AN entrepreneur who set up a nursery when she was looking for suitable childcare for her own children 13 years ago has expanded her company to open a second centre.

Deborah Troup is opening a second branch of Little Treasures to meet the growing demand for places.

Ms Troup, whose daughter, Sarah, works alongside her as deputy manager, already employs 11 nursery nurses and early years practitioners and has more than 55 children registered at her Washington nursery.

A further six employees have joined the team to open the second branch, in Sunderland’s John Street.

The nursery will cater for up to 15 children, and offers activities such as learning sign language, basic French and a daily yoga session.

Ms Troup said: “I have always wanted to provide the secure, stimulating and loving nursery environment that I was seeking for my own children. I had the necessary qualifications and experience, so I decided to start my own business and have never regretted it.

“We pride ourselves on the supportive relationships established between children, staff and parents.

“A lot of our children stay in touch – in fact we have someone on work experience with us now who was a toddler in our nursery.”