A nursery in the Scotswood area of Newcastle has received a generous donation of equipment to enhance its provision for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). The donation, which includes sensory equipment, was made by New Tyne West Development Company (NTWDC), the partnership behind the nearby Rise development.
The Scotswood Village Nursery, based at St Margaret’s Church on Heighley Street, provides early years education to children aged two to four. The nursery, which is family-run, has been praised for its high standards of care, recently earning its second consecutive ‘Outstanding’ rating from Ofsted.
Directors Karen Holmes and Chris Cook, who bring over 70 years of combined experience in educational provision and childcare, have built the nursery into a respected local institution. In 2017 and 2020, their daughters Caroline Duncan and Jen Rodden joined the business, having both worked as primary school teachers. Their shared university experience and strong professional bond have contributed to the nursery’s continued success.
With the donation of sensory equipment, the nursery is now better equipped to meet the diverse needs of its pupils, including those with SEND. The equipment is already having a noticeable impact on the children, helping to create a more inclusive and stimulating environment for their development.
Caroline Duncan, one of the directors, expressed her gratitude for the donation, saying: “We are really thankful to Lee and the team at NTWDC for providing this donation, which will enable us to enhance our provision further. The children are loving the new equipment, and it’s making a real difference to the nursery.”
Duncan also highlighted the nursery’s ongoing commitment to collaborating with local organisations, saying: “We are always looking to partner with local businesses and community groups that want to support the area. I’d like to thank Lisa Conroy from Healthworks for introducing us to NTWDC.”
Lee McGray, Director of NTWDC, explained that the company was pleased to support such a worthwhile cause. “When we were told about the opportunity to help support this fantastic nursery, we were only too happy to get involved,” he said. “The dedication and hard work of the team at Scotswood Village Nursery is exceptional. We know many families in the community speak highly of the care and education their children receive here.”
NTWDC is behind The Rise, a major housing and regeneration project in the west end of Newcastle. The £265 million, 148-acre development aims to create 1,800 new homes in the area and has already delivered over 550 homes to date. As part of its commitment to local communities, NTWDC also supports a range of initiatives aimed at improving education, art, and the environment, with up to £75,000 being allocated each year to charitable causes.
The Rise development, which has become a model of housing innovation in Newcastle, also provides local employment opportunities, including apprenticeships. The ongoing success of NTWDC’s projects is contributing to the area’s wider regeneration and economic growth.
With the addition of the sensory equipment, Scotswood Village Nursery is now even better placed to offer a high-quality, inclusive educational experience to children in the local community.
Image caption: A Scotswood Village Nursery pupil interacts with sensory equipment, joined by (L-R) teachers Jen Rodden and Caroline Duncan, and NTWDC Director, Lee McGray.