Partou Little Dragons Nursery and Pre-school in Harrogate has been shortlisted for two major awards at the National NMT Nursery Awards 2024. The nursery, located on East Parade, is a finalist in the Nursery Training and Development category, while Nursery Manager Bambi Wainwright is in the running for the SENCo (Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator) Award.
This comes after an impressive year for the nursery, which previously won the National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) Award for Nursery Training and Development. At that event, held earlier this year in Coventry, Wainwright led her team on stage to collect the prestigious trophy.
The upcoming National NMT Nursery Awards ceremony will take place on 30 November at ExCeL in London. It promises to be another exciting night for the team at Partou Little Dragons, with the nursery being recognised once again for its exceptional commitment to training staff and developing best practices for special educational needs.
In announcing the finalists, the judges praised the settings that excelled in staff training, singling them out for their “exceptional commitment to training and developing staff.” The Nursery Training and Development Award celebrates nurseries that provide extensive and impactful training opportunities, fostering both personal and professional growth for their staff.
The SENCo Award, meanwhile, recognises individuals who show outstanding dedication to assessing and supporting children with special educational needs. Wainwright’s work in this area has been lauded for its sensitivity, skill, and innovation in planning and delivering tailored care for children.
On the same day that the shortlist was announced, Partou Little Dragons received further recognition by being awarded the Dingley’s Promise Mark of Achievement. This accreditation is given to early years settings that demonstrate a strong commitment to inclusive practices for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
Speaking about the accolades, Bambi Wainwright, Nursery Manager at Partou Little Dragons, said: “Our ethos at Partou Little Dragons is about creating a nurturing and supportive environment where every team member feels valued and respected. Our comprehensive training programmes have empowered our staff and created a positive, supportive workplace with a low turnover rate.
“I am incredibly proud that Partou Little Dragons has once again received national recognition for our commitment to training and development. On a personal level, I’m honoured to be shortlisted for the SENCo Award, but this achievement is really down to the fantastic team I work with.”
Samantha Rhodes, Managing Director of Partou, praised Wainwright’s leadership and her impact on the nursery since becoming SENCo and Nursery Manager in 2019. “Bambi’s dedication to children with SEN and her passion for inclusion have been transformative for Partou Little Dragons. Her own personal experiences with neurodivergence and her family have shaped her approach and made her a powerful advocate for children with additional needs. She has also been instrumental in driving the training and development programmes that have won national recognition.”
Partou Little Dragons is one of five settings operated by Partou in Harrogate, with the group recently reopening the refurbished Partou Safehands Day Nursery and Pre-school on Kent Road. The nursery looks forward to another year of growth and success, fuelled by its continued focus on inclusive education and staff development.
