A POPULAR Bolton nursery is a family-run business spanning three generations.

The Elms Private Nursery School has just celebrated 21 years in business with a party for staff and former pupils, some of whom are about to go to university.

Dorothy and Brian Wrigley set up the nursery in 1990 and their daughter, Joanne Haworth, eventually bought it from them and her daughter, Daniella Rostron, now works for the family firm.

More than 100 pupils, parents, staff and former staff attended special celebrations at the nursery in Blackburn Road, Bolton.

Mr and Mrs Wrigley started the nursery after they converted the downstairs of their Victorian house and the property next door which they bought, into a nursery while they moved into a flat above.

Mrs Wrigley said: “At that time, there were only 11 other private early years settings in Bolton and I felt I was about to jump out of the frying pan into the fire.

“I was the headteacher of a local primary school at the time and was not sure what the future held as the private sector was not always looked upon favourably at that time.

“The Children’s Act was only just being written and implemented and social services were responsible for registering and monitoring settings.

“How things have changed over the years as there are now more than 90 settings in Bolton including several children’s centres, and nurseries are now inspected by Ofsted.

“It has been very much a family affair with our daughter, Joanne, joining the nursery staff in 1991 just after her first daughter was born.

“After 17 very happy years, Brian and I decided to retire in 2007, though I still help out when asked by Joanne, who now owns the nursery.

“She has now been joined by her daughter Daniella, who holds an early years qualification and is currently working towards a level-three qualification in childcare and education, and at the moment she is enjoying working with the youngest children.”

Mrs Howorth started working at her parents’ nursery in 1991 taking it over in 2007 with her husband Andy, who is site manager.

She said: “My own daughters attended the nursery and I have enjoyed working here.

“I now mainly work in the office but occasionally I am with the children playing games and I see why I love doing the job.”

She decided to take over the nursery from her parents “to keep it in the family”.

She added: “Perhaps my daughter will eventually want to do the same.”

There are 56 children aged six months to five years registered at the nursery with 18 full and part-time staff.