A GROUP providing childcare in Maiden Newton has celebrated the arrival of a new building.

Youngsters and adults from Maiden Newton Childcare Provision looked on as the highly anticipated addition to the current building was lifted into place, signalling the start of an extension project after years of fundraising.

Maiden Newton Childcare Provision is a non-profit making charity that was originally set up more than 40 years ago to meet the demand for childcare for working families.

Over the years it has evolved in order to meet the growing needs and demands of the area and now includes a baby and toddler group and offers after school and holiday childcare as well as a pre-school.

For many years the groups have operated from the Youth and Community Centre but families, staff and members of the committee decided the building was no longer suitable for young children, so began fundraising for more suitable premises.

The neighbouring purpose-built SureStart building was the obvious choice but it was too small.

The group was given permission to extend the building but then had to take on the mammoth task of fundraising in order to make it possible.

Now the first stages of the extension are well underway.

It said the committee, staff and children wanted to thank everyone that had offered their financial assistance in order to make its dreams become a reality and that every penny had been very much appreciated.

Committee member Kelly Critchell said: “Securing the funding needed to build the extension to the SureStart building has been an extremely difficult process.

“It has involved hard work and determination from a vast amount of people in our local community.

“So many people have given up their time for free and helped secure money from many different fundraising avenues in order to make the dream of having a warm, purpose built building become a reality.

“It has been extremely heart-warming to see so many people pull together to ensure the local children have the facilities they need and deserve.”

Once completed the building will be a ‘one-stop shop’ of services for local families.

Maiden Newton Childcare Provision says it is delighted to be in a position where it can offer all of their services from one building, whilst also incorporating the local SureStart teams sessions.

More details on all activities on offer at the building will become available upon completion of the build.