Meanwhile, Happy Days Nurseries has bought its first nursery in Wales, the 21st setting for the group. (see below).
RAFA Kidz, which runs eight nurseries, will use the money to enhance its settings, including improving outdoor areas.
Established in 2019, the nursery group provides childcare to military and civilian families in the communities around RAF stations.
The funding will be used to:
- Refurbish the rooms at the Leeming setting in North Yorkshire, providing new furniture and resources, as well as installing a cooker to prepare food on site.
- Improve the garden at RAFA Kidz Cranwell in Lincolnshire with a new climbing area and all-weather shelters for children and staff.
- ‘Rejuvenate’ the garden at RAFA Kids Digby in Lincolnshire so children can spend more time outside.
- Install teepes at the Odiham setting in Hampshire to act as quiet spaces for children.
Acting head of operations for RAFA Kidz Anna Gallimore said, ‘We’re grateful to the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust and the MOD for awarding us these generous grants. We’re looking forward to putting our plans into practice and creating amazing spaces where our children can thrive.’
Sonia How, director of policy and communications at the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust, said, ‘We were delighted to work with the MOD to administer the Early Years programme.
‘RAFA Kidz received awards to enrich the learning and development of Service children through high quality resources and equipment, enhancing learning through play and encouraging an active lifestyle.’
RAFA Kidz manages nurseries at RAF Leeming, Brize Norton, Odiham, Cranwell, Digby and High Wycombe: High Wycombe, Walter's Ash and Medmenham.
Happy Days
From left to right: Fiona Blackwell, operations director, Happy Days Nurseries & Pre-Schools; Tracey Jones, nursery manager, The Hollies; Kim Herbert, managing director, Happy Days Nurseries & Pre-Schools; Lisa Cronk, outgoing director of The Hollies
Happy Days Nurseries and Pre-Schools have acquired their first nursery in Wales, The Hollies Daycare Nursery in Cardiff.
The move is part of the group’s plan to expand outside its traditional base in the South West of England.
Hollies caters for 148 children and was owned by Lisa Cronk and David Hutchings, who said, ‘We move on, safe in the knowledge that Happy Days will continue to provide a quality focussed, nurturing and caring environment for our children.’
Kevin Higgs, development director for Happy Days Nurseries, said, ‘This is an exciting acquisition for us, following on from our expansion into Worcestershire with our new Droitwich nursery, we are now venturing into Wales, enabling us to provide inspiring childcare and education to more families across the UK.’
The group's nurseries are largely based in Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Somerset and Wiltshire.
Work is also underway at the Droitwich setting, as well as a new purpose-built setting in Charlton Heights in Bristol, which will open in late summer or autumn this year.