Award-winning nursery expands after less than three years

An award-winning nursery in Shrewsbury which launched less than three years ago, has announced plans for a major expansion in to a second unit at Park Plaza.  The expansion will allow it to offer a dedicated infant and toddler centre, whilst also expanding its facilities for pre-schoolers.

Shrewsbury Prepatoria will open its new unit in January 2017 and plans are already well underway for the re-fit of the unit, as nursery founder and Principal, Jane Smalley, explains:

“The rate at which we’ve grown over the last two years has been phenomenal and we’ve rapidly outgrown our original home.  After we were named ‘Nursery of the Year for Central England’ in 2015, we grew by an incredible 150% in the following six weeks and we’ve been running a waiting list ever since.

“Naturally we want to continue to offer our unique approach to the philosophies of Reggio Emilia nursery education to as many families as possible and so when the opportunity to acquire the lease of a neighbouring unit here at Park Plaza came up, we jumped at the chance.”

The new unit, which is currently open plan, will be re-fitted, using beautiful furniture and resources from specialist nursery providers, Community Playthings. The unit will cater for babies and children up to three years in age, and will additionally offer a bespoke space for parents to meet with staff and one another and share a coffee. 

The launch of the infant and toddler centre will allow the current unit at Park Plaza to be dedicated solely to the pre-schoolers at Shrewsbury Prepatoria.  Jane adds:

“By moving it in to a second unit, we will not only double our overall capacity and ensure that our staff to child ratios are kept well below the legal requirements, but we’ll also be able to enhance the experience for all our children.

“Maximising opportunities for children to experience creative play is something that we particularly value and so we’ve decided that our existing unit will be adapted to include a dedicated art studio for our pre-schoolers.”

Shrewsbury Prepatoria will launch its infant and toddler room on January 3 2017.  Anyone wishing to find out more can attend the Prepatoria’s open morning on November 12 between 1000 and 1200.  Visit www.shrewsburyprepatoria.co.uk for more information.