Early years consultant and competition judge Wendy Scott said the nursery was 'truly inspiring'.
The nursery is in converted farm buildings set among orchards. It was set up in 1995 by Susan Moss-Thomas and Anita Huckle. Ms Moss-Thomas said, 'I didn't tell anyone we had been shortlisted, as I thought it was such a long shot. We are a small nursery in the middle of nowhere. To win such a great accolade is just marvellous.'
She believes valuing staff is the key to success. 'We haven't lost any staff for two years. Our staff feel highly valued and that comes across to children and makes them happy.'
Runners-up were Oakfield Nursery School, Altrincham, Cheshire, in second place and Lexden Lodge Kindergarten, also in Colchester, was third.
* For the full story see our feature on the winners in next week's issue.
