Combining shopping and child care can be a problem, but a business opening with a flourish in the centre of York today may have come up with a solution.

The Huntsman and Snow White welcoming parents and children to Smartypants, York

Smartypants, a state of the art city creche, is celebrating its launch in style with music, balloons, face-painting and games.

Parents are being invited to place their children at the creche at half price, for this weekend only.

The day nursery and creche is located in the city centre at 18 Castlegate, and is being heralded as "a great place to leave children and give parents the chance to escape for a few hours". Jane Barker, a partner in the business, said: "Many parents find it difficult to juggle children with shopping. Smartypants is the perfect solution."

It offers a variety of features and activities, carefully selected to encourage children to interact and have fun safely.

They include mini computers for children, a specially designed soft play zone, and the opportunity to take part in music, art and sign language - all intended to ensure the children will never be bored.

First class child care is provided by fully experienced and security vetted staff.

Smartypants is open at weekends and public holidays, 10am to 5pm on Saturdays and 11am to 4pm on Sundays. Children from the age of three months to eight years are welcome. The day nursery is open on weekdays, with the capacity to accommodate up to 32 children in three different age groups. These include three months to two-year-olds (in the baby room), two to three-year-olds, and three to five-year-olds.

For further details or to request an information pack call 01904 541414.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.