The Oxford, Swindon and Gloucester Co-op, the fourth largest regional co-operative society in the UK, took over the running of its first day nursery last month. It plans to open a further two nurseries in Oxfordshire in the summer, followed by one in Swindon and one in Gloucestershire at the start of next year.
Childcare provision is a new business area for the Co-op and one it plans to develop further. Carol Jenkins, Co-op childcare business manager, said, 'This is a first for the Co-operative movement. Childcare seemed a very ethical fit with the society and its principles of self-help, self-responsibility and equity.'
A society spokesman added that many people saw the Co-op as 'a reassuring, trusted brand' and so a move into childcare 'seemed a logical step'. It also complemented the society's other trade areas.
The Co-op saved from closure the Little Scholars nursery in the Blackbird Leys area of Oxford when it took over its running last month. All the staff employed at the setting were retained. The nursery, part of Oxford College of Further Education, is to move later this year to new, larger premises nearby, where the number of places will increase to 61 with an additional 16 out-of-school places.
The Co-op is also working with Oxfordshire Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership with funding from the Neighbourhood Nurseries Initiative to open more nurseries in the region.
Marjorie Evans, chair of Oxfordshire EYDCP, said, 'I'd like to thank the Co-op for stepping in to help secure Little Scholars's future. We are looking forward to working with the Co-op to develop much-needed childcare provision in the local community.'
The Co-op will also run its own nurseries, which will be funded separately, under its expansion plans for the next five years. Ms Jenkins said, 'Each nursery will be run by a nursery committee, made up of staff, parents, carers and other community groups involved in childcare, like Sure Start.'
As well as opening more nurseries, the Oxford, Swindon and Gloucester Co-op plans to extend its business into other childcare services, such as training for nursery staff. It operates in Oxfordshire, Warwickshire, Gloucestershire, Worcestershire, Wiltshire, Northamptonshire and Buckinghamshire.
The Co-op's other business interests include food, cars, funerals, travel and property.