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North Yorkshire nursery expands to meet demand with third site
Tiddlywinks, a North Yorkshire-based children’s day nursery, has expanded its operations with the launch of a new, purpose-built childcare facility in Boroughbridge, creating new jobs for the local community.
Read time: 2 mins Added: 30/01/26
Putting sustainability at the heart of childcare
Tiddlywinks Nurseries secured a six-figure finance package from Lloyds which helped it open its third premises next to Yolk Farm, Boroughbridge. The purpose-built, 5,000 sq ft development was supported by a Lloyds Clean Growth Financing Initiative, which offers discounted lending to enable sustainable investments.
Sustainability and the environment sit at the heart of this latest venture for the business, which is rooted in the Forest School ethos, creating opportunities for children to play and learn outdoors in a natural rural setting.
The Boroughbridge nursery has already earned recognition for its sustainability credentials, achieving a BREEAM ‘Good’ rating for its environmentally responsible design, alongside an ‘EPC A’ energy performance certificate for outstanding energy efficiency.
Innovative design for a greener future
Key sustainability measures incorporated into the building include a high-spec insulation system and an air source heat pump, resulting in exceptional airtightness that exceeded all test requirements. Rainwater management has been thoughtfully considered, with all surface water collected in a specially constructed, half-million-litre underground reservoir. This water is gradually released into the local watercourse, helping to reduce flow and mitigate potential flood risk in the surrounding area.
To further support sustainable transport choices, the site features electric vehicle (EV) charging points for both staff and visitors, as well as a covered cycle store to encourage cycling as a cleaner commuting option.
The new site has created 12 local jobs, including two forest school-qualified teachers, and since opening demand has been unprecedented, with children from more than 120 families already signed up. To meet this growth, the nursery is set to recruit an additional five fully qualified staff ahead of January’s intake.
From village roots to sustainable expansion
Established by company director Tracey Roberts in 2004, Tiddlywinks Nurseries started life in Osbaldwick village, on the outskirts of York, in a converted former school from the 1800s. The nursery for children from birth to five years quickly gained an Ofsted ‘Outstanding’ rating and in 2015, after more than a decade of success at the York site, Tracey and the Tiddlywinks team made the decision to acquire a second premises in Easingwold town centre.
Tracey Roberts Director and Founder, Tiddlywinks NurseriesWe’ve worked with Lloyds since 2016, and they’ve been a really supportive partner as we’ve grown. The recent financing has allowed us to expand the business and futureproof our new Boroughbridge site, while staying true to what matters most – providing consistently high-quality childcare. Our nurseries are regularly rated Good or Outstanding by Ofsted, and that’s down to the way we adapt our care to each child’s individual needs. We follow the curriculum, but we also draw on different teaching styles so that learning is tailored and rooted in the children’s own interests.
Denise Kitchen Healthcare Relationship Manager, LloydsTiddlywinks Nurseries is a fantastic example of a business rooted in its community – supporting families across North Yorkshire, meeting the growing demand for nursery places and creating local jobs that boost the economy. It’s inspiring to see the heart and dedication Tracey and her team put into every site, and we’re proud to be supporting them as they look to add another string to their bow by investing in sustainable premises for the future.
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