Ex-teacher launches third nursery

A TEACHER who launched her first nursery eight years ago is opening the third branch of her business on the Flyde coast.

Little Nutkins Nursery is opening on Church Road, Thornton Cleveleys, Lancashire in January with support from NatWest.

The new nursery will cater for 40 youngsters aged three months to five years and will operate 51 weeks a year.

Some 12 new jobs will be created in a mix of full and part-time positions.

The nursery is owned and managed by mother-of-two Charlotte Bonney who bought her first business in Thornton in March 2007 after returning to work following maternity leave.

She was dissatisfied with what she found locally in terms of childcare provisions and was inspired to launch a new business.

Bonney said: “I couldn’t find what I was looking for so the idea to run a nursery of my own developed.

“I searched for properties and businesses on the internet that were on sale in the area, and I saw Nutkins Nursery was available.

“The next day I walked into my local NatWest, sat down with a bank manager and said I wanted to buy the business.

“I had no business plan but I think because of my professional experience in education and my passion and determination, they agreed to help with a loan. Because of their faith in me, it gave me a greater focus to make the business success.”

Nutkins caters for 50 youngsters, but Bonney found the nursery had a significant waiting list so she opened a second nursery, Squirrel Nutkins in 2013 which was quickly oversubscribed.

This has led to her latest venture – the forthcoming opening of Little Nutkins.

NatWest senior relationship manager Janet Morrish advised on funding for the new site.

Morrish said: “I was delighted to support Charlotte and the opening of her new nursery. Charlotte is passionate about her businesses, and her determination has been key to helping them grown and develop.”