A Doncaster nursery has been given approval to become the first in the country to offer 24-hour care without having to register as a children's home.
The Bright Beginnings Day Nursery has successfully negotiated with Ofsted to stay open 24/7 without changing status by assuring inspectors no child will be given continuous care for more than 24 hours.
The nursery, which opened four months ago and starts the overnight service in July, will serve shift workers. It insists stays over weekends are broken up halfway for three to four hours. During the week children are dropped off at 6.30pm and picked up at around 1pm the following day.
Co-director Andrew Pearce said: "We've been told we are to be guinea pigs. I understand their concerns, what they don't want is children's homes by the back door."
