Nursery World - People and places (9)

* Child Base, the UK's ninth largest nursery chain, has raised more than 37,000 for children's charity When You Wish Upon a Star, which helps children with terminal illnesses. Children and staff from all 32 Child Base nurseries held fundraising events throughout the year, including fetes, pyjama days and 'bad hair days'. * Congratulations were in order for six staff from Childcare Scotland who received their SVQs in Early Years Care and Education at a special graduation ceremony in November: Suzanne Jones, Natasha McNicol, Caroline McKeirnan and Lisa Hood (all level 4), Allyson Wilson (level 3) and Maxine Donnachie (level 2).

* Child Base, the UK's ninth largest nursery chain, has raised more than Pounds 37,000 for children's charity When You Wish Upon a Star, which helps children with terminal illnesses. Children and staff from all 32 Child Base nurseries held fundraising events throughout the year, including fetes, pyjama days and 'bad hair days'.

* Congratulations were in order for six staff from Childcare Scotland who received their SVQs in Early Years Care and Education at a special graduation ceremony in November: Suzanne Jones, Natasha McNicol, Caroline McKeirnan and Lisa Hood (all level 4), Allyson Wilson (level 3) and Maxine Donnachie (level 2).

* A 'united festivals' celebration was held by Early Start North Canning Town in the London Borough of Newham on 16 November. The event at Plaistow Library, which aimed to broaden children's understanding of different cultures, was a joint celebration of Eid, Diwali, Hanukkah and Christmas.

* Two nurseries owned by the Tops Day Nurseries chain have received the Quality Counts accreditation from the National Day Nurseries Association.

The settings, based at the Royal Bournemouth Hospital and in Wimbourne, both received a level 2 accreditation.

* Playaway Day Nursery in Barking, London, has also been recognised under the Quality Counts scheme. It is the first nursery in the borough to gain such accreditation.

* A new way to interest students in working in childcare came to Francis Combe School and Community College in Watford, Hertfordshire, on 23 November, when drama company Purple Monster performed a play about the benefits of a career in childcare. More than 100 students aged between 15 and 17 attended the session.

* The Trojans Scheme, an educational and training charity based in south London, has received a 10,000 Healthy Heart Grant from Heart Research UK to employ a part-time sports co-ordinator. They will forge links with local sporting organisations and community groups to get more volunteers involved in after-school clubs.

* Highland and Moray Accredited Training Services (HiMATS) has won a silver award in the Highlands and Islands Enterprise category at the annual Scottish Qualifications Authority Awards. HiMATS delivers a range of SVQ qualifications to early years and childcare workers living in the Scottish Highlands.