Capital team leads major refurbishment to enhance Little Oaks Nursery at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital

Gloucestershire Managed Services Capital team is delivering a programme of refurbishment works at Little Oaks Nursery at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital, designed to improve safety, comfort and outdoor learning opportunities for children and families who rely on this valued workplace nursery.

Little Oaks Nursery is an in‑house, Trust‑managed setting available exclusively to NHS employees. It supports colleagues with both fixed and flexible shift patterns, helping staff balance work and family life through reliable childcare that operates year‑round. The nursery provides places for up to 45 children aged from three months to five years, and sits alongside its sister nursery, Little Apples, on the Cheltenham General Hospital site.

The current refurbishment includes upgrades to the heating and cooling systems, improving comfort in all weather conditions. External lighting around the building is being replaced to create a brighter and safer environment for colleagues arriving and leaving during hours of darkness. The outdoor garden area is also being redesigned to create a larger, safer space for children to play.

A dedicated zone is being developed with the aim of supporting future Forest School‑style activities, expanding opportunities for outdoor learning and exploration.

The Capital team is working closely with nursery staff to minimise disruption and ensure that the improvements reflect the needs of children, parents and colleagues. Little Oaks already offers high‑quality childcare, with a designated SENCO, inclusive practice and support for both funded childcare hours and flexible booking for shift workers.

Jon Williams-Meyer, Capital Project Manager, said:
“Little Oaks plays a vital role in supporting our colleagues and their families. We are proud to deliver improvements that will enhance safety, comfort and outdoor learning for the children who use these facilities every day. These upgrades will make a meaningful difference to both the nursery environment and the experience of the families who depend on it.”

Sarah Penston, Trust Childcare Manager, added:
“We are delighted to see this investment in Little Oaks. The children will benefit enormously from the improved outdoor space and safer, brighter surroundings. The upgrades will support our plans for more outdoor learning opportunities, and they will help us continue providing high‑quality, flexible childcare that meets the needs of our staff and their families.”

Further updates will be shared as the project progresses.