Pre-school's surprise as it makes nursery award final

Tiddlywinks - part of the Leyland Methodist School site - is one of six national finalists in the Nursery World Awards.

Proprietor Gillian Conway said it was the first time the pre-school had entered and that making it to the shortlist was a big surprise.

“We’re very surprised and of course delighted. Some of us are going to London for the awards ceremony,” she said.

“I was shocked because there are some fantastic pre-schools and nurseries out there, many we know well.”

Gillian, 60, who lives in the Southport area, said the nursery, which has 19 staff, had been running for 22 years and that she had been there for 19.

She said: “I did teaching qualifications before I came here in 1992 and did a year supply at a school as a reception teacher.”

Nursery World announced on their website: “Our eminent panel of judges from across the early years sector spent a day of debate, discussion and deliberation to decide which of our entries for the Nursery World Awards 2016 should go through to the shortlist.

Our finalists must now wait until the Awards evening on 24 September at the Brewery in London, when the winners will be revealed.

“Well done to all the entrants – there was a very high standard of submissions.”

In the Pre-School of the Year section are: Jack and Jill Pre-School, Brimstage; New View Nursery, Horsham Quackers, York; Shamley Green Montessori Pre-school, Guildford; Swineshead Pre-school Centre, Swineshead; and Tiddlywinks.