WHEN Princess Diana officially opened the Greenfields Nursery, in Forest Fields, it brought out dignitaries from all over the city.

At the time, Greenfields offered something which was new in Nottingham – an affordable care setting for parents on low incomes and a provider of training.

Sure Start children's centres, which now provide a similar service, were not created in the 1990s, and some see Greenfields as an early forerunner.

This month, the nursery is 20 years old and during that time the charity has taken over management at two other settings, in Clifton and in Bilborough. Key figures who have worked on the frontline for two decades are proud of their achievements.

Judy Tate, director of Greenfields Centre Ltd, said: "When we opened there was a lot of unemployment and most people who opted for private childcare were parents who both had successful jobs.

"We provided training opportunities for local people to get skills and improve their chances of employment.

"If they did find work they would be able to put their child into daycare that was affordable. We provided subsidised care before families had support like child tax credit."

Greenfields opened their nursery in partnership with children's charity Barnados, and thanks to a £250,000 Government grant.

A group of 20 parents wanted to start an independent nursery which could support their local community.

Princess Diana was a patron of Barnados when she visited in 1992.

The charity had already been operating for two years, having moved into a former warehouse in Russell Road.

It began serving the community in March 1990 from the previously derelict building which had been vandalised for some time.

The nursery's opening sparked regeneration in the area.

Many similar nurseries with charitable and independent status have not survived as long as Greenfields. At least five similar nurseries have folded due to financial pressures in the Berridge ward alone in the time since Greenfields opened.

"We are sustainable now and we operate on earned money and grants for initiatives," Judy said.

"There are many nurseries where this has not happened because of the financial pressures that exist."

Nurseries have to provide at least one member of staff for every three children under two, one for every four children aged two years, and one for every eight children aged three to five.

It means nursery managers have a balancing act in order to remain profitable.

At Greenfields nurseries, staff selection and retention are a priority of the charity and have helped build solid relationships within communities – both in terms of recruiting local people and the quality of care provided by their 58 valued staff.

Nursery staff member, Stacey Pearson, said: "I love working here, every day is different."

Greenfields recently took over at Bilborough Children's Centre, formerly Sunnybrook Day Nursery, in Wigman Road, which closed due to financial issues in March last year.

A recent Ofsted inspection found the charity had adopted high standards quickly.

Lead inspector, Georgina Walker, said: "The staff create an extremely welcoming and generally safe environment to ensure all children are included and enjoy their time in the setting.

"The extended services provided in the children's centres, contribute successfully to the development of excellent relationships between staff, other providers, parents and carers, and the welfare of the children is considerably enhanced."

Greenfields staff have gained the confidence of parents quickly after Sunnybrook closed, Judy said.

Parents had campaigned to keep it open but the nursery, run on a not-for-profit basis by the Glenbrook Child Care Partnership, proved unsustainable.

Nottingham City Council had provided funding throughout the nursery's history.

Ofsted visited Greenfields at Bilborough Children's Centre in January, and rated it "good" with a "outstanding" features, including "engagement with parents and carers" and "promoting equality and diversity".

Greenfields' nursery in Clifton also provides the same services as Forest Fields and Bilborough.

Councillor Mick Newton is chairman of Nottingham City Council's Young Nottingham Select Committee, and oversees services and education provided for children.

He said: "Congratulations to Greenfields, this is something to celebrate, not just because of the 20th anniversary but also the fact that they have managed to survive for this time.

"There has been a growth in this kind of provision over the last ten years or so and especially with the creation of children's centres. Greenfields has led the way in many respects."

michael.greenwell@nottinghameveningpost.co.uk