Sunflower Lodge Childcare Website
Beautiful across all devices and the CMS put their staff in full control of their content
Case Study: Sunflower Lodge Childcare Revamps Online Presence with New Website by PSP
Client Overview
Sunflower Lodge Childcare, located in Spalding, opened its doors in April 2010 after outgrowing the owners’ previous child-minding setup. The nursery has grown rapidly, now offering care for children ranging from babies to pre-schoolers, as well as wraparound services for school-aged children, including drop-off, pick-up, and afterschool clubs. With a reputation for excellence and a committed team, Sunflower Lodge needed a digital presence that better reflected their evolving brand and comprehensive childcare services. They turned to PSP to design and develop a fully responsive, modern website to replace their existing one, which was nearly seven years old and no longer aligned with their brand or service offerings.
Challenge
The primary goal was to create a fresh, mobile-responsive website that could be easily managed by Sunflower Lodge staff without the need for external support. The old site was outdated, lacked responsive design, and did not offer the flexibility required to update content quickly. Sunflower Lodge needed a solution that included a robust Content Management System (CMS), a secure area for sensitive content, and integration with their social media channels. Moreover, given the sensitive nature of working with content related to children, the project demanded strict attention to privacy and security, ensuring that identifiable information was either protected behind secure registration gates or omitted entirely from public view.
Solution
PSP began the project by producing a comprehensive functional specification document, outlining the technical and design requirements for the new Sunflower Lodge website. This document defined the tables, fields, pages, workflows, and logic required to deliver a fully functional, user-friendly platform. After a thorough review and approval from Sunflower Lodge, PSP moved forward with the development phase.
The new website was built on the Umbraco CMS platform, chosen for its flexibility and user-friendly interface. The site was designed to be fully responsive, ensuring compatibility across a range of devices, including Apple, Android, and Windows-based systems. This design approach provided a seamless experience for parents and staff whether accessing the site from a desktop, tablet, or smartphone.
The implementation of Umbraco CMS empowered Sunflower Lodge to manage their own content without relying on third parties. Staff members can easily create, update, and delete pages using a secure backend interface, maintaining complete control over the site’s content. The CMS’s user management feature allows Sunflower Lodge to assign permissions, ensuring that only authorised users can publish sensitive information. A password-protected area was developed for content that needed to be shared securely, with a registration gateway to control access and ensure that sensitive details remain confidential.
Beyond the technical development, PSP’s commitment to quality was reflected in the delivery of detailed test plans and user guides to support training and smooth implementation. This ensured that Sunflower Lodge’s staff felt confident using the new system from day one, maximising the platform’s value and usability.
Results
The new website provided Sunflower Lodge Childcare with a vibrant, modern online presence that truly reflects their brand and service offering. The responsive design improved accessibility for parents and staff across all devices, making it easier for users to navigate and find relevant information. The secure, password-protected area ensured that sensitive content could be shared safely, meeting privacy requirements and providing peace of mind.
The inclusion of Umbraco CMS gave Sunflower Lodge the autonomy to manage their own site, allowing them to make updates swiftly and independently. The SEO enhancements built into the site’s structure have already led to increased traffic, helping Sunflower Lodge reach a wider audience and better promote their childcare services. The integration of social media links has further boosted engagement, allowing parents to stay connected and informed.
Conclusion
PSP’s development of a new, responsive website for Sunflower Lodge Childcare successfully revitalised their digital presence, providing a fresh look and enhanced functionality. The implementation of Umbraco CMS empowered Sunflower Lodge to manage content independently, while the inclusion of a secure, password-protected area ensured sensitive information could be shared safely. This project exemplifies PSP’s ability to deliver customised digital solutions that meet complex requirements, supporting Sunflower Lodge in their mission to provide high-quality childcare and family support. With a modern, flexible platform in place, Sunflower Lodge is now equipped to engage more effectively with parents and showcase their comprehensive range of services.
“The whole experience of working with PSP has been excellent. We were impressed with how much time they took getting to know our team and finding the true essence of what we wanted to achieve with our website. The staff at PSP have been so supportive from the concept to the new design through to showing us how to use it. We loved every minute of working with them and especially knowing they are just at the end of the phone for any questions we have. We have had great feedback and engagement from the parents with the new log-in area. We really are delighted with our website. ”
