A nursery in Atherton, Greater Manchester, has been shortlisted for a prestigious national award, recognising its creative and inspiring indoor learning environment. Partou Storytimes, located on Leigh Road, is a finalist for the “Nursery Indoor Learning Environment of the Year” category at the 2024 National NMT Nursery Awards.
The nursery, which caters to children aged 0 to 5 years, is renowned for its innovative approach to early childhood education. Its name reflects the playful, storybook theme that runs throughout the nursery, where dedicated rooms for each age group are filled with carefully selected toys and learning resources. These resources are designed to stimulate imagination and promote active learning.
Partou Storytimes is one of 10 nurseries across the UK competing for the prestigious award. According to the organisers, the award will go to the nursery that “most inspires and excites children” and “actively involves them in their learning, while celebrating their achievements.” The National NMT Nursery Awards are considered one of the highest accolades in the early years sector, celebrating excellence in nursery care and education.
Laura Farnworth, the manager of Partou Storytimes, expressed her pride at the nursery’s shortlisting: “I am thrilled for the team, who thoroughly deserve the recognition that comes with being shortlisted for this award. Our indoor environment is meticulously designed to create a welcoming, warm, and engaging space that nurtures a close-knit community of learners. This encourages children to take ownership of their experiences, fostering a sense of pride and independence that prepares them for future challenges.”
Farnworth added that parents and visitors are often impressed by how the nursery environment captivates the children, with laughter and conversation filling the space. “It is wonderful to be regarded as one of the leading childcare settings in the country for the innovative approach we have adopted,” she said.
Samantha Rhodes, Managing Director of Partou, praised the efforts of the staff at Storytimes, stating: “The National NMT Nursery Awards are highly sought after, and being shortlisted for Nursery Indoor Learning Environment of the Year is an outstanding achievement. Whether engaged in imaginative play or exploring the themed areas, the children at Partou Storytimes clearly thrive in an environment that celebrates their individuality and encourages autonomous learning. The attention to detail demonstrated by Laura and her team in creating and maintaining such a positive space is remarkable.”
The 2024 National NMT Nursery Awards ceremony will take place on Saturday, 30th November, at the ExCeL centre in London. Winners in each category will be announced during the event, which is attended by leaders and professionals from across the nursery care and early education sector.
As Partou Storytimes continues to be a beacon of innovation in early years education, the recognition it has received is a testament to its commitment to fostering a creative and nurturing learning environment.
