Best-selling children’s author Nick Butterworth visited Ipswich today to officially open the Lodge Day Nursery.
The Lodge, which is part of Ipswich School, offers child care for children aged three months to three years - and accepted its first intake of youngsters six weeks ago.
To mark the grand opening, the school invited Mr Butterworth, best known for his hugely popular Percy the Park Keeper stories, to take a tour of the nursery and meet some of the children.
Mr Butterworth then gave a talk to parents, stressing the importance of inspiring youngsters to pick up a book and to kick start their love of reading.
“Reading, especially reading for pleasure, is such a beneficial thing,” he said.
“The wonderful way books and stories open people’s imaginations and stimulate creative thinking in all sorts of ways.
“Imagination is what has inspired people like Tim Berners-Lee to create the internet, imagination gets people asking the question ‘does it have to be like that’.
“You hear stories about people’s lives which are so inspiring and also help as a warning to what not to do ourselves.
“On top of that it is just hugely entertaining.”
Speaking about the new nursery, Mr Butterworth said: “I am blown away with what they have done here. You see how much thought and detail has been put into it, it’s very impressive and the children who come here will find the transition from home to the beginning of school seamless.”
Amanda Childs, head of Ipswich Prep-School, who spearheaded the project, said: “I always wanted to have a day care nursery that went from when they are babies because it is not only helping the community but providing a service to our current parents as well.”
She said the building, a former NHS property which dates back to 1858, was completely transformed in 18 months.
“It has changed dramatically, she said.
“We have knocked a lot of walls down and moved things around to enable the rooms to be bigger.
“We wanted to create a home from home atmosphere for the children so they feel comfortable when they are with us.”
“We have been open for six weeks and have received incredible feedback from everyone who has come through the door.”
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