TWO mums from Winchester are starting a new venture to bring science to toddlers, in an effort to expand the teaching age.

Emily Whyte and Sophie Allnutt were inspired by their chemistry background to start a new business to introduce children to science.

They are concerned that those aged between two and four years would not experience the subject until school age.

Mrs Whyte said: “There are lots of baby classes in Winchester but there are no classes for this age group for science. We think you are never too young to learn and are excited about bringing the world of science to pre-schoolers.

“The council have seen our future potential and have given us a business start up grant to help us get some of the equipment we need. We are hoping that we can eventually franchise these classes nationwide with Winchester as the model.”

The two met at the Eli Lilly pharmaceutical plant in Basingstoke before being made redundant when the plant closed six years ago. Since then they have been busy raising their families. Emily has three children, Alice, aged six, Molly, five and Jess, two, while Sophie also has three; Addie, aged six, Zach, four and Jamie, two. Both their eldest children go to St Peter’s School.

Mrs Whyte added: “We have attended lots of different children's classes over the years and seen how much children love to learn at any age. There is a real gap in the market for something science based in this age group and so far we have received fantastic feedback from parents on our trial lessons.”

Launching after half term, Mini Professors has been awarded £1000 as a start up grant by the council and offers a mix of music, stories, videos, experiments and the fun of dressing up in lab coats.

For more information visit www.miniprofessors.co.uk.