A local nursery has been crowned Nursery of the Year thanks to its ‘visionary work’, as described by a chief judge at a national awards ceremony for nurseries.

The Nursery World Awards, held on 22 September, put Ealing at the forefront of children’s education – with three nurseries winning awards and others receiving high commendation and making it to the finals.

Greenfields Nursery School and Children’s Centre, in Southall, was the stand-out achiever, winning Nursery of the Year and the Early Years in School awards.

“The children, parents, staff and community of Greenfields are very proud and honoured to receive these awards which celebrate creativity, value childhood and recognise the difference that nursery schools make to the lives of young children,” said Ellie Larkin, head teacher at Greenfields Nursery School & Children’s Centre.

Grove House Nursery School and Children’s Centre (also in Southall), was a finalist for the Nursery of the Year award and was also highly commended for the Early Years in School category

Joining Greenfields on the winners list was Hungry Caterpillar at Acton Park Children’s Centre, in the Online and Social Media category; and South Acton Nursery School and Children’s Centre, which picked up the Team Development award.

South Acton was a finalist for two further awards: In the Working with Parents category; and Nursery Practitioner of the Year, for staff member Chevone Newman.

Meanwhile, Sasha Northam from Hungry Caterpillar was a finalist in the Nursery Manager of the Year category.

Greenfields  Nursery ‘is seen as a beacon’

“The work at Greenfields has been described as visionary, and is seen as a beacon in a very needy area,” said Wendy Scott, chief judge of the Nursery World Awards.

Greenfields is well known for its work with resident artists, where children are challenged to think outside the box.

“The high levels of aesthetic awareness through the ambitious art work achieved by the children have received widespread acknowledgement and appreciation, and music too is strongly supported within the very rich, responsive curriculum,” said Wendy Scott.

Yvonne Councillor Johnson, cabinet member for schools and children’s services, said: “Congratulations to the nurseries who have made the borough proud and highlighted the importance of pushing the boundaries with children’s education. Greenfields have raised the bar this year along with the other nurseries.”

Ealing awards list:

• Greenfields Nursery School and Children Centre (Southall) – Nursery of the Year (winner) & Early Years in School Award (winner)
• Grove House Nursery School and Children Centre (Southall) – Nursery of the Year (finalist) & Early Years in School Award (highly commended)
• South Acton Nursery School and Children Centre – Team Development (winner) & Chevone Newman, Nursery Practitioner of the Year (finalist) & Working with Parents Award, Outreach Groups (finalist)
• Hungry Caterpillar, Acton Park Children Centre – Online and Social Media Award (winner) & Nursery Manager of the Year – Sasha Northam (finalist)

Visit www.nurseryworld.co.uk to see a complete list of award winners from across the UK.