FILKINS NURSERY ONE OF TOP TEN IN UK
News release
14th May 2012
Youngsters at The Old Station Nursery in Filkins are getting top-notch care according to the National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA), which has named the setting as a top ten finalist in its Nursery of the Year Awards.
The award recognises the contribution good quality nurseries make to the lives of children and parents.
The nursery had to impress judges from the NDNA when they visited the setting several weeks ago, and this week staff found out they have made it through as one of the top ten finalists.
Five regional winners and one overall winner will be announced at the NDNA essential nursery conference in Birmingham on 21st June.
Louise Jenkins, Nursery Manager at the Filkins setting on the border between Gloucestershire and Oxfordshire, said: “We are delighted to have made it to this stage. A judge from the NDNA came to spend a morning with us and to talk to parents, staff and children before we were chosen; she wanted to see the nursery from parents’ point of view.
“This nomination meant so much to us as it was judged solely on parental opinion; out of our 45 registered children, we were delighted to receive 41 nominations for the award.
Everyone here has a passion for working with children and helping them to develop into confident and happy individuals.
“The NDNA received more than 5,500 nominations from parents across the UK, so for us to be one of the top ten nurseries nationwide after they had whittled the entries down is testament to the work we do.”
The Filkins nursery is no stranger to awards. Louise, who has been manager of The Old Station Nursery in Filkins for four years, scooped the Business Person of the Year 2012 at Fairford and Lechlade Business Club in January while nursery worker Lynda Bon was named runner up Nursery Practitioner of the Year in the 2011 NDNA awards.
Managing Director of The Old Station Nursery Sarah Steel said: “The Filkins setting has blossomed under Louise’s management and all the staff - and the children who pass through our doors - are a credit to her work. It comes as no surprise to me that such as well run nursery as Filkins has made it through to the top ten finalists. I am very proud of all the staff there.”
Each of the five regional winners for the NDNA award will receive £400 of vouchers from sponsors Hope Education to spend on nursery equipment, and the overall winner will be handed an additional £1,000 worth of Hope Education vouchers.
Purnima Tanuku OBE, Chief Executive of the NDNA, said: “As usual there has been a fantastic response to the awards and we have received a record number of nominations from parents.
“It is great to read the nominations and see how nurseries make a real difference to the lives of parents and children; it reflects the how many high-quality day nurseries there are in the UK. All the shortlisted nurseries and practitioners are of an extremely high standard so choosing overall winners will be a real challenge.”
Ends
Notes to editors:
- The NDNA Nursery Awards, supported by Hope Education and Citation plc, aim to recognise quality and excellence in early years settings. The awards are voted for by parents and recognise the impact high-quality childcare has on the lives of families.
- The National Day Nurseries Association is a national charity representing children’s nurseries across the UK, giving them information, training and support so they can provide the best possible care to young children. NDNA is the voice of the sector, an integral part of the lives of nearly one million children and their families.
- Visit www.theoldstationnursery.co.uk for more on the company.
Cerri Delaney
Shooting Star PR
01522 528540
cerri@shootingstar-pr.co.uk
www.shootingstar-pr.co.uk
t: @cerridelaney
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