Operator named for new daycare nursery at East Village
Little Bear's daycare nursery will open this summer in East Village, formerly the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Village.
Nursery staff Pratibha Vora, Lucy Driscoll, Seonaidh O’Neill, Lee O’Neill, Janette Sheppard and Emily O’Neill get ready to move into East Village
The brand new Little Bear’s nursery will be operating an all-day service from 7.30am to 6.30pm, located right on the doorstep of the new homes and ready for the first families to move in later this year, as well as offering places for children already living in the local area. It will provide up to 80 places for babies, toddlers and young children
The Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA), which was responsible for the construction of the Olympic Park and the Olympic Village, has announced details of the operators of the new nursery, which will be opening in the same building as the all-ages Chobham Academy, and close to a state-of-the art health and well-being centre, both also set to open this year.
This is the third venture for owners Lee and Seonaidh O’Neill, who run two Little Bear’s nurseries at Wanstead in east London, open since 2005 and 2011. Their first nursery has achieved an ‘outstanding’ rating from Ofsted – the highest possible. The two centres care for more than 100 children, and employ over 40 staff, both full-time and part-time.
Little Bear’s at East Village will follow in the footsteps of the two current nurseries, operating to the highest standards. The centre will promote a close partnership with parents, best practice in curriculum, well-trained and caring staff, and high nutritional standards.
Lee and Seonaidh were attracted by the location of the new facility, and the high quality of the design and layout, which has been purpose-built as a nursery with light spaces, a large outdoor area, a shaded canopy and garden. The centre will create around 20 full-time and six part-time jobs.
Seonaidh O’Neill, who worked as a teacher for over 10 years and will manage the centre said: “We are thrilled to be opening in this new quarter of London and offering our nursery service to families who will be moving into the new homes. We have caring and dedicated staff at our nurseries, and will be bringing the same high standards of care to Little Bear’s at East Village. The facility has been designed to the highest standards for a nursery and we can’t wait to open.”
Ralph Luck, ODA’s Director of Property, said: “We are delighted to have Little Bear’s on board – when people move into the new homes this summer, they will have London’s best transport connections, shops, and parklands on their doorstep. Now they will also have the highest quality care for their children, within walking distance of their new home. This is a whole new community being built and coming together.”
Over coming months, the nursery will be fitted out, ready to open in August. For enquires about places at Little Bear’s, please email hello@littlebearsnursery.co.uk
Little Bear’s will be run independently of the Chobham Academy, where there will also be a nursery for older pre-school children from the age of three, offering parents choice and the full range of child care and pre-school options.