Chris Pascal opens new Goodway nursery school building in Great Barr

Yesterday, CREC Director, Chris Pascal, had the honour of overseeing the official opening of the brand new Goodway Nursery School building in Great Barr.

Goodway Nursery School is a long-standing local authority maintained nursery school in Great Barr, Birmingham. Originally built as a day nursery in 1939, the original building had to be demolished in 2015 after it was found to be 'structurally unsound'.

Since then, the nursery has been operating out of a temporary modular building while the new nursery was being built.

Goodway Nursery School's new premises is the first new nursery school building to be built in Birmingham in nine years!

Beth O'Neill, Headteacher at Goodway Nursery School, told members of the local press: "This fantastic new building is exactly what's needed for local families with young children in the area. 

"Early education has a huge impact on children's long-term attainment and our new building, together with our highly qualified and dedicated staff team mean that we can provide the very best educational start for our children.

"The new building also allows children access to our amazing outdoor area where they can explore the natural environment.

"Our parents are really excited about our new building and the impact it will have  on their children's learning."

The new Nursery School will be able to provide part-time nursery places for 152 children and will be offering 30-hours free childcare for eligible working parents when the government scheme rolls out in September.

While the building itself was actually completed last month, staff at the new Goodway premises marked the official opening yesterday with an afternoon of celebration, including afternoon tea and cake, games, face painting, dhol drummers and other fun activities for families and members of the local community.

CREC was delighted to be involved in the grand opening celebration, with Chris Pascal invited to cut the ribbon on the new building and officially announce the nursery open for business!



Chris commented: "At a time when much early years provision is being stripped down nationally, it is wonderful to see a nursery school being redeveloped and expanded.

It's a real acknowledgement by Birmingham City Council of the invaluable role nursery schools play in supporting early learning, improving social mobility, and developing high-quality provision within the local system. "