Nursery World Awards 2010: Organisations - Nursery of the Year

The 'vision and energy' of nursery owner and manager Marie Walker led judges to declare Little Learners the clear winner. Her vision is shared by the well-qualified staff team who are passionate about their work. Judges commented, 'They have established an inspiring and aesthetically pleasing learning environment. The adults' imagination and creativity foster these qualities in the children, who have genuine choices and real responsibilities. Their individual preoccupations are welcomed, celebrated and extended sensitively from the start.'

Staff are guided by their insightful observations of the children's interests. The youngest children were found to have exceptionally well-supported opportunities for exploration and expression in an engaging, beautiful and well cared-for environment. The innovative provision includes the use of crockery and real food in the role play areas, the opportunity to cook on a fire pit in the garden and the building of a small house using various authentic techniques. This leads to a high level of imaginative play and deep learning across all areas of the curriculum, indoors and out. The older children also have the opportunity to spend whole days at a unique beach school, established along the lines of forest schools.