STAFF and children of Westchester House Nursery in Farnham are celebrating after being shortlisted for the National Day Nurseries Association’s Nursery of the Year award.

If the nursery scoops this award, it could go on to win the UK title of NDNA Nursery of the Year at the NDNA Nursery Awards on July 1. Scores of parents wrote glowing testimonies to help Westchester House become a finalist.

Nursery manager Fiona Higgons said: “We are delighted to be singled out for this award and are really proud that our parents have voted for us in such numbers. This is a great boost for the staff and children here.”

Some of the parents’ comments ranged from ‘the staff know each and every child across the whole nursery and I know my child is well cared for, Westchester House is such a nurturing and loving nursery’ to ‘I’m always amazed by how much they learn while they are at nursery’, and ‘we were impressed by the quality of the facilities and the purpose-built building, as well as the friendly staff at Westchester House’.

Children’s TV presenter Dave Benson Philips will be announcing the winners at a glittering awards ceremony at the DoubleTree Hilton Hotel in Milton Keynes on July 1. The NDNA’s annual conference is held at the same venue during the day.

NDNA chief executive, Purnima Tanuku OBE, said: “This is a fantastic achievement. Congratulations to Westchester House which is a great example of the amazing, inspirational work happening in the childcare sector every day.

“Our nursery awards are particularly special as they are the only ones that are voted for by parents.”

The awards, supported by Hope Education, are in their 12th year. More than 150 nurseries registered and just under 7,000 parents’ votes were cast.

For more information about Westchester House Nursery call contact Fiona Higgons or Lesley Hurst on 01252 734111.