Church Fenton nursery reopens after £750,000 redevelopment
Jigsaws Childcare Nursery has reopened following a £750,000 redevelopment, increasing its capacity from 51 to 77 children and creating new facilities for families in Church Fenton and the surrounding area.
The two-month programme of work, which began in July, saw the removal of the original prefabricated building that had served the nursery since it was established in 2007.
The building was replaced with a new energy-efficient two-storey facility designed to provide improved surroundings for children’s learning, development and wellbeing.
Working with architects Henszel Designs and modular building manufacturer Phoenix Building Systems, the new facility was manufactured off-site before 14 individual modules were transported to the site and craned into position.
The redevelopment has increased the nursery’s capacity from 51 to 77 children, providing an additional 26 places for local families.
New facilities for local families
To mark the reopening, Jigsaws held a free open day for the local community, giving families the opportunity to look around the new building, meet staff and find out more about the nursery’s childcare provision.
Established in 2007, Jigsaws is an inclusive, community-rooted, not-for-profit organisation providing full-day nursery care, wraparound before- and after-school clubs and support for children with special educational needs.
The redevelopment comes ahead of the nursery’s 20th anniversary in 2027 and represents a significant investment in its future and its role supporting families in the village.
Focus on children’s health and wellbeing
The redevelopment follows Jigsaws’ success in securing the Healthy Early Years Gold Award in April 2026.
The award recognises the nursery’s work supporting children’s physical, social and emotional wellbeing, promoting healthy eating and encouraging outdoor learning.
Children take part in garden harvesting and ‘plant to plate’ activities, growing and harvesting food while learning about where it comes from.
The nursery also places a focus on staff mental health and wellbeing, with a dedicated mental health first aider on site. Staff are encouraged to take part in Forest Schools teaching as part of the nursery’s outdoor curriculum.
Food and nutrition are also an important part of the nursery’s approach. Meals are prepared on site by the kitchen team, with an emphasis on home-cooked food, and the nursery holds a Food Hygiene Rating of 5.
Recognition for childcare standards
Jigsaws was awarded Millie’s Mark in 2017, becoming the first nursery in the Selby area to achieve the recognition.
Awarded by the National Day Nurseries Association in collaboration with the Department for Education and Millie’s Trust, Millie’s Mark recognises childcare settings that go beyond the minimum requirements for paediatric first aid training and demonstrate a commitment to maintaining staff skills and safeguarding children.
Helen Smith, Business Manager at Jigsaws Childcare:
This has been a landmark year for Jigsaws. From investing £750,000 in a new nursery to securing our Healthy Early Years Gold Award, we have achieved some really significant milestones as an organisation, and we are incredibly proud of what they represent.
As we approach our 20th anniversary, this is about more than celebrating our past – it is about shaping what comes next. This investment is future-proofing Jigsaws for the next 20 years and beyond, giving us the foundations to grow, innovate and continue making a real difference to children and families across our community.
Behind all of this is an exceptional team of 28 members of staff who bring our values to life every day. Their dedication, alongside the support of our families and the wider community, has helped make Jigsaws what it is today.
‘A fantastic asset for our village’
Katie Dean, Jigsaws parent:
I honestly can’t put into words how grateful I am for everything Jigsaws has done for Gabriella. She absolutely adores going and has grown so much in confidence – her little friendships and social skills have just blossomed. As her mum, knowing she’s somewhere she feels completely happy, safe and loved is everything, and I trust the team implicitly. They’ve become such a lovely part of our family’s life that there was never any question where her baby sister Connie would go – she’ll be starting soon too!
The new building is clean, well designed and spacious, and a fantastic asset for our village. With the increased capacity, more local families will get to experience what we have. We genuinely feel so lucky to have this nursery on our doorstep with such fantastic, caring staff.