Smartys Day Nursery Group is celebrating 29 years of caring for children and families in Stone and across Staffordshire.
The family run nursery group began in 1997, when founder Janet Skelton set out to create high quality childcare rooted in care, learning and support for families.
Since then, Smartys has grown into a group of four Ofsted registered nurseries, supporting generations of children through some of the most important years of their early lives.
Smartys said
“Whilst inspection outcomes are important, our greatest measure of success will always be the children and families we support.”
Although the group has grown over nearly three decades, Smartys says its focus has remained on putting children at the heart of what it does.
Janet continues to play an active role in the business, alongside her daughter Bethany, who now helps lead Smartys into its next chapter.
The group says their shared focus is on continuous improvement, supporting staff and creating settings where children feel settled, curious and ready to learn.
Smartys said it wants to remain a place where
“children flourish, families feel supported and practitioners are empowered to make a meaningful difference every day.”
The group is also marking the milestone by recognising the loyalty of its workforce. Across 58 practitioners, Smartys says its team has a combined length of service of more than 420 years, an average of more than seven years per team member.
In a childcare sector often affected by staff turnover, Smartys says that continuity has helped build long standing relationships between practitioners, children and families.
The group said its staff help create nurturing and stimulating spaces where children can build confidence, curiosity and a love of learning.
Smartys is also highlighting its Ofsted record across its Stone settings. One of its four Ofsted registered nurseries holds the highest possible grading of Outstanding and is currently the only early years setting in Stone with that distinction.
A further Smartys setting is rated Good with elements of Outstanding, while the group’s remaining two settings are both rated Good.
Over the past 29 years, Smartys says it has supported thousands of children, including some who have later returned as parents themselves.
As it looks towards its 30th anniversary, the group says it will continue investing in its staff, improving its environments and supporting families in Stone and Staffordshire.
Smartys said
“We are proud of our past, excited about our future, and look forward to celebrating many more years together.”
