A CHILDCARE centre will be celebrating a milestone and a great achievement at the same time.

Close to Home Childcare in Station Road, Burnham celebrate their tenth birthday with an anniversary Fete on July 21.

This celebration will be extra-special because it follows a recent Outstanding rating in their latest OFSTED report.

Opened in 2009 by experienced childcare practitioners Sarah Trower and Amy Hutchinson, the duo is set to celebrate a decade of hard work.

Co-owner Sarah said: “Amy and I have known each other since we were children and are best friends.

“Our friendship has supported us in developing a strong effective business partnership based on honesty and trust.

“After working in childcare for many years in a variety of environments we embarked on the journey to open a childcare setting that encompasses the very best bits of Early Years practice.

“It’s wonderful to see how the children who have left Close To Home are embracing life and education as the competent learners we knew they would become.”

The recent OFSTED inspection noted that ‘highly inspirational managers lead the nursery team’, ‘that children make rapid progress and are exceptionally well prepared for school’ and commented on the ‘impeccable behaviour of all of the children’.

Co-owner Amy added: “We have achieved so much in ten years.

“We’ve both completed degrees in Early Years education whilst running the business and graduating together has been a huge personal highlight.

“We’ve also developed a long-term family of staff members and supported them through their childcare education and careers.

“And we’ve both become parents ourselves during those ten years”.

“We can’t wait for the next ten years and plan to continue with our reflective practice and foster our keen interest in adapting our environment to ensure we are using sustainable resources and embracing a natural approach.”

The fete will be from 11am to 2pm and admission is free.