New childcare building to open in March
A brand-new, purpose-built childcare centre with a large outdoor play area will open on campus next month.
From 3 March, up to 101 children aged from three months to five years will be able to enjoy an adventure garden with a tunnel, water play, slides, bike tracks and a planting area.
Inside, they will benefit from age-appropriate facilities and resources including touchscreen technology.
Childcare staff and parents had input to the design of the new building and advice was sought from Brighton and Hove City Council’s Early Years team and by visits to other centres.
The University has granted the Co-operative Childcare a 15-year lease to run the building, which will be open to children of staff and students and other campus bodies as well as the local community.
Charles Dudley, Director of Residential, Sport and Trading Services, said: “This is a very positive time for childcare on campus. The new childcare centre demonstrates the University’s commitment, evidenced by our capital investment, to supporting staff and students who have young children.”
The new building is conveniently located for parents to drop off their children, just off Knights Gate Road at the top entrance to campus.
The childcare centre brings together in one location the Nursery and Pre School, which are currently based in two separate buildings (Norwich House and Silverstone respectively) and provide a total of just 71 places.
The Co-operative Childcare has managed the Nursery (for babies and toddlers) and Pre School (for three- to five-year-olds) since November 2012.
Mike Abbott, Group Manager for the Co-operative Childcare, said: “We are 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.”
The new childcare centre will be open from 7.30am–6.30pm, Monday-Friday, 52 weeks of the year.
For further details or to arrange a visit, call free on 0800 954 0669 or go to www.thecooperativechildcare.coop. There is also an open day on Saturday 1 March from 10am-1pm.
A childcare voucher scheme is available to help working parents at Sussex to pay for the care of children up to the age of 16 and for all types of registered or approved childcare, including the Co-operative Childcare.