Cosy yet chic, nurturing yet practical, and all of it oh-so stylish. Welcome to the flagship Cub Nursery in Wetherby, where every element of this DesignTonic interior is focused on helping Cub deliver their mission of reinventing early years education.
Meet Cub
Cub are a brand new group here to shake things up in the world of nursery provision, with a modern and flexible approach that’s designed “by parents, for parents” - just the sort of forward-thinking brief we love here at DesignTonic!
With an incredible 10,000 sq ft site just outside Wetherby secured, we were delighted to help Cob realise their contemporary childcare dreams in this, their inaugural home.
Here’s how we did it…
A Creative Collaboration
“Being involved from the start meant we had a strong understanding of the team’s requirements and aspirations and meant we could work closely with them to assess the feasibility of the building before starting with a blank canvas.”
DesignTonic’s Amanda Cook speaks to the Harrogate Advertiser
It’s said that it takes a village to raise a child, and it takes an equal amount of creative collaboration to create the perfect space to nurture 100 children. Especially when you’ve got 5 playrooms, a studio and a 3,000 sqft outside area to transform!
It’s always a pleasure to work with great people, and on this project we were blessed not only with a great client, but also to team up with renowned Leeds practice Nick Brown Architects, who created an exceptional blueprint for this fantastic space.
Welcome Home…
The finished result is a space that is instantly nurturing, welcoming and calming - a home-from-home environment that sets both child and parent completely at ease from the second they enter the door, and evokes a sense of togetherness and community for little ones and grown ups alike.
The chic reception area really sets the tone for the feel and flow of the whole space.
Painted in gentle, muted pastels, the bespoke, cladded reception desk is lit from above by the soft, warm glow of three stylish pendant lights.
More custom cabinetry in pale wood offers Cub space for display and/ or merchandising.
And, for the ultimate in peace-of-mind for parents, state-of-the-art video door security systems are installed - not just in reception, but throughout the entire site.
“The passion Cub brought to our meeting was infectious and it’s been an absolute pleasure to design such a unique space in our local area.”
DesignTonic’s Amanda Cook speaks to the Harrogate Advertiser
Five Fabulous Playrooms
With the children’s wellbeing always front and centre, every one of the five playrooms is designed to spark tiny imaginations without over-stimulating.
For the ultimate cosy, hygge vibe, a soothing Scandi palette runs throughout, featuring soft, fresh pastels inspired by the colours of nature.
And of course, there’s a massive dose of fun in the mix too!
Painted geometric shapes and bespoke fitted furniture add extra wow factor, as well as revealing some hidden surprises (check out the cute crawl tunnel in the picture above!) that are sure to delight little ones and encourage hours of creative play.
Made-to-measure cabinetry mixes open and closed storage, giving nursery staff plenty of options - both to create display areas ripe for exploration, and to provide safe haven for things they’re keeping out of sight.
In the corners, baskets of books sit next to cotton teepees and soft rugs, making the perfect places to grab some quiet time. Dress up outfits, including gorgeous capes and crowns from local retailer Bluebell Kids, encourage imaginative role play. Cosy sleep rooms provide sanctuary for the littlest Cubs.
And elsewhere, a multitude of cool toys - and equally cool toy storage - are both beautiful and practical, made to withstand the daily mauling, scuffs and scrapes of 100 tiny hands and feet.
As with all DesignTonic interiors, we’ve not forgotten the importance of practicality.
The floor, though soft and soothing in tone and finish, is easy to wipe clean of any of the many things that it’s bound to have spilt on it. Durable paint finishes will combat a thousand sticky handprints. And low level cabinetry is finished in timber, not paint, for extra durability.
Go Outdoors
Outside activity is a key pillar of the Cub curriculum.
Children gain enormous benefit from outdoor play - it builds their confidence, hones their communication skills, boosts their development and helps them grow into strong, healthy and resilient little people.
In fact, one of the key attractions of this site was the fantastic, 3,000 sq ft outdoor space - all it needed was the DesignTonic touch!
Safe, private and full of joyous play choices, the playground and outdoor terrace are just perfect for kids to burn off their excess energy.
What’s our favourite bit?
We have no doubt that the play road, complete with its own roundabout, will be the site of hours of fun - and likely some crashes! That’s why its soft cork finish was chosen; being as gentle on little knees, elbows and palms as it is on the environment.
The Perfect Space to Play all Day
With every element carefully curated to encourage curiosity, creativity and communication, this is the perfect space to support Cub’s play-led learning ethos, and help them develop the self-confidence and independence of the children they care for.
The whole team is incredibly proud of how it’s turned out. Basically, we love it! And we’re sure the children will love it too.
