AN URMSTON mother is set to follow her passion for childcare by opening up a new day nursery, wites Tom Dyson.

Jill Mackey, 35, packed in her successful career as a pharmacist to launch the new venture which is set to open on March 17.

Bloom Day Nursery, in Old Trafford, will become the focal point for the 90 babies, toddlers and pre-schoolers that they hope to accommodate, with 10 members of staff already hired.

Mrs Mackey said: “Starting up this day nursery just felt right for me. Childcare is my future career and since having a family of my own, everything has fallen into place.”

The former pharmacist started searching for the ideal place to house the nursery and 12 months ago she found her dream building – two Victorian houses with 7,000 sq ft floor area and just five minutes outside the city centre, but she admits that finding the property was a difficult task.

“It was difficult finding the premises for this nursery. There were lots of issues we had to take into consideration. We knew there had to be plenty of space and it was very important that there were good parking facilities.”

As soon as planning permission was granted, the past six months has seen the building completely gutted, refurbished and transformed, with Mrs Mackey’s husband getting involved in the renovation work.

Mrs Mackey added: “It’s been an absolute whirlwind but I’ve loved every minute of it. I know I could never go back to checking prescriptions in my white coat again."