An Edinburgh nursery has picked up an award for being the best in Britain. The Cowgate Under 5s centre run by the City of Edinburgh Council, won the Nursery World Awards 2008 at a ceremony in London on Friday last week.
The Nursery World Awards recognise and highlight the best that is being achieved in early years throughout the UK by organisations, teams, individuals and equipment providers.
The Awards were judged by a panel of 18 professionals in early years including the Chief Executive of the Pre-school Learning Alliance and the Early Years national director for national strategies. The Cowgate Under 5s Centre was one of 155 entries and the only Scottish finalist.
The judges were full of praise for the school in their comments: "The centre is a living example of excellence," they said.
"Imaginative use is made of the purpose-designed site, which is thoughtfully resourced and beautifully presented."
And "awareness of ecological issues draws families in to the wide range of recycling undertaken in the nursery."
Lynn McNair,
head teacher of the Cowgate Under 5s Centre, said the award was "a wonderful gift for us all to receive."
"It is evidence of how we celebrate the lives of young children and help them to find their own way in the world. Winning this is something we will always treasure and I would like to thank everyone who has supported us."