A BOURNEMOUTH nursery is seeking approval to expand its intake.

Bears Hideaway Nursery, in Stourwood Avenue, Southbourne, has applied to the council for planning permission to increase numbers from 40 to 45 children a day.

Its application says: "We have many parents enquiring about spaces half way through the year as they are still on maternity when our intake of new children begins in September, and this can include siblings of children we already have at Bears Hideaway."

The nursery says parents seeking to claim extended early education funding and two's two funding are currently on waiting lists.

"As children are born at different times of the year and schools only have one intake we have children wanting to start at different times and not feel pressured into taking a space five to six months before they need to, to ensure themselves a good nursery."

The nursery runs from 8am to 6pm, and last year ended 'half sessions' in a bid to reduce traffic.

It employs 17 staff including apprentices and a cook.