Nursery World - Nursery Chains: Award Winners

First Steps Children's Nursery Group, Nursery World's Chain of the Year 2015, has acquired woodland to bring Forest School sessions to its own and other children, writes Catherine Gaunt

We were really amazed to win. It was a complete surprise!’ says Debbi Gould, the owner of First Steps Children’s Nursery Group.

In September, the small family-owned group, started by Debbi and her husband Andy (pictured) with some friends, was named Nursery World’s Nursery Chain of the Year for 2015.

Three of the four First Steps nurseries have outstanding grades, while the latest, converted into a nursery last year, has a good rating.

First Steps Rathvilly School was also shortlisted for Nursery of the Year, and Kate Reed, the group’s operations director, was highly commended in the Nursery Operations/ Regional Manager award category.

Like many fledgling nursery owners before them, Debbi and Andy Gould started the nursery because they needed childcare for their own family, opening their first in 1992 with friends Debbie and Derek Bates. Both Debbi and Debbie were teachers in special education, and both had young children.

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