College nurseries achieve Mayor of London’s Healthy Early Years London Awards

Nurseries for children of students at City and Islington College (@CitynIslington) have been recognised in the Mayor of London’s Healthy Early Years London Awards.

The college nurseries at its Centre for Business, Arts and Technology (CBAT) on Camden Road and Centre for Lifelong Learning (CLL) in Finsbury Park both received a Bronze Award.

The awards were introduced to recognise childcare and early years providers that do the best for their children’s health and well-being so they get a good start in life.

In letter to the nurseries, Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said:

“I would like to congratulate you on taking these steps to help improve the health, well-being and development of your children, staff and families.”

Awards are presented by London boroughs with a Healthy Early Years London programme from applications made by childcare and early years providers.

The college’s nurseries can cater for up to 47 children at any one time and are open each weekday during term-time to fit around parents’ timetables.

Khadidja Dzanouni, 33, came to the UK from Algeria in January 2016 and is studying GCSEs in English and maths. Her 19-month old son Ahmed attends the nursery at CBAT.

She said: “To get a good job here you need GCSEs in English and maths. The nursery has been helpful because it’s given me more time to challenge myself and carry on with my studies.

“In the beginning it was hard keeping my son at home and trying to study. Now, I can leave him at the nursery and concentrate more on getting the qualifications I need to find work.

“It’s a nice break for a while. The nursery staff really look after him well. I see many mums on my course, and its better for them to be doing something rather than sitting at home.”

To qualify for the Bronze Award, the nurseries had to meet standards in children’s personal development, behaviour and welfare, as well as criteria in relation to the quality of teaching and learning and the effectiveness of leadership and management.

Islington Council praised the nurseries’ approach to children’s behaviour, speech and language development and its commitment to indoor and outdoor physical activity.

It also recognised staff’s good understanding of children’s interests and stages of development and their good ideas when it comes to supporting children’s safety

The nurseries were also applauded for their inclusiveness including their work with children with special educational needs and disabilities.

Management was commended for supporting staff through training and supervision and encouraging them to help parents understand the importance of healthy eating.

Deborah Evans- Rolfe, Head of College Nurseries, said:

“It is fantastic that both our college nurseries have won a Bronze Award in the Mayor of London’s Healthy Early Years London Awards.

“These awards are a fantastic recognition of the hard work and commitment of all the staff at our nurseries, and show the excellent standards we have in place and the impact of our work to support children and their families.”