THE new Cygnets Pre-school in Bratton finally opened its doors last week to its first intake of children from the village, Westbury and surrounding area.

It was originally due to open on April 1 but the new start was postponed because of the ongoing Covid-19 restrictions.

Emma Osmond, manager of Cygnets, said: “The project has been an absolute labour of love and would not have been completed without so much heart-warming support from my family and the local community.

“We have always been passionate about delivering quality early years childcare within Bratton, where many children and vulnerable families were left without support at short notice last year.

“Although the Covid-19 lockdown presented us with challenges and delays that we could not ever have imagined when the project began, it has been an absolute joy to finally welcome our first children through the door over the last few days.”

It was confirmed in November last year that a second Cygnets setting would open to replace the old Bratton Pre-School, following its sudden closure in September.

With support from the Bratton Parish Council, local businesses and volunteers from the community, the Bratton Pavilion has been completely transformed inside and out to make it fit for purpose.

It now offers a warm, bright, well-equipped and welcoming environment for children aged two to five.

The building now has re-configured toilets suitable for small children, a new kitchen, a new front door, re-wired electrics, new outdoor play equipment and a complete exterior coat of paint – all making it almost unrecognisable.

Miss Osmond added: “While returning to childcare after lockdown remains optional for many, we have been pleased to see 14 children choosing to join us in the first week.

“These children have all been out of pre-school for eight months, many requiring additional support and others in desperate need of time to prepare for starting school in the autumn.

“To finally see the room filled with smiling faces, to hear their laughter and to see the children making friends and settling in so well, makes all the hard work worthwhile.”

Alex Reynolds, chair of the Cygnets Pre-School committee, said: “We’ll have to wait a while for a big party to celebrate the opening, but we are thrilled to finally be able to welcome the children to their new pre-school.

“Without doubt Emma has been the heart and soul of this project, working tirelessly to make sure every detail is perfect and to ensure that the Cygnets offering for the families of Bratton is the best it can be.

“On behalf of the Cygnets Committee, we would also like to extend our thanks to: Lee, Gracie, Archie and Poppy Osmond, Katherine and Mark Wilson, Lynn and Steve Murden, Julie and Colin Osmond, Richard Osmond, Hannah Seviour, Jeff Ligo and the Bratton Parish Council, Chris Jenkins of Wheelers, Ross Privett of Privett’s Heating and Plumbing, Cygnets Westbury and Bratton staff teams, and all those in the village who have given their time and support in getting this project off the ground.

“We look forward to thanking them all in person – and to raising a glass to Cygnets Bratton - as soon as we are able to.”

The project has received support throughout from the Bratton Parish Council and Bratton Primary School.

Parish Council chairman Jeff Ligo said: “Bratton Parish Council is delighted that the pre-school is now open and is supporting so many young children both in the village and from further afield.

“The project has been superbly managed by Emma – her initial vision of transforming the pavilion was viewed with scepticism, but from day one her determination, success in securing funding and overall management has been outstanding.

“We hope that a thriving pre-school will do much to secure the long-term future of our primary school as well as underpinning the popularity of Bratton as a place to raise a family.”

Ian Bolton, headteacher at Bratton Primary School, said: “We are really pleased that the pre-school has now been able to open its doors, after a lot of hard work all completed in a very impressive time frame.

“The school has been on board with this project from the outset and are very much looking forward to working closely with Emma and her team.

“We hope that families attending the setting will take confidence from the open and supportive relationship with the primary school ensuring a seamless transition process.”

For more information on Cygnets Pre-School visit www.cygentspreschool.co.uk