ESSCROFT Private Nursery are celebrating after being awarded Nursery of the Year at the Yorkshire Prestige Awards at Hazlewood Castle on December 7.

It saw them compete against other nurseries in the region for the Prestige Award. Representing the Burley-in-Wharfedale nursery was proprietor Maria Kouvatsos, nursery manager Ellen Ogley and deputy manager, Chevaughn Leering who said: "It was such an honour to attend the ceremony and be recognised as the Nursery of the Year.”

Ellen added: “We currently have 21 permanent staff at Esscroft and each staff member has a real passion for Early Years which is essential in ensuring children get the most out of their early education with us. Our children really enjoy our nursery and so do our dedicated staff which I think is really key to enjoying what you do.”

Next year, Esscroft Private Nursery will celebrate 30-years of service after it was originally opened by Anna Kouvatsos in 1993. The nursery is now owned by Anna’s daughter Maria who said: “Our staff team has grown significantly over the last four years and now with 110 families currently on role, every single staff member plays a huge part in making Esscroft what it is today. I am extremely grateful and am certain my late mother would be very proud of what we’ve achieved.”