KIDS Planet Day Nurseries is celebrating its 10th birthday this month and marked the anniversary with the opening of its 30th nursery.

The latest project is a conversion based in a former 19th-century church hall in Great Sankey.

Opening in Warrington and Widnes in 2008, the group now employs more than 950 staff and is responsible for the care and education of more than 4500 children across the 30 nurseries in the region.

Established by working mum Clare Roberts and her father John Hoban in 2008 and with Clare’s sister, Lucy Kaczmarska joining the group as Early Years Director in 2013, the group remains a family business.

Earlier this year, the group launched a unique Apprenticeship scheme.

With the last 20 Ofsted inspections rated outstanding, the group has plans to expand outside the north west, hoping to increase the total number of nurseries to 75 within the next 10 years.

They will be opening in Hoylake later this year.

Speaking at the recent Great Sankey opening, Clare Roberts CEO said: “We’re thankful to all our dedicated staff who live and breathe the Kids Planet ethos each day and are extremely excited about the next ten years and the plans we have for the future”.

An awards dinner for all staff, many who have been employed since its opening in 2008, will take place at the Mere Golf Resort in Knutsford later this month.