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Hands up Outstanding

Staff and children at Bexton Pre-School Nursery in Knutsford, Cheshire, were delighted to be awarded an Outstanding grade by Ofsted. Inspectors commented on the nursery's welcoming and stimulating environment and the ability of staff to work well with parents and other professionals.

A Hero at No.10

Helen Hicks, manager of Boomerang Kids Nursery in Brighton was invited to Number 10 Downing Street to meet Gordon Brown last month after being nominated by local residents as a community hero.Ms Hicks started the nursery from scratch in 2005 with the help of lottery funding, renovating an old barn.

Book Lovers All

World Book Day on 4 March was a resounding success for early years settings everywhere. Children from Little Acorns in Boston, Lincolnshire, Places for Children in South Oxhey, Hertfordshire, Sunflower Nursery in Cambridge, Buffer Bear at Heathrow, Dragons Nursery in Southwold, Suffolk, and Clifton Tots in Bristol all dressed as their favourite book characters for the day.

Green Fingers

Children at Sparklers Nursery in Castle Douglas, Dumfries and Galloway went on a visit to their local garden centre to buy seeds to plant in the nursery's outdoor area. Development of the nursery garden had to be put on hold because of this winter's ice and snow, but now the weather is better the children are eager to water the seeds and watch them grow.

Coneheads

Children from Sunbeams Day Nursery in Harrogate found out about both the fun side and the serious side of traffic cones when Chris Madeley, author of storybook collection The Cones, paid them a visit. Ms Madeley talked to the children about road safety before reading them one of her books.

Quality Award

Croft Pre-School in Market Weighton, East Yorkshire, has been awarded the Pre-School Learning Alliance national accreditation certificate in recognition of its excellent quality of provision. The Mayor of Market Weighton and Councillor Pete Hemmerman presented the certificate to the nursery, and Hull City footballer Tom Cairney came along to sign autographs for children and their families.

EVENTS

Vegetarian Option

Young children are urged to mark National Vegetarian Week 2010 and put their creative skills to the test by designing a poster.

The competition, organised by the Vegetarian Society, is open to children under 12 years old. National Vegetarian Week, sponsored by Cauldron Foods, is now in its 18th year. It aims to give schools, restaurants and libraries as well as the general public a reason to promote increasing fruit and vegetable consumption,with more vegetarian options made available.

- For a free school resource pack and more information, visit www.nationalvegetarianweek.org.

PHOTO OF THE WEEK

Local Farmer Carruth brought some newborn lambs to Abbey Houston Children's Nursery in Renfrewshire. Acting manager Pauline Dolan said, 'The visit was perfect timing, as the children are looking at spring, and they asked lots of questions. One child was pleased to know that one of the lambs was also called Darcie and would have happily taken it home.'

- Do you have a story to tell? Share it with us at news.nw@haymarket.com.

- The best photo of the week will win £30 worth of children's books.