Staff, children and parents at four nurseries in Lincoln and Newark are bidding a fond farewell to Sarah Steel, Managing Director of The Old Station Nursery after eight years.

Following a sale agreed earlier this week, four out of the ten Old Station Nursery settings will now be owned and managed by Children 1st.

In 2006 Sarah Steel took over the running of three nurseries in Lincoln at Wragby Road, Lincoln College and The Marina. In 2007 she then took over the running of the nursery at Newark College too.

The nurseries have grown in size over the eight years to offer 60% more places for children in the area.

Children 1st is a family-run business that has a record of providing outstanding OSFTED services at 14 nurseries across central England. Children and parents will notice little difference as there will be no changes to staff or opening times.

“Over the last eight years we’ve opened four settings in Lincoln and Newark now offering 276 nursery places for children, which is great as we started with just 111 places,” said Sarah Steel, Managing Director of The Old Station Nursery.

“It was a difficult decision to say goodbye to the teams and the children in Lincoln and Newark but I’m looking forward to spending less time travelling and will continue to manage the settings closer to home in Oxfordshire, Gloucestershire and Buckinghamshire.

“I’m confident that Children 1st will continue with the ethos of The Old Station Nursery and they have an excellent track record.”

The location and strong reputation of the nurseries were the key factors in Children 1st’s decision to purchase the four nurseries.

Commenting on the agreement, Margaret Mason, Founder and Executive Chair of Children 1st Day Nurseries said: “We already have a presence in the area with our nurseries in Newark and Grantham and therefore the acquisition presented a perfect opportunity for us to further enhance our business in Newark but particularly in Lincolnshire.”

It is expected that the purchase will result in job creation in Lincolnshire and Newark, especially for apprentices and young people wanting to begin their career in childcare.

Further training and development opportunities for all staff, both in nursery and within Children 1st’s recently opened training academy in Long Eaton, Derbyshire.

Margaret Mason added: “All four nurseries are well run and have excellent reputations due to the hard work of their staff. We are keen for this to continue and improve where possible through increased training and development. Our staff are the lifeblood of the company and as such are supported with passion and commitment through all levels of the business. I am looking forward to working with all new staff and getting to know the parents, carers and children.”

Children 1st was established in 1988 and will now own 19 settings across the Midlands and South Yorkshire, increasing the number of nursery places it offers from 1535 to 1800.

Ends
Notes to editors:
About The Old Station Nursery:
• Sarah Steel set up The Old Station Nursery in Faringdon, Oxfordshire, in 2002 when she left the army and was unable to find suitable childcare for her two children
• The Old Station Nursery group has 6 settings in Oxfordshire, Gloucestershire and Buckinghamshire

For more information contact:
Sarah Howells
Shooting Star PR
Tel: 01522 528540
Mob: 07738355316
sarah@weareshootingstar.co.uk
www.weareshootingstar.co.uk
t: @sarahhowellspr
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