The excitement is building for a mother and daughter team who are set to launch a new day nursery later this year.
Diane and Emily Pilsbury-Gaunt are busy putting the finishing touches to Rainbows Day Nursery, which will launch in Hopper Way in Diss from September 2.
It will offer up to 100 spaces for children, aged from six weeks to five years old, five days a week.
Diane, who will be the nursery manager and has more than 30 years of experience in childcare, said: “I’ve spoken about having a nursery for a lot of years, but I have never had the opportunity to take that leap before.
“But then Emily said why don’t we just go for it, so that is what we have done.”
The venture will operate from the former site of Safe Hands Day Nursery, which closed suddenly in December, leaving a number of families without any childcare.
After spotting a gap in the market, the pair quickly got to work securing the site and giving it a full refurbishment.
The nursery, which has been fitted with a kitchen and has an outdoor garden space, is split up into three rooms, allowing it to cater for various age groups.
Diane, who has been a neonatal nursery nurse at West Suffolk Hospital for the last five years, said: “Early years learning is so important, as they are our next generation. I am so excited to give them the best start and make a difference.
“We have had an overwhelming response from people wanting places and staff wanting to work for us, so it’s really exciting.”
The pair, who live in Sycamore Way, said the support from family and friends had been amazing.
“We just want to thank everyone, including our partners, Ben and Paul, for their support,” said Diane, 54.
“Also, a big thanks to Paul Downing and Joe Reed, who own Diss Business Park, for giving local people like us the opportunity to start a business in Diss – we hope we can do the community proud.”
Rainbows Day Nursery will be open from Monday to Friday, between 8am and 6pm. For more details, go online to www.rainbowsdaynurse.uk.
