A NURSERY which has been admired for welcoming children with complex needs has been nominated for the Early Years Education Award.

Northleigh Ascension Nursery, in Ascension Church Hall, Malvern has been nominated for the first time for a Worcestershire Education Award.

The manager, Hayley Ward, who has been working at the nursery for 14 years, said: “I am overwhelmed - we have never been nominated before. It is lovely to be recognised.”

Mrs Ward, aged 42, added: “We are keen to be an inclusive practice and we want to provide for all children who have additional or physical needs. It is all about giving everyone an equal opportunity.

“We ensure all the activities the children get involved in are suitable and adapted for everyone’s needs.”

The nursery welcomes agencies such as physiotherapies, as well as health and behaviour specialists to visit.

Mrs Ward said: “They’re the specialists so we welcome them in to allow us to do the best possible job for the children. Our main aim is solely to provide an environment for the children to be happy and safe.”

There are currently two children at the nursery with complex needs and three with additional speech and language support.

Claire Manford, a specialist teacher who nominated Northleigh Ascension Nursery, said: “The nursery provides excellent inclusive practice for children with a range of complex educational needs.

“They have accepted and embraced pupils with complex special educational needs, going above and beyond what they needed to do.

“They have paid for all staff to receive extra training to meet the needs and they have bought extra resources. Staff have thought outside the box to ensure everyone is included.”

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