A RIBBLE Valley nursery has become one of the first in the country to be given Centre of Excellence status.

Staff and pupils at Acorns Nursery at Oakhill College in Whalley were awarded the accreditation by the Pre-School Learning Alliance after being tested on all aspects of its care, culminating in a formal assessment during a two-day site visit.

Nursery manager Debbie Watson said: "We have always believed that a good nursery education, where children are happy, relaxed and free to express their need to learn through play, provides an excellent foundation for life.

"We are pleased for everyone associated with Acorns, that our hard work over the past two years has been recognised. To achieve accreditation no stone was left unturned in planning, policies and procedures; staff assessments and appraisals; parental consultations and curriculum development. But at the end of the day it's the children that count."

Comments made by the assessor highlighted the personal, social and emotional development as an area of strength at Acorns Nursery, and that interaction was excellent between adults and children, and staff were welcoming and friendly.

Judith Thompson, chairman of the National Committee of the Pre-School Learning Alliance, said: "Acorns is a flagship for our quality assurance scheme."