by Jan Thom

Teenagers facing a disrupted education through unplanned pregnancies can look forward to a positive future thanks to a ground-breaking in-school nursery facility.

Young mum Emily Bean, 19, is the first to benefit from the scheme to get girls, and often their partners, back into full-time education.

Emily has an 11-month-old son Harvey and can now look forward to a career in dance.

Harvey is being looked after in Baby Moonbeams Nursery, yards from her classroom at Sittingbourne Community College.

The college has teamed up with Vicky Martin, owner of her privately-run

Faversham nursery Little Moonbeams, to open the facility, which is also being used by teaching staff with babies.

College head teacher Alan Barham said: “This is a great opportunity for young parents to get back into education without having to worry about the cost of child care.

“Knowing that their children are in a safe and happy environment will allow them to settle into education more comfortably, and with many parents also qualifying for assistance towards travel expenses, there is nothing standing in the way of young parents getting the qualifications they deserve.”

Baby Moonbeams was the brainchild of college deputy head teacher, Ann Saunders, and Mrs Martin was approached to set up the nursery.

A growing number of teenage parents has seen more young people falling into the trap of becoming reliant on benefits.

The advent of Baby Moonbeams means studies can be resumed and qualifications gained, giving mums – and dads – a chance to compete successfully in the jobs’ market.

Funding for a complete childcare package, including nappies, milk and baby wipes, comes from a government scheme.

For more, see this week's Sittingbourne Messenger.