A NEW manager has joined a Kidderminster nursery following a rise in demand for places.

Hannah Stokes, 29, joins The Co-operative Childcare nursery in Coventry Street, bringing 14 years experience in the childcare industry after beginning as an apprentice.

She will continue to help the nursery develop links with local community groups and has already arranged for the children to take part in a pirates and princesses dress-up day to raise money for Kidderminster charity, Crackerjacks Children’s Trust, which offers help and assistance to children who suffer from severe disabilities.

The Kidderminster nursery cares for children from three months to five years and has a forest garden area.

Miss Stokes said: “My aspiration to work in childcare started when I was a child myself and I have always wanted to make a difference to children in their important early years.

"I am really looking forward to welcoming new children to the nursery and building links with community groups like Crackerjacks to help make a difference to them too.

“I’m really excited to be joining the Kidderminster nursery to continue the team’s hard work."