Teamwork earns nursery top title

Apr 18 2008 by Jo Henwood, Chester Chronicle

Teamwork earns nursery top title

A SPECIAL place for children has gained a top award.

The five acres of land surrounding Ashton House Nursery, which has been transformed into an exciting and stimulating environment for children, has won the award from Sure-Start.

The nursery won the Special Spaces for Children and Young People category of Cheshire County Council’s Celebrating Achievement Awards.

The award was received by manager Mandy Jourdan at the ceremony held at Portal Golf Club in Tarporley.

The mother-of-two has been working at the nursery for 10 years. Her daughter Eleanor, three, is a pupil at the nursery and son Oliver, 10 attended when he was young.

She said: “I’m delighted to have got this award but it was a real team effort.”

Mandy and her team’s development of the land includes paths for use in all weathers and mounds to encourage children to walk on different surfaces. Trees help develop the children’s imagination, creativity and confidence.

She added: “We used as many natural materials as possible including tyres, crates and drain pipes.

“The children spend a lot of time outdoors every day which allows them to initiate their own imaginative activities in a spacious environment.”