A DAY nursery in York has scooped a prestigious national award.

Little Bugs Childcare, for children up to five-years-old, has won the Early Years Healthy Futures Nursery Award 2018 at the BALPPA Excellence Awards.

The accolade recognises the role nurseries play in creating pathways to a healthy lifestyle for children through healthy eating, physical indoor and outdoor activity and reinforcing healthy messages. It also recognises nurseries who embrace the importance of supporting not only their children but their families to embrace a healthier life.

Judges considered a range of different criteria including evidence of industry standards and best practice, improved outcomes for children at Little Bugs Childcare and testimonials from parents who have benefitted from the nursery’s approach to promoting healthy lifestyles.

Jane Mann, manager of the Wigginton Road nursery, said: "We’re so proud to have been recognised nationally with this award, which is a tribute to all the childcare practitioners and the chef at the nursery. We have a hands-on approach to healthy living with the children, which is key to the child’s development and which also helps establish lifelong habits for them to take with them into their future."

Little Bugs Childcare is a Forest School with active indoor areas and its own outdoor facilities which include a dipping pond and orchard. In addition, the nursery enjoys exclusive use of the Web Adventure Park facilities first thing in the morning, with access to play frames, rides and other activities during the day. A Little Bugs chef produces a healthy, seasonal menu for the children and helps encourage healthy eating and healthy choices.