CHILDREN, families and staff joined together to mark “the end of an era” for their beloved nursery building in Alexandria as plans to move some of the children to a new location get underway.

Ferryfield Early Learning and Child Care Centre will see their three- to five-year-olds attend nursery at St Mary’s Primary School from April 18.

The whole nursery gathered together in bright sunshine for the final time on March 29 to say a fond farewell to the Ferry Loan building as the older children move on.

A refurbishment is now on the cards for the original building, where the youngest children will still attend.

But saying goodbye to half of the staff and youngsters as they move over to St Mary’s was still emotional for an establishment that has been a part of the Vale community since the Second World War.

Jane Forey, head of the centre, said: “Some of the staff have been here 16 years. It’s the end of an era for some families.”

“The nursery was built to help mothers returning from the ammunitions factories.

“We’re losing our three to five-year-olds, but we have a really good relationship with St Mary’s.

“I put a note on the notice board today of a quote that says, ‘Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened’ – I think that sums it up, really.

“It’s the families that make it, and to be part of their lives, their families and their children growing up.”

An Easter egg hunt in the garden featured on the last day, before parents, grandparents and guardians arrived to watch the children’s Easter parade, giving them the chance to show off their Easter bonnets.

One of the mums, who has two children who have attended Ferryfield, said: “We are glad the staff are going with the children, they will make it fun.

“The girls at the nursery are positive about it. I think they’ll make it a good move for the kids.”

And Christine Ann Gallacher, lead ELCC officer for St Mary’s ELCC nursery class, added: “We are so excited about moving on to our new destination and starting our new journey.

“The new resources for the nursery have arrived and we will be setting up from Monday, April 16 for opening on April 18.

“We’re sad about saying cheerio, however, today has been a fantastic day to say farewell.”

The nursery staff have plans for a big opening day for their new home at St Mary’s on April 18 to mark their new beginning.