The building provides a 96 place children’s day nursery on the site of a pair of derelict semi-detached houses and former bakery. A separate part of the development created two detached houses.
The scheme is designed to meet the need for a high-quality nursery facility in the local area which has extensive new housing developments planned. Consultations were undertaken with early years teaching consultants with regard to size, layout and provision.
The nursery is set behind the new houses which face the highway. It is orientated primarily east and west and is split into two main elements, one which is two storey with dual pitched roof plus a single storey green roofed section which forms the entrance and continues around the building forming a protective canopy.
The nursery entrance is to the junction between single and two storey elements and leads to the drop off lobby offices, kitchen, training room. Offices are located adjacent to the entrance to provide surveillance and passive security.
The two-storey element contains the children’s rooms plus staff facilities. The ground floor contains the Kindergarten, Transition and Toddlers rooms and have direct access into a covered play area to the north and west of the building, which in turn spills out into the extensive garden area. The canopy provides outside space in wet weather but also provides sun shading. The majority of the windows face north, east and west to reduce solar gain. This also reduces the opportunity for unwanted viewing into the children’s spaces from the car park.
The first floor contains the Baby Room plus associated facilities and leads onto an external terrace, protected under a canopy which is designed as an extension of the main roof. It is also separate from the older children so is quieter and more peaceful.
The first floor also contains staff room, locker area, shower and laundry.
The building has a flint base to the public areas and brick to the private spaces. The upper floors are clad in black stained timber, similar to the local agricultural barns.