are celebrating this week after receiving over £140k capital funding from the New Opportunities Fund (NOF) for 2 Neighbourhood Nurseries in Barrow-in-Furness. The Old Vicarage Day Nursery and Hindpool Nursery School will also receive revenue funding linked to the successful provision of 50 new childcare places. This will be provided through the Cumbria Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership to assist with running costs in the first three critical years as the nursery becomes established. 

Nurseries and childcare places which are established using Neighbourhood Nursery funding are situated in selected areas of Cumbria which qualify for targeted assistance. They will provide high quality, affordable childcare to local parents, and ensure that their opening hours and policies are helpful to parents who want to work and take up training opportunities. 

County Councillor Joan Stocker, Cabinet Spokesperson for Education says 

"I am delighted that this money has now been secured so these important initiatives can get under way in Barrow. We have a strong commitment to the services that we provide to the under fives and access to good nursery education and childcare are essential to contribute to the well-being of families and educational progress. Neighbourhood Nurseries are one of the Government's major childcare initiatives which is managed in Cumbria by the Early Years Development & Childcare Partnership. Neighbourhood Nurseries will create over 600 new full day-care places throughout the County over the next three years. I wish them every success." 

Jackie Mutton, Manager at Hindpool Nursery Schools says 

"We are really excited about achieving Neighbourhood Nursery status. The grant from the New Opportunities Fund will enable us to expand in order to develop the services we offer to the Hindpool community. Alongside the quality nursery education and care we already provide we plan to give parents the opportunity to extend the nursery day and take the option of holiday childcare. Extended services will include working closely with other agencies such as Sure Start, Health visitors, and speech therapists as well as linking with childminders, Further Education Colleges and Citizens Advice services This should provide an integrated service for under 5s and their families."