Jocelyn Ashton, who set up Building Blocks Childcare in September 2001, is one of 20 finalists in the HSBC Start-Up Stars Awards, which invites applications from innovative UK businesses under two years old.
Ms Ashton said, 'I am honoured, flattered and most proud of my team. It's a real team effort.'
The former primary school teacher and sales director formed the nursery to address the 'overwhelming' demand for childcare services in the area and says that its popularity - 118 children are on the waiting list - is due to it being created with a parent's perspective in mind.
'A lot of nursery nurses become managers and open a nursery from a child's perspective. I've looked at it from a parent's perspective and seen what's important to them. At 4pm I serve the children a proper dinner because the last thing a parent wants to do is cook when they get in. They can then spend quality time together.'
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