19th Nov 2007 - Hamilton International Park attracts Scandinavian nursery to retail parade

The Barnehage Children's Daycare Nursery has concluded a 20 year lease to open a brand new facility at Hamilton International Park (HIP).

The purpose-designed nursery, due to open in January 2008, will provide space for 100 children between six months and five years of age.

The Norwegian-based company, which has over 20 years experience in providing innovative childcare, follows the Scandinavian nursery education model which places a great emphasis on both the internal and external environment.

As a result, the new nursery will benefit from an outdoor play area and modern comfortable facilities which are complemented by under-floor heating, soundproofing materials on the walls, floors and ceilings as well as a full ventilation system.

David Illingworth, owner of the new daycare nursery said: "We are very excited about opening a nursery at HIP. We will bring the best practices of the Scandinavian experience and blend with the requirements of a Scottish nursery. The Scandinavians believe in as much outdoor activity as possible and we will be putting a strong emphasis on this, both at the nursery and out and about."

The eagerly anticipated Retail Parade at HIP is rapidly taking shape. Leading bakery group Greggs recently opened their Gourmet format store at the Park, and has proved to be a great success with the Park employees and local residents. Unisex hair and beauty salon, Compliments, will open their store on the parade in the New Year.

Ideally located on the corner of Technology Avenue and Hillhouse Road, the 14,143 sq.ft Retail Parade - being developed by HIP owner HFD Group -provides space for six retail outlets offering  a wide range of leisure and retail facilities to both the business park occupiers and the local community.

William Hill, managing director of HFD Group, said: "We are delighted to welcome the Barnehage Children's Daycare Nursery to Hamilton International Park. The pioneering nursery is one of the first of its kind in Scotland, and I'm sure it will be a great asset to the Park and warmly received by all of our tenants and the local community."

Sue Palmer, education consultant and author of Toxic Childhood, believes the Scandinavian model of nursery education is of great benefit to children.

Sue said: "Early years education in the Scandinavian countries is great fun for children -- lots of outdoor activities, play-based learning, stories, music and art.  And it also pays off later in terms of educational achievement -- even though Sweden and Finland don't start formal learning till children are seven (two years after the UK), they always come top of the international literacy charts.

"The Scandinavians have clearly got things right, with a child-centred, play-based, structured early years curriculum that concentrates on children's physical, social, linguistic and personal development.  It is very encouraging to see this model being followed at Hamilton International Park."

The new £5.2million Retail Parade is part of Hamilton International Park's phase two expansion plans to build a further high-quality office accommodation space over the next three to four years, creating in excess of 2,500 additional jobs for the surrounding area.