News / Education
Bristol nursery awarded ‘nursery of the year’
A nursery and pre-school in Bristol has been awarded ‘nursery of the year’ at a national awards ceremony.
Archfield House Nursery in Cotham won the award at the Nursery World Awards 2023 on Saturday, following an ‘Outstanding’ Ofsted inspection in April this year.
The private family-run nursery looks after 103 early years, with an emphasis on a play-based curriculum based on practitioner and author Anna Ephgrave’s ‘Planning in the Moment’ approach.
is needed now More than ever
Panellists described Archfield House, which has been operating for 37 years, as a “forward-thinking” nursery where “staff value strong partnerships with parents”.
The nursery was also praised for its “great links with local schools and care homes, the local bus routes and train station, as well as local parks and shops.”
Archfield House Nursery was founded in 1986 by Susan Parslow to support working families in the local area
Staff retention was an important factor for the award. Many of the staff at Archfield House had been there for more than 15 years, and the nursery offers a wellbeing scheme and profit share bonus after two years of service.
Panellists said: “Children’s outcomes are enhanced by working with the skilled dancers, photographers, musicians and linguists among the staff team.
“There is also an artist in residence and a woodwork area, while mindfulness and yoga sessions are offered too.”
The nursery’s manager, Cassie Holland, was recently approached by Bristol City Council to share their good practice, and the nursery welcomes other practitioners and leaders to look around.
Archfield House has run unique Beach School sessions at Severn Beach for over ten years, which they said they hope to offer more of with the newly expanded Severn Beach line.
Speaking about the award, a spokesperson for the nursery said: “We really believe that it is important to cover such a positive story within the Early Years sector in the midst of the current recruitment and retention crisis.
“Early Years settings have been facing and continue to face an incredibly hard time, struggling to recruit, stay open and offer spaces for families.
“We are very proud of the sector for continuing to advocate for the importance of high-quality early years care and education and we hope this award being nominated to a Bristol setting reflects the amazing work that is happening within Bristol Early Years.”
There were 29 different awards up for grabs at the ceremony. Runners up for the best nursery included Essential Early Years in Wirral, Lambkins Day Nursery and the Pre-School Centre in Cumbria, and the Oaks Day Nursery in Birmingham.
All photos: Isobel Edwards
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