The future is looking increasingly rosy for an important childcare facility in Badenoch, following a community buy-out by a group of local mums.

The 'Strathy Bairns' nursery in Kingussie is now officially up and running, providing a vital service to working families throughout the area.

The nursery, formerly known as 'Stepping Stones', used to be privately run, however with the original owner selling up there was a danger that it might close. This prompted some of the parents involved to get together, form their own community company and take over the running of the nursery.

The move, at a cost of £90,000 has been supported by £36,000 from Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE)'s Community Land Unit and £24,000 from The Highland Council. The balance of £30,000 is being financed by the nursery company themselves. The project was brokered through Moray Badenoch and Strathspey Enterprise's special projects office in Aviemore, and is a good example of how that initiative assists developments throughout the strath.

Strathy Bairns is the only place providing all day formal childcare across a wide area, ranging from Dalwhinnie to Kincraig, and Laggan to Insh. At the moment it is used regularly by the parents of 24 children, who might have to give up work to look after their children if this service was not available.

Chairman of the new Strathy Bairns board of directors is Jayne Landau, she said the company's main objective was to maintain and improve a valuable service for the local community: "This nursery is now being run by mums for mums, and people can be confident that their children will receive first class care and attention. Many people have moved into this area and don't have the benefit of an extended family to look after their children. Without the nursery here they might have to stop work, and this could have quite a serious effect, not only on themselves, but on the companies they work for.

"One of our key strengths is our ability to be flexible, to fit in with the working hours of local people. We are also very keen to develop the services we offer. Because we are in a fairly rural area people often say they would like to leave their children here, but have no means of transport. We are looking into the possibility of running a minibus service, which might allow more people to enjoy the benefits of convenient childcare."

Strathy Bairns is also an accredited training facility, allowing people to work towards Scottish Vocational Qualifications (SVQ's). At the moment they have one qualified member of staff, with two others working towards an SVQ Level III in childcare and education.

HIE's director of strengthening communities, Stuart Black said: "This is a good example of the range of work being carried out by the Community Land Unit. Helping local communities doesn't have to be about buying forests and crofting estates - a project like the Strathy Bairns nursery has clear and substantial benefits for people across a wide area."

Councillor Bob Severn, The Highland Council's social work portfolio holder for Badenoch and Strathspey, said: "This has been an excellent partnership project involving HIE, the Council and local people. It was very important that the nursery remained available to the people of Badenoch, not only for the childcare it provides but also for the opportunity it gives parents to pursue employment. All the work that has gone to achieve this aim has strengthened the relationships all round. We in the Council will continue to help the company in order to ensure that the people of Badenoch have first class childcare facilities available to them. I personally would like to thank all those who have worked so hard to make this community buy-out a success."