It may be a small island, but the people looking after some of Alderney’s littlest kids are hoping to win big at the Nursery World Awards later this month.
Alderney Children’s Centre has been named a national finalist for the Business Development Award at this year’s ceremony.
As if that wasn’t impressive enough, it’s the only finalist from the Channel Islands on the 140-strong shortlist.
Founder and Director Jennifer Heald said: “We originally set up back in 2022 to address the critical shortage of childcare on Alderney, which was causing job losses and families to leave the island.”
“We’ve since expanded to help island families even further with a soft play suite, free weekly events, workshops and now the Children’s Farm.
“I couldn’t be prouder of what my team has achieved.”
In January this year, the nursery took on a neighbouring two-acre working farm with polytunnel & animal housing, where children as old as eleven now grow food and look after animals.
The charity is now crowdfunding to support the farm’s next stage, developing Alderney Children’s Farm, with a target of £6,000.
The money will pay for more fruit trees and bushes, a storage shed, better irrigation and fixed playground equipment for the children who use the site.
The winners will be announced at a ceremony at The Brewery in London on Saturday 26 September.
