BOROUGH Deputy Mayor Cllr Sue Shinnick was on hand when Grays' new Raising Eagles Montessori Nursery celebrated its official launch on Saturday (29 June), 2024.

During the launch event children, parents, staff and members of the community were invited to take part in a range of Montessori activities and enjoyed a full tour of all the amenities and facilities. 

The official ribbon-cutting ceremony was performed by Cllr Shinnick.

Additionally, Raising Eagles Montessori Nursery will not solely provide early years education, but will also offer career opportunities for the community and across Grays and Thurrock as a whole, actively recruiting for roles including Unqualified Nursery Practitioners, Qualified Nursery Practitioners, Montessori educators, chefs and housekeepers.

Nursery Owner and Managing Director Beverley Sam-Franks, said: "I have always had an interest in education and dreamt to be able to make an impact across the next generation of young children. It is a privilege to offer high quality and affordable Montessori education to the community."

"After years of planning, we have now been able to realise the dream and we are delighted to officially open our nursery today, providing a first-class AMI Montessori learning approach and environment where the children can grow and develop with the support of our excellent nursery team. We are so proud to be able to offer this much needed facility and services to the community and everyone feels valued, included and respected" she added.

Raising Eagles Montessori Nursery provides parents and children with an authentic AMI Montessori experience.

The carefully crafted environment, features beautiful classrooms and innovative materials, which will inspire young minds and promote child development and independence. The nurturing setting will also help children thrive physically, academically, socially, and emotionally.

With tailored activities to suit each child's unique needs, the full curriculum will offer children practical life skills, sensory development, numeracy and arithmetic, language and literacy, creative arts and outdoor activities that aims to raise breakthrough generations that can balance academic excellence, character development, social skills, emotional intelligence and ensuring that children become responsible, compassionate, and self-motivated individuals impacting the local community, the nation and beyond.

The nursery mirrors the diverse, multicultural and inclusive environment embodied by the communities in Grays and it emphasizes the belief in the strong parent partnerships, assisted by the usage of innovative technology for continuous updates and connection with families.

 Raising Eagles will be creating job opportunities for people in the local community and is open and welcoming children for breakfast from 8am with the nursery day ending at 6:00pm for children aged between two to five years, 51 weeks a year, providing a valuable option for working parents.

 Participating in both 15- and 30-hours free entitlement for 2, 3 and 4-year-olds and accepting Tax-Free Childcare payments for any age this opening will provide high quality nursery education both affordable and accessible.

 For more information about Raising Eagles Montessori Nursery, or to register for a viewing visit: https://raisingeagles.co.uk/