Ref. 29340-4A NURSERY where parents have a direct input into how their children are educated opens to the public in Walcot at the end of the month.

The £900,000 nursery is the latest business venture for the Oxford, Swindon and Gloucester Co-op, which has 16 food stores and two funeral homes in Swindon.

Built by Midas Construction, the Buckhurst Fields nursery will cater for 61 children aged five and under, and will employ 20 staff.

Kay Kane, nursery manager, said: "It has been a long process. I have enjoyed seeing the different stages being built.

"But I am really looking forward to myself and the rest of the team starting work."

At each Co-op nursery, parents and carers are able to join a consultative group, known as the Local Nursery Group and have a direct say in the running of the nursery their child attends.

Parents and carers can also join the Co-op and receive a dividend benefit giving money off at all its businesses.

It is the first purpose-built nursery under the Imagine Co-operative Childcare scheme, although the company took over nurseries in Cam, Gloucestershire and Blackbird Leys in Oxford.

This month, the Co-op opened another nursery in Rose Hill, Oxford and will launch another in Caincross near Stroud, Gloucestershire, in May.

All the nurseries offer out-of-school childcare places, meals cooked each day on the premises and a planned curriculum.

They are also Ofsted registered and inspected.

Carol Jenkins, group general manager for Childcare, said: "The Co-op is best known as a local community grocer and an organisation with caring values and principles.

"Childcare is an ideal area for us in terms of business expansion. Our qualified childcare staff offer a very high level of childcare and education in a supportive and friendly environment."

It will cost parents £138 per week for a full time place at the nursery or £27.60 a day. Part-time places are available.

There is an open day on March 29 between 10am to 2pm for people to have a look around.

For more information call Kay on 07976 055476.

Bhavani Vadde