A nursery in Harold Hill is set to open a new site in a former children's centre.

Mulberry Bush Nursery, in Chippenham Road, has announced it will open its second site on the Harold Hill street in January 2025. 

The new property - just 20 doors down from the existing nursery - was once Chippenham Road Children's Centre, which closed permanently in 2023.

Dawn Finch, owner and manager of Mulberry Bush Nursery, said her and the team are "really excited" to welcome parents and children to the new site.

Cots at the nursery's current siteCots at the nursery's current site (Image: Dawn Finch)

She told the Recorder: "I'm so happy that it's gone from being a children's centre, and now will still be used for children.

"The fact that we are able to move in there, and give something back to the children and the community is really good."

She added: "Before we had the two, three and four-year-olds all mixed in the same room, because we didn't have the provision to have an additional room for the younger children.

"[Having a second site] is going to make such a big difference to everyone."

The nursery focuses on nature-based, non-plastic toysThe nursery focuses on nature-based, non-plastic toys (Image: Dawn Finch)

Dawn said her and the team want to offer their "nature-based" nursery experience to more parents and children in Harold Hill.

Mulberry Bush Nursery focuses on using "natural resources, reusable goods and curiosity items" instead of plastic toys and resources.

The new premises has a "free flow" outdoor space, which the nursery intends to turn into a natural garden to attract wildlife.

Mulberry Bush Nursery's main room at their current premisesMulberry Bush Nursery's main room at their current premises (Image: Dawn Finch)

It will also be furnished with a "home from home feel", soft furnishings and a cosiness which is "intrinsic" to the nursery's ethos.

Children aged two and three, as well as babies, will be located at the former children's centre - where they will benefit from a space "twice as big" and with lots of natural light.

Meanwhile, three to five-year-olds will have "more opportunity for uninterrupted play experiences" at the existing site.

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The new site will have an oChildren leave the nursery with a 'love of the outdoors' (Image: Dawn Finch)

Dawn said: "These children will leave our nursery with a love of the outdoors, be brimming with curiosity, and be their own advocates for learning.

"They will embrace their inner artists, have a safe place to have their voice heard and listened to."

The nursery is set to hold an open day at the new site at 85-89 Chippenham Road in December, with a date still to be decided.

The team is also looking to hire qualified practitioners for the second nursery.

For more information on the open day or joining the team, call Dawn on 07599 290454 or email dawn@mulberrybushpreschool.co.uk.