Burmantofts
Community Nursery reopened this week following the completion of major
building work to create additional free childcare places for eligible two year olds.
Leeds City
Council has invested £365,000 to help the nursery extend and remodel its
existing premises to create an extra 63 places to meet increased demand in the
area.
At an event
today, the council’s deputy executive member for children and families, Councillor
Jane Dowson, officially opened the new facilities and provided an opportunity
for invited guests to take a look around and meet with nursery staff.
The
extension has doubled the size of the nursery, which offers the whole range of
learning opportunities, set out in the Early Years Framework including IT, as
well as great outdoor play spaces and a purpose built sensory room.
Councillor Jane Dowson, deputy
executive member for children and families said:
“Evidence
shows that two year olds benefit greatly from access to a nursery place.
It prepares them for school so that they arrive ready to start learning
and get the very best from the education system. Here in Leeds we work
closely with childcare providers like Burmantofts Community Nursery to ensure
that children have the best start in life. Making the most of the free places
for two year olds also enables their parents to access training or employment
opportunities
“We
are working hard to bring everyone together to make Leeds a child friendly city
– a place where children are valued, supported, enjoy growing up, and look
forward to a bright future.”
Chair of Trustees at Burmantofts
Community Nursery, Pat Urry, said:
“We
have worked closely with Leeds City Council on this extension, and very much
appreciate the opportunity offered. Local children will really benefit
from these new facilities, and nursery staff are keen to welcome lots of new
children from the local area.”
The Free
Early Education Entitlement (FEEE) enables all eligible two year old children
to receive 570 hours each year of free childcare. This can be taken for a
minimum of 38 weeks, which is equivalent to 15 hours each week, or can be
stretched across 51 weeks.
For more
information about two year old places in your area of the city please visit www.familyinformationleeds.co.uk
or contact the Leeds family information service on 0800 731 0640.
Picture caption: (top) Councillor Jane Dowson (centre) deputy executive member for children and families helps (l-r) Aaliyah Canavan, Marley Tavares, Darnell Amo-Okyere and Ikejesupo Alabi reopen the nursery. (bottom) Darnell enjoying the new facilities at Burmantofts Community Nursery.
ENDS
For
media enquiries, please contact:
Emma
Whittell, Leeds City Council press office, on (0113) 2474713