Nursery starts a price war

Sunbeams, which offers full day care for up to 60 children at Southwell Business Park, recently gained the highest quality Ofsted inspectors' report for any day nursery in the county and has invested more than £500,000 in its new and extended operation.

Now the Compass Terrace site has slashed prices and extended opening hours in a major campaign that owner Richard Myers said was 'a direct assault' on established nurseries in Wyke Regis and other parts of Weymouth.

He added that Sunbeams had cut session prices by 15 per cent, scrapped registration fees and extended its opening hours in a bid to attract clients to its custom-built premises.

Mr Myers said: "Ofsted gave us a superb report. Now we're offering excellent value too.

"Parents need a reason to drive to Southwell instead of Weymouth. Now they've got three - the best care, better prices and longer opening hours."

He added that Sunbeams had decided to extend its hours to give commuting parents longer for drop-offs and pickups.

Now the day nursery's 16 local staff will be touring the area this weekend to publicise the new move with a leaflet campaign and questionnaire.

Mr Myers explained: "We're doing our best to provide Portland and the Weymouth area with a top-quality facility.

"Ofsted gave us the thumbs-up with 'outstanding' and 'good' throughout our operation, the highest accolade for any similar nursery in Dorset.

"Now we want the thumbs-up from everyone who lives here. Cheaper prices and no registration fee might just help people decide we really are the right choice."

But day nurseries in Weymouth said they were confident that parents would rather keep their children with them than trek over to Portland.

Manager Kim Wadham of Scallywags on Dorchester Road said: "We don't charge registration fees and I don't think we will be affected by Sunbeams. Our customers are happy to stay with us and certainly won't be tempted all the way over to Portland."