Owner Anna Maclean bought the Cranley Nursery, previously located on the site of a former independent girls' school, in 2000 with the aim of creating a stimulating, safe and fun 'home-from-home' environment, where children could develop at their own pace through structured play and interactive learning.
Now a group of three nurseries all within three miles of each other in Edinburgh - Colinton, Craiglockhart and Buckstone - Cranley's ethos is to 'instil a family spirit'. Parents are encouraged to feel an integral part of nursery life and to be fully involved in their children's learning. Such is the group's commitment to involving parents that managers are set annual targets for parental involvement.
The nursery group provides care for the children of 200 parents, but it is still possible for the owner or nursery manager to know most of them personally.
There is a strong emphasis on communicating with parents via different media. Digital photo frames are placed outside each room, with photographs downloaded daily. The group is developing its website further with plans for a parents' forum.
Kirsteen Laing, whose three-year-old daughter has attended Cranley's Buckstone nursery since she was nine months old, says, 'Every time Iona has moved to a new room I have been amazed at the pace of her development. The staff all genuinely care for the well-being and happiness of the children.'
HMIE inspectors commented that staff morale is high. This is borne out by the low staff turnover among senior staff, with managers in post for between five and 11 years.
At a recent HMIE inspection, the entire staff from management down each contributed to a presentation, leading the inspector to praise the nursery for 'hard-working staff and the vision of continuous improvement'.
Lesley McDowall, quality improvement officer for Edinburgh City Council, comments, 'The management team shows a strong commitment to the continuous improvement of the centres through in-house and external training.'
The business generates a turnover of more than £1m and there are plans for a fourth nursery.
Judges concluded, 'An excellent entry, showing how standardisation of quality is achieved across a group.'
HIGHLY COMMENDED
Mon Ami Children's Day Nurseries
A group of three 'outstanding' nurseries in Lincolnshire, Mon Ami was set up by Samantha Lunnemann and Jarrod Britton nine years ago, when the couple were unable to find childcare for their own child. The nurseries offer creche facilities and are part of the pilot scheme for the free entitlement for two-year-olds. The nurseries in Swineshead, Alford and Boston also work closely with local children's centres.
FINALISTS
Christopher Robin Day Nurseries, five nurseries and one children's centre in Surrey
Dizzy Ducks Day Nurseries, four nurseries in Essex
Toybox Day Nurseries, three nurseries in Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire
Criterion: Open to UK nursery groups with three or more settings.
Sponsored by early years from the Consortium.
