SPONSORED FEATURE
A newly extended baby room and improved outdoor play area mark the latest chapter for Teenyworld, the Withernsea nursery that has helped generations of local children take their first steps towards school.
Owner Dawn Arundale has run the nursery since 2009, having first joined as a member of staff. Over the years, she has continued to invest in its facilities while retaining something just as important to families – an experienced team of familiar faces.
The latest work, completed in August, has extended and refurbished the baby room, creating more space for the nursery’s youngest children.
It follows the addition of a purpose-built building for two-year-olds about five years ago, while the recently developed outdoor area has further improvements to come.
Together, the spaces allow children to move through the nursery from babies to toddlers and on to the preschool group, with facilities suited to each stage.
For Dawn, however, the people remain at the heart of Teenyworld.
She said: “I wouldn’t manage without the fantastic team I’ve got.”
Many staff have worked at the nursery for years, providing continuity for children and reassurance for parents. Each child has their own key worker, and the team’s long service helps those relationships develop without frequent changes.
Dawn’s own career in childcare began when she was 17, working at another Withernsea nursery. Some of the children she cared for then have since brought their own children to Teenyworld.
Dawn said: “We’ve got lots of memories over the years. We’ve seen a lot of children, and quite a few of them have then come back from high school and done their work experience here.”
Those connections reflect the nursery’s long place in the community, alongside its willingness to adapt as families’ needs change.
One of the biggest changes Dawn has seen during her time as owner is the expansion of funded childcare. When she took over, most parents paid for their children’s places themselves. Now, the vast majority of families at Teenyworld receive funding.
The nursery offers families the option of stretching funded hours across the year, helping eligible parents plan childcare beyond term time.
Although running the business now means Dawn spends a lot of time in the office, hearing positive feedback from families remains a rewarding part of the job.
Her original ambition was simple: “I just wanted to work in a nursery.”
Today, that commitment continues through the team she has built and the improvements taking shape around them.
Limited baby places are currently available. To find out more about Teenyworld, discuss your childcare needs or arrange a visit, contact the nursery on 01964 613794.
