We’ve slected a new nursery provider in Dawlish, an area where there is an acute shortage of childcare places for under-fives.
The new nursery will be operated by Puffins of Exeter Ltd and will be open from 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, all year round and accept babies and children up to and including the age of five.
The nursery will be housed in the caretaker’s bungalow next to Westcliff Primary Academy in Dawlish and work will shortly be underway to improve the interior and to ensure that all the necessary facilities are in place.
Our appointment of Puffins followed a rigorous selection process and will deliver much-needed nursery places in a part of Devon where more provision is needed.
Dawlish has had a lack of childcare for children under the age of five for a number of years, partly due to a lack of suitable available buildings.
The previous Little Swans Preschool operated out of the Westcliff Bungalow but closed at the end of last year.
This had a significant impact on local families and meant that finding childcare became even more difficult.
Puffins of Exeter is well known to many in Devon, the family run business has been operating for more than three decades.
Gemma Rolstone, Director said:
“We are thrilled to have been selected as the new provider for Westcliff and are working hard to ensure we can be up and running as soon as possible. We look forward to working with the local community to provide the service that is so desperately needed.”
Councillor Andrew Leadbetter, our cabinet member for childrens services and schools, said:
“I want to thank The Early Years and Childcare Team for working so hard to help deliver this vital service.
“We know all too well that there are working families in Dawlish who need childcare all year round and that they are struggling to balance family life and work.
“There are also families who are not in work who need a nursery place for their child before they start at school so they can learn to be away from home and to play and develop with other children and we will continue to work hard to secure more Early Years places in areas of Devon where there is a shortage.
“I wish the Puffins team every success.”
Councillor Martin Wrigley, the local county councillor for Dawlish, said:
“This will be very welcome in Dawlish as there are many people who cannot find the childcare that they need. We still need more childminders and childcare in the town, so I wish this new venture every success and hope that other providers may also setup in Dawlish in the future.”
Priority for places will be given to families that live within Dawlish.
Demand for places is expected to be high. If you are interested please call Puffins on 01392 496017 or email enquiries@puffinsofexeter.com to add your name onto the Puffins at Westcliff waiting list.