Nursery helps out young workers

1st birthday party for Buttercup Corner Day Nursery, Chadderton. Pic shows Gemma Monthero (left) and Keeley Hadfield with children..

A NURSERY business which has created 23 jobs and renovated an empty building with help from Sir Norman Stoller's Oldham Enterprise Fund is celebrating its first anniversary.

Buttercup Corner Nursery, in Chadderton, was founded by Kimberley Woodward and Steve Woodward.

The business provides a range of services for children, including day care, after-school and holiday clubs. The couple are especially interested in creating job and training opportunities for young people, which is also a key ambition of the enterprise fund and the Get Oldham Working campaign.

The nursery is based in a redeveloped building which has been home to various businesses in the past including a co-op and a refrigeration firm.

Mrs Woodward said: "We started the project in February 2015 and needed some extra money for improvements to the roof, gardens and play resources. We wanted to ensure that all the different age groups have an outdoor play area.

"We approached Oldham Enterprise Fund for a loan and attended a panel to discuss our application. I expected the panel to be like Dragons' Den, which can be a bit intimidating. However the panel was really friendly and supportive, and interested in our business plan.

"The panel was especially interested in our plans to create job opportunities for young people aged 16 to 25. We now have a team of 23 staff of whom 13 are aged under 25. We also have three apprentices who are working on Level 3 training programmes.

"Taking on young recruits is an important part of what we do. We want to create good local employment opportunities, and encourage good vocational skills and attitudes among our young staff."

The nursery currently has 78 children and has established relationships with three local schools.

Mrs Woodward grew up in Oldham and attended Radclyffe High School and Oldham College when she was younger. In the 1990s, she spent a year in New Zealand working with disabled children. Later she returned to the UK and worked in the private sector in Greater Manchester.

In the past, Mr Woodward worked at the BAE Chadderton site and he now works in Lancashire. He has helped launch the nursery business and oversaw the building's redevelopment.

He said: "The original, derelict building was an eyesore and was affecting local house values.

"We have had great support from the neighbours during our renovation period, which was very much appreciated. We think the transformation of the building is remarkable."

Alison Wells, an Oldham Enterprise Fund officer, said: "Having supported Kimberley and Stephen with the start-up of their nursery, I was delighted to visit them this summer for a look around the nursery. Congratulations on their first anniversary."