Grants worth more than 1m were announced last week under NOF's Building Neighbourhood Nurseries programme. The money will help build and renovate 13 nurseries across England and develop a further 17.
NOF chair Baroness Jill Pitkeathley said, 'People are working together to create practical solutions for filling existing gaps in childcare provision within their communities.
'These grants by the Fund will enable many new nurseries to be built so children and their parents can benefit from quality nursery care that is affordable, accessible and safe.'
A 154,600 grant will create 52 new nursery places at Alphabet Bungalow in Oldham, Lancashire, as it expands into a former working men's club to accommodate the extra children. Nursery manager Louise Fletcher said, 'So much work has gone into developing this nursery and we are thrilled to receive this grant. It will make a huge difference to the lives of local children and families.'
CLK Childcare in Salford, Greater Manchester, has been awarded 104,804 to create an additional 35 nursery places. The existing Rainbow Nursery will be extended into the building next door, which was previously an educational resources showroom. Christine Koskie of the Rainbow Nursery said, 'Expanding will allow us to become much more flexible in the services we offer as a provider of both daycare and out-of-school-hours childcare.'
A new 38-place nursery is to be established in a Victorian school building in Cudworth, near Barnsley, Yorkshire, backed by 68,400 funding.
Wonderland Nursery manager Beverley Sykes said, 'There has been such a demand within the local community for good-quality nursery provision, and with this funding we are sure we can meet the needs of local children and their parents.'