The Pros and Cons of Moving your Early Years Setting to a New Premises
Uprooting your setting and going in search of new premises can be a stressful experience, but it also offers the opportunity to plan your ideal learning environment, says Emma Davis…
- by Emma Davis
Imagine this – you’re a thriving preschool settled in a rented premises, have achieved an ‘outstanding’ grade from Ofsted, are full to capacity for all sessions, and then you receive notice to leave.
This is the situation we at Busy Bees found ourselves in last May. Although there was an option to stay on the site of the local school, if we became governor-run, this was not considered a viable alternative.
Our committee, staff and parents valued the ethos of Busy Bees and wanted to continue on as an independent body and registered charity.
While receiving notice to leave was a shock, our loyalty and dedication to Busy Bees, and each other as a staff team, meant we were determined to secure the future of the setting.
We could see the benefits of becoming governor-run but wanted to retain our autonomy and position within the community. Our setting had grown and changed considerably, and we wanted to retain control, influencing the way the curriculum was delivered and how the sessions were run.
So, the search began for a new premises from which to operate. Feeling upbeat once the decision had been made, we were all focused on finding somewhere quickly, as without a new home Busy Bees would cease to exist.
Initially, we had just six months to find a suitable site – however, with limited options in Ledbury, this proved to be an unrealistic time frame. Fortunately, we were granted an extension of our lease, giving us more time to find somewhere just right.
Over a period of six months, many options were explored – industrial units, empty premises in the town centre, residential properties, a Portcabin on a piece of rented land, and investment from a local developer.
All fell through, some after a considerable time of appearing to be ‘the one’. Time ticked on and we were all beginning to feel apprehensive and concerned for the future of Busy Bees as well as our own futures. With families to support and bills to pay, the prospect of unemployment was a frightening one.
But at long last we received the news we had been waiting for – the council-owned premises we had first enquired about had become available available and discussions could begin regarding a lease. This took a couple of months, but finally, in February this year, we received the keys to our new home.
The hard work begins
Our initial viewing of the premises was daunting, as it struck us exactly how much work was required to make the building a safe place for children to play and learn.
It had been a temporary home for the local gym, but prior to that the building had been empty for a considerable time since its days as a youth centre. Undeterred, we began work immediately.
We’d had time to draw up plans whilst finalising the lease and were excited at the prospect of the huge, cold, echoey hall being transformed into a space we could be proud of.
Meeting every need
An exciting aspect of the move was planning the space. As we care for children aged 2–11, we needed to ensure the layout met the needs of all attending as well as providing what we consider an enabling environment.
It was important to us to set aside an area to be used solely by the older children attending our Breakfast and After-School Club; we wanted them to feel a sense of ownership and proud about their space, so we consulted them and took their views into account.
Once we’d decided on how to split the building between our preschool and extended services provision, we then had to plan individual rooms that would be built in the hall, each with its own lighting and heating.
This took careful consideration, as we wanted large open areas but also individual rooms to be used as a cloakroom and sensory room. In addition, we also had to consider the essentials – toilets, a kitchen, changing area and space for eating.
The project moved fast – it had to as we only had two months from the time of getting the keys to the date we had to be out of our rented Portacabin into the building we renamed The Hive. You wouldn’t believe how quickly the two months passed!
We were all fully aware that the project was a huge undertaking, both financially and from the time perspective, but were determined to give the children and parents a wonderful new space.
Work began immediately, using a small team of local builders and tradespeople. Knowing there was no help available to us financially, I set about researching funding options.
Applications were soon in for the Tesco Bags of Help (we were successful!), One Stop Carriers for Causes, our local Rotary Club, National Lottery and local Community Trust.
The difficulty was not in completing the applications but in knowing that, if successful, we would not receive any funds until after we opened. I wanted the best possible space for the children so contacted early years suppliers to see if they could help in any way.
Thankfully, the response was fantastic. Newby Leisure, in particular, were extremely generous, immediately looking at what they could do for us. The equipment they provided us with was totally unexpected and very much appreciated. Similarly, Early Years Resources and TTS both assisted us with resources.
Local tradespeople were fantastic, offering discounts and some giving their time for free. All were sympathetic towards our situation and willing to help a local charity in need.
We are hugely community driven at Busy Bees and what impressed us was the way everyone pulled together to help us. Local shops ran raffles and cake sales and pubs put on fun days and skittles events, all to raise money for us.
As the weeks passed, the structure of the rooms took shape as stud walls appeared, and were then plasterboarded and plastered. Parents were incredibly helpful, coming in to paint walls, lay flooring, assist with the kitchen installation and move furniture, but there were days when it seemed like the work would never be finished in time.
Outdoor overhaul
With work on the indoors progressing well, focus shifted to the outdoor area. I had in mind the sort of space I wanted to create, thinking of textured areas that would represent different aspects of play.
The landscaper we used was amazing at bringing these ideas to life and the litter-filled, overgrown wasteland of an outdoor area changed dramatically within days. The new fence erected around the perimeter not only looked wonderful but also secured the whole area.
With chipped bark, gravel and artificial grass, the whole space became more than I could even have imagined – and when we introduced our new resources, it came to life.
The final stretch
As Easter approached, the packing up of resources and equipment at the Portacabin stepped up a gear. Fortunately, our local children’s centre loaned us the use of their building on the last day of the summer term, allowing us to move out with little disruption to families and in time for the end of our lease.
Work continued in earnest over Easter, with long days and the stress of wondering whether our efforts would be enough to see us open in time.
Reflection on our resources and equipment was necessary to understand where improvements to provision were needed. Out went lots of the plastic and in came a more natural environment.
The arrival of resources and equipment was exciting, as we began to think more carefully about the play spaces we were creating. Extra floor space allowed us to plan and develop the provision exactly as we wanted it.
However, as a team, we discussed the need to settle in and reflect on how the children used the space, aware that changes might need to be made.
Before we knew it the last day of the holidays was upon us, and it was spent arranging furniture, setting up rooms and cleaning. There was a real sense of excitement with us all looking forward to seeing the children enjoying the space the following day. Little sleep was had that night!
Journey’s end
Opening day was the most incredible experience. The long hours, stress and worry was completely worth it when we saw the children’s happy faces. Observing them using the space, exploring the resources and just finding wonder in everything was a very proud moment.
What am I most proud of? The garden has proven to be a popular aspect of our new setting, with children, staff and parents all enjoying the area.
Already we are seeing the space change – the willow tree in the centre of the garden has sprung into life. The bird feeders hanging in this tree needs topping up regularly and the children love watching the numerous birds flying and hopping around (we even made cardboard tube binoculars so we could get a better look!).
Our fabulous new mud kitchen from Landscapes for Learning is covered in the remnants of mud pies and soups, exactly the way it should be. Reading areas are scattered with books and the ‘Little Hive’ crooked house is starting to look lived in.
Next, we plan to develop the upstairs of the building, creating a community space for groups to hire in the evenings and weekends. Our forest school area is on course to be completed by the summer, ready for sessions to begin in the Autumn term.
Finally, our sensory room, which we are fundraising for at the moment, should be furnished soon and will be a welcome addition for children of all ages.
Has it been worth it? Completely! It has been undeniably stressful, but when I look around at what we’ve created, it makes me feel excited for the future and the wonderful experiences we’re able to give the children in The Hive.
Emma Davis is an Early Years Teacher and manager at Busy Bees Ledbury.
