BUSINESS is a matter of the heart for Becky Shore – and her passion for childcare has certainly paid off.

Last spring, the 27-year-old saw off competition from large companies to woo council leaders and win a bid to launch her own nursery.

Now Becky is preparing to welcome families to Imagination Childcare for a special open day ahead of the nursery’s inauguration in September.

“I’m really excited but also nervous,” she said. “It’s been a lot of hard work. I really want to offer children a home from home environment where they can learn, develop and be happy.”

Becky studied childcare at Swindon College before enrolling in a BA in early childhood studies.

All the while she worked her way up from a nursery nurse post to a toddler room leader before moving on to management in a before-and-after-school club.

“I’ve always loved childcare,” said Becky, one of few practitioners in the Swindon area to hold an Early Years Professional Status certification. “When I was younger I thought I would be a teacher or something along those lines. I knew I wanted to work with children. I realised doing placements at college that I really enjoyed working with younger children.”

Opening a nursery had always been her ambition and yet she never truly believed this castle in the sky would become a reality until last Christmas.

“I’ve always had this dream to have my own business,” she said. “But I never thought it would happen. Over Christmas I decided to get in contact with Swindon Council. I had a meeting with them and put some ideas out there about what I could bring to childcare in Swindon. I had done my research and I found out there were no private nurseries in North Swindon.”

The council sent her information about a possible space at Moredon Children’s Centre where a day nursery had once been set up but closed soon after.

“I put a tender together. I had never done anything like this before. It was like the blind leading the blind. It was in Moredon which is where I grew up: it’s almost as though it was supposed to happen.

“I had an interview and the council rang me to say I had been successful. I feel so privileged to be able to provide care for the Moredon community.”

Imagination Childcare will be a 40-place day nursery welcoming both council and privately-funded children, aged two or older. The nursery will be open between 8am and 6pm.

Becky will be hosting a family open day tomorrow, from 11am-3pm. The nursery is located at Moredon Children’s Centre, Montrose Close. Call 07501919057 or e-mail becky@imagination-childcare.co.uk