A CHINGFORD nursery has become so successful its management have decided to expand and open a primary school.

Buttercups Nursery, in Marlborough Road, has now been renamed Chingford House School and is set to start teaching reception and year one pupils in September.

Headteacher and owner Helen McNulty said parents were so happy with the nursery they wanted their children to stay on.

She said: “We currently have about 50 children coming here and it's been going very well.

"Lots of parents have been asking us if we would expand into a primary school so we can continue what we do for the children when they get older.

“We're all very excited about the plans. I really believe in fulfilling the potential of the children and we focus here very much on treating each child as an individual, which I think the parents really appreciate.”

The school, which will charge fees of between £950 and £2,400 a term depending on Government grants for the children, could further expand to include older classes if the first academic year goes well.

Ms McNulty said she hoped the total number of children at the site would remain unchanged, with the number of nursery-age youngsters being reduced in favour of the older years.

She said they were contemplating applying for permission to add an extra floor to their building, although the current plans are to have around 12 pupils per class.

She added: “We will see how things go this first year. We've already got much of the staff in place including French, Art and P.E. teachers. We're looking forward to getting started.”

Tara Burgin, the school's business consultant, added: “Early years education is so important and the curriculum we offer is fantastic. It's great to be supported by the parents and hopefully it will go well.”

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