A nursery in Scotswood, Newcastle, has seen its provision bolstered by the donation of equipment for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).
The donation of resources has been made by New Tyne West Development Company (NTWDC) – the partnership behind The Rise development nearby.
It will enable Scotswood Village Nursery to meet the needs of the children through the use of sensory equipment.
The nursey operates out of St Margaret’s Church on Heighley Street and is a family run affair.
Directors Karen Holmes and Chris Cook have over 70 years combined experience working in educational provision and childcare and in 2017 and 2020 respectively, their daughters Caroline Duncan and Jen Rodden joined the business. Caroline and Jen were working as primary school teachers and had, coincidently, both met independently at university some years before. They were able to bring this experience and friendship to what then became a family run venture.
The nursery currently provides education to 48 young people aged between two and four and recently received a second consecutive ‘Outstanding’ Ofsted report.
Caroline said: “We are really thankful to Lee and the team at NTWDC for providing this donation which will enable us to enhance our provision yet further. The children are loving the new equipment and it’s making a real difference to the nursery.
“We are always looking to partner with local organisations and businesses that want to support the local community. I’d like to thank Lisa Conroy, at Healthworks, a charity which works with local communities to improve health and wellbeing – for making this introduction.”
Lee McGray, Director with NTWDC said: “When we were told about an opportunity to help support this fantastic nursery, we were only too happy to help.
“The hard work and dedication of the team at Scotswood Village Nursery – as quite rightly recognised by their outstanding Ofsted reports – is exceptional and I know many of the residents who live in our vibrant community take their children here and have only positive things to say about the care and education that is provided.”
NTWDC is the housing led regeneration partnership between Newcastle City Council and Keepmoat which is behind The Rise, a project which has plans to create 1,800 homes in the west end of the city.
The £265 million, 148-acre development is the most significant regeneration project currently underway in Newcastle. It has a national profile – often highlighted as an example of the city’s proven track record in housing innovation – citing delivery of largescale capital projects and the ability to partner effectively with the public and private sector.
To date, the partnership has delivered over 550 new homes, whilst also improving access to employment – creating 20 apprenticeship roles, safeguarded over 1,000 jobs and backing several school and non-development apprenticeships projects.
Alongside this, local community and charity groups have benefitted from up to £75,000 each year from a fund, set up by NTWDC, to support a range of educational, art and environmental initiatives which celebrate the area’s rich history.
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