Eighteen jobs to be created at new nursery

A new nursery, at Mansfield Innovation Centre, is set to create 18 jobs.

Steve and Sue Whitney, who own and manage Aunty Sue’s Day Care on St John Street and Crocodile Rock Day care on Newgate Lane, are set to open their third nursery, Teddy Day Care, on 1 April.

The new 2,500 sq ft facility on Hamilton Way features baby and toddler rooms, preschool facilities and a secure outdoor play area as part of a £12,000 investment by the owners.

Teddy Day Care can accommodate 82 children and will generate 18 new jobs in the town. It received Ofsted approval in February.

Sue Whitney founded Aunty Sue’s in 1996, initially offering home-based childminding services. It opened its first nursery in 2016, and Crocodile Rock followed in 2019.

Currently, the nurseries serve 300 across the town and employ 30 people. Suzanne Booth, who joined Aunty Sue’s as an apprentice in 2018 and is currently its deputy manager, has been promoted to nursery manager at Teddy Day Care.

Whitney said: “Teddy Day Care will offer the same warm welcome and nurturing environment as our other nurseries. Our goal is to deliver a high-quality early years curriculum and activities, enabling children to learn through play, develop at their own pace, and acquire vital skills for life.

“We also collaborate with families to help shape their child’s learning experience with us. We look forward to opening our doors in April and welcoming more local families into our growing community.”

Mansfield Innovation Centre, managed by Oxford Innovation Space, houses over 30 businesses, offering fully-serviced offices, virtual office facilities, hot desks and meeting spaces.

Centre manager Hannah Frear said: “At Mansfield Innovation Centre, we prioritise supporting ambitious businesses that create local opportunities. We’re delighted to welcome Sue and her team to operate our on-site nursery.

“Aunty Sue’s is a local success story with an exemplary reputation, creating numerous jobs and providing quality childcare for many families around Mansfield. The new nursery enhances our overall offering, and the ethos and values of Sue and her team align closely with ours.
“It is about building a community, adding value to local employers and residents and enriching the town’s cultural capital. We are pleased to be at the heart of these developments.”