The Day Nursery group – how we began
The Day Nursery group embarked on its journey in August 2004 with the acquisition of Ringwood Day Nursery, formerly known as Avonlea, a transformation from an independent school to a vibrant day nursery. This initial endeavor involved a comprehensive overhaul, including the installation of new children’s facilities, French doors for garden access, a central heating system, flooring upgrades, and a complete redecoration, setting the stage for a successful launch in January 2005.
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- Ringwood Day Nursery, established January 2005
Under the leadership of owner Neil Dowden, along with Sue McBrearty and Rachel Hanham, the nursery flourished, hosting hundreds of children and families, and earning an “Outstanding in all areas” accolade from Ofsted in 2015. This marked the beginning of an impressive trajectory for the Day Nursery group.
In 2010, the group seized an opportunity to establish Redhill Day Nursery in Bournemouth, converting a former Methodist church into a 44-place nursery setting within a remarkable eight weeks. The Redhill setting quickly gained popularity, reaching full capacity and this year celebrating its 14th anniversary.
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- Redhill Day Nursery, established January 2010
Expanding further, the group acquired a nursery in Verwood in 2010, re-branded as Verwood Day Nursery. Initially managed by Rachel Hanham, this establishment, now managed by Craig Dyer, earned an ‘Outstanding’ grading from Ofsted in March 2013.
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- Verwood Day Nursery, established October 2010
The three nurseries—Ringwood, Redhill, and Verwood—come together under the banner of the Day Nursery Group, adhering to a shared vision of “Care for all, fun for all, and learning for all.” Neil Dowden, fosters a culture of enthusiasm and professionalism among the 50 plus strong staff team.
With a commitment to high-quality childcare, the group emphasizes healthy meals, boasting vegetable gardens at each location. Environmental Health inspections consistently award all settings 5-star ratings. The group’s engagement with local communities and parents is paramount, recognising parents as the primary educators of their children.
The interconnection among nurseries is evident through monthly managers’ meetings and collaborative staff skill-sharing, fostering a continuous improvement mindset. Neil Dowden expresses pride in offering enjoyable and fulfilling experiences for children during their crucial formative years, encapsulating the essence of the Day Nursery Group’s mission and success.
Neil Dowden owner says ”We are very proud of our nurseries and believe that everything we do provides each child an enjoyable and fulfilling experience in the most formative years of their lives but most of all they get to do it by simply having fun”!
