Tain’s Stepping Stones set to open doors on new premises as childcare demand soars
AN expanding early learning and childcare business in Easter Ross is growing its team in response to demand and set to showcase what it offers to the public.
Stepping Stones Nursery in Tain, which has been in business for 14 years, has recently undergone expansion at the site of the old Carnegie Hotel just off the A9 in Tain.
Currently providing early learning and childcare for children ranging from newborn to 5 years, the business over the years describes itself as “having gone from strength to strength”.
Currently operating out of the site at Victoria Road in Tain, such was the demand above the current nursery capacity that proprietors Ailsa and Terry Puckrin quickly established a need for expansion.
After purchasing the property, formerly the Carnegie Hotel, development has taken place to match what they describe as “the ever-growing demand for childcare spaces”.
The new site will increase current capacity from 66 children at any one time to around 120 children between both premises. In addition, Stepping Stones will now be catering for school aged childcare by offering after-school club and holiday childcare. The original site at Victoria Road will now accommodate increased baby and toddler spaces while the new property will accommodate children aged from three years and up.
The redevelopment of the former hotel started back in November 2024. The opening of the nursery will take place in early March and will continue to adopt the current indoor and outdoor experience for children.
The core nursery hours will remain the same, operating the same level of service, Monday-Friday, 8am-6pm, all year round. The after-school care and holiday childcare for school aged children aims to expand what was previously on offer to parents.
This expansion also means Stepping Stones are recruiting and growing the team, which currently consists of 44 members of staff.
An open day is to be held at both nursery sites on Saturday, March 1. That is open to the general public from noon until 3pm. It is aimed at anyone who would like to come and see round the nurseries, indoor and outdoors.
