News: Strong start for Pollywiggle after enterprise support

Business partners Kirsty Hanberry and Kelly Wright have benefited from support early in their business life as they open the first childcare solution in Treeton.

The duo decided to jump in at the deep end and set up Pollywiggle but soon realised it wouldn't be as straight forward as they originally thought. So they contacted Rotherham Enterprise – a project part financed by The European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) which gives start - up businesses the help, support and guidance to enable them to flourish.

Kelly said: "We decided to launch Pollywiggle Day Nursery after noticing a gap in the childcare market because of changing demographics in Treeton. There are lots more families coming to live here who previously had to travel a substantial distance to find a good quality nursery for their youngsters.

"We were fortunate that Robert Moorhouse, our project manager from the Rotherham Enterprise Project, helped us with our business plan and in finding premises, as well as sourcing us a £500 grant which went towards buying resources and play equipment."

Since officially opening this February, the Pollywiggle Day Nursery has gone from strength to strength and now takes care of 48 children on a regular basis.

Rachel Clark, from Rotherham Investment and Development Office, one of the delivery partners of the Rotherham Enterprise Project, said: "Both Kirsty and Kelly are a great inspiration to all they meet. They have taken the rough with the smooth and turned Pollywiggle into a growing success. The whole team wish them the very best for the future."

Kirsty, a soon to be mum of two, has a marketing degree and worked for many years in various business roles. Kelly has three children and, with 12 years of childcare experience, previously ran a busy pre-school in the region.

Kirsty concludes: "Being mums ourselves, we totally understand what parents are looking for when choosing childcare options. It can be a stressful decision. We are here to put their minds at ease and give their children fun, educational and engaging sessions in a secure environment while they are at work."

Pollywiggle website
Rotherham Investment and Development Office

Images: Rotherham Enterprise