Nursery owner in Scotland secures more childcare opportunities following a £1.2m refinance package with Unity Trust Bank

A mum-of-three who opened her first nursery 15 years ago now provides more than 200 places across three businesses.

Entrepreneur Angela McDonald, Director and Founder of Jigsaw Childcare, renovated a property her and her husband owned in Edinburgh in 2008 and turned it into her first nursery.

Since then Angela has added nurseries in Alexandria and Dumbarton to her portfolio and has grown her workforce to around 100 staff.

Angela said: “In 2022 I was looking to refinance and Unity Trust Bank was recommended to me.

“When I realised Scott Hutchinson would be my relationship manager everything slotted into place because I’d worked with Scott before at a previous bank. He knows the sector well and is so supportive.

“I feel comfortable with Unity and I like their ethos.”

Impact

As well as developing her existing nurseries Angela plans to grow Jigsaw Childcare further.

Her nurseries are in areas with new housing developments and the demand for good quality childcare is growing.

Her nurseries provide a ‘home from home’ experience where essential items such as food and nappies are provided so that busy parents don’t have to worry about packing provisions.

Angela said: “I’m passionate about providing good quality childcare and I’m also passionate about creating jobs in the local community.

“A lot of my staff have been with me now for over 14 years. I like to promote from within our nurseries because I think career progression is very important.

“I also like to bring new trainees on board and help develop them. When I first started, I had no experience in nurseries and had to employ a manager. But, I have learned a lot over the years.”