A DROITWICH resident who has run her own nursery for more than 20 years has been recognised for her "excellence" in educating children.

Philippa Fell, manager of the Droitwich Spa Nursery and Kindergarten, was presented with the prestigious Nursery Management Today (NMT) Lifetime Achievement Award for her dedication to working with children aged under five.

However, it was only down to her husband - Nick Fell - who she co-owns the nursery with, that she even decided to enter.

"I thought I had got no hope, I had written it off," laughed Mrs Fell, who has worked with children for more than 40 years, first as a nurse and then teacher.

But at a glitzy London awards ceremony presented by Radio One DJ Scott Mills she scooped the accolade, along with the Best Outdoor Learning Environment Award for her nursery.

The 61-year-old said: "It was like the Oscars. I had an amazing night.

"I am absolutely over the moon and thrilled for the team because they have worked so hard to change our outdoor area into something magical."

The nursery, which employs 30 staff including aspiring teachers who are studying for their NVQ in early years education, offers a host of outdoor learning facilities.

The 106 youngsters who go to the nursery can play and learn in three outdoor classrooms, a four-acre forest school set in the grounds of the neighbouring Dorset House residential home, fairy garden, mud kitchen, dinosaur area, childrens' maze, allotment and pond area.

Mrs Fell, who has lived in Droitwich for 30 years, said: "It is a team effort. My staff are highly qualified, seriously dedicated to providing in our setting, the best. It is not about indoor learning any more, it is about the outdoor experience. What ever topic we are doing inside, we also take outside.

"Our children are just magical."

Mrs Fell began her career as a paediatric nurse and continued to work in general nursing, midwifery, neo-natal and special care units before graduating to ward sister at the Special Care Baby Unit at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham.

From there she became a health visitor in Droitwich, working with new parents in the town.

She said: "In Droitwich a lot of parents wanted a good quality nursery, so we built up from being a small business to a really big business."

A statement from the NMT awards team said: "The judges chose Philippa Fell because she has provided true excellence in educating young children. She has sought ways to give something back to the local community.

"One of her customers described her nursery as a magical place one would never want to leave."

NMT is a magazine dedicated to providing the nursery industry with information and articles about the sector.

Visit dsnk.co.uk for more information about the nursery.