Bloemfontein welcomes new baby room & nursery with grand opening celebration
Thanks to the Department for Education’s Improving Schools Based Nurseries bid, Bloemfontein has been able to create a beautiful, nurturing space right there on site, where little learners will soon begin their big adventures.
Schools North East was delighted to attend the grand opening of their brand-new baby room and nursery on Friday 5 September – and what an inspiring morning it was!
Local pride right across the project
From cosy corners to sensory spaces, the nursery has been thoughtfully created to provide a safe, nurturing environment where babies and toddlers can grow, explore, and thrive. The décor features soft, calming colours and a clutter-free layout that supports focus and wellbeing.
The project was a true community effort, with builders and staff working hard on-site right across the summer break to ensure the nursery was ready to open its doors in September.
Keeping within the community feel, the beautiful new furniture was supplied by a local company based in Middlesbrough, adding an extra layer of local pride to the development.
And the improvements don’t stop inside… there’s an exciting new outdoor play and learning environment has been created, complete with a veranda and a thoughtfully planned garden. This space will give children opportunities to:
- Discover the changing seasons
- Build confidence and physical skills
- Connect with nature
- Learn through play, whatever the weather
Head Teacher Alex and Early Years Lead Anna have a clear vision: “better start, better journey.” This is more than just a slogan: it’s a commitment to children and families. By offering funded places, toddler groups, and family workshops on everything from toilet training to bedtime routines, they are supporting parents as well as pupils.
Brilliant benefits that will ripple across communities
As discussed in their recent episode of The Schools North East Podcast, Alex and Anna also used the opening to call for greater recognition of early years education, stressing that it should be seen not only as a workforce policy, but as the foundation of lifelong learning.
They advocate for proper funding, high-quality training for early years staff, and universal access to early years provision, helping to level the playing field before children even step into reception.
“If we get this right,” they explained, “the benefits ripple through schools, families, and communities – improving attainment, boosting parental engagement, and creating children who are curious, resilient, and ready to thrive.”
Chris Zarraga, Director of Schools North East, said: “It was wonderful for the team to see this new space in person and to celebrate the hard work of everyone involved. Early years is absolutely crucial, and Bloemfontein’s commitment to giving children the very best start in life is inspiring. This project shows what’s possible when schools, families, and policymakers work together to create nurturing, high-quality provision.”
The new baby room and nursery represent an important milestone for Bloemfontein, creating a true birth-to-11 joined-up journey for children and families. It’s a shining example of how thoughtful design, community effort, and a shared vision can transform early years education.
The grand opening was a wonderful opportunity to showcase the stunning new space and celebrate the hard work that went into preparing it for September — and to such a high standard. We are grateful to Alex and Anna for the invitation and look forward to seeing the positive impact this space will have on the community.
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