Famous children’s characters Iggle Piggle and Hello Kitty helped celebrate Highwood Nursery’s move to Brockenhurst College by officially opening the new facility.
Children, parents, staff, councillors and College governors visited Highwood Nursery for a tea party to mark the occasion on Thursday.
Chair of Governors for Brockenhurst College, Dave Yates, who cut the ribbon to officially open the facility, commented: “It has been a pleasure opening such a wonderful facility today. I would like to thank the Parish Council, Brockenhurst Village Trust, Hampshire County Council and all the staff at the nursery for providing this state-of-the-art facility. Particular thanks also go to Lisa Northey-Dennis from Brockenhurst College who always works so hard in bringing our projects together. ”
Highwood Nursery was previously located on Highwood Road, Brockenhurst, but unfortunately, in recent years and due to their age, the existing buildings needed major repair and were unable to meet the current needs of the nursery.
The new accommodation based at the College will ensure that this vital full day child care resource remains in Brockenhurst. It benefits from brand new, purpose designed indoor and outdoor spaces that better meets the needs of the children.
The Nursery’s new home makes use of an existing facility on the college site. Funding from Hampshire County Council was used for the essential and required modifications to the building making it suitable as an early education and childcare facility.
Vicky Bidwell, Childcare Manager at Highwood Nursery, said: “I would like to thank Hampshire County Council for their support with this project. We’re absolutely delighted to be on the College site and we’re so happy to provide such a brilliant facility for the community.”
Tracey Messer, Childcare Development Service Manager, Hampshire County Council, commented: “There is a limited number of full day care facilities in the local area which makes this facility absolutely crucial for the New Forest community.”
