Childcare provision transfers to Co-op
The management of the University’s Nursery and Pre School will transfer to Co-operative Childcare from 1 November.
The Co-operative Childcare, part of Midcounties Co-operative, has signed agreements with the University to manage the Nursery (for babies and toddlers aged four months to three years) and Pre School (for three- to five-year-olds), which currently provide a total of 71 places.
This will be the 48th centre in the Co-operative Childcare group and their 50th facility including after-school clubs.
In June 2012 Lewes District Council approved plans for a new Nursery and Pre School building, to be located in the south-east corner of campus (within the Lewes District boundary).
The University has granted the Co-operative Childcare a 15-year lease to run the new 101-place nursery, which will be open to children of staff and students and other campus bodies as well as the local community.
Tenders for the construction of the new building and a large outdoor play area are due today (Friday 26 October). The intention is to appoint the contractor in November, with site set-up prior to Christmas.
When it is finished in summer 2013, the building will bring together in one location the Nursery and Pre School, which are currently based in two separate buildings (Norwich House and Silverstone respectively).
Charles Dudley, the Director of Residential, Sport and Trading Services, said: “We really are delighted we have concluded the agreements with the Midcounties Co-operative.
”These agreements ensure the future of childcare on campus, in a purpose-designed building, without ongoing subsidy by the University.”
Mike Abbott, Group Manager for the Co-operative Childcare, added: “We are delighted to be working with the University on this new venture.
“We are also excited about the prospect of operating in the new purpose-built nursery. It will provide great facilities where we can deliver a high standard of early-years learning and care in a safe and stimulating environment.”