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Dec 2023

Last Updated: 19/12/2023

Children's Corner is the only double winner at Family Business Awards

by John Grainger

| 19 Dec, 2023

This story is sponsored by Children's Corner Childcare.

Companies from across the region were recognised at the Yorkshire & Humber Family Business Awards last month, but none had a better night than Children’s Corner Childcare.

The group, which runs 10 childcare settings, including one in Harrogate, all rated Good or Outstanding by Ofsted, was the only double winner of the evening.

It not only scooped the Business Services award, but operations manager Nicola Stanworth also won the only individual award of the evening, for Employee of the Year.

Nicola beat a field of 16 finalists from every sector across the region. She said:

“I was over the moon – I never expected to be singled out like that for doing what I do. To know that other people recognised all the effort I put in was an amazing feeling.

“I’m completely dedicated to Children’s Corner. I started working here as a 15-year-old while doing my GCSEs, and had a part-time role here while I was doing my teaching degree at Leeds Metropolitan University. Once I’d graduated, Early Years education called me, and I came here full-time.

“I have a diverse role, looking after all the operations and logistics, and I never switch off – it’s just how I’m built!”

Children’s Corner was set up in 1995 by former police officer Lesley Dawson and her husband Allan when they couldn’t find a nursery they liked for their first son. Nearly 30 years later, two of their three sons also now work in the company, making it a truly family-run enterprise.

Nicola said:

“We treat all the children as individuals and focus on making them independent, to prepare them for their next steps in life. We keep our sites fresh, and replace all the resources regularly, and everything’s included in the price, such as healthy meals, milk and nappies.

“Parents can even keep up to date with their children’s progress with the Children’s Corner app.

“A lot of people say our nurseries feel like a home from home.”

Children’s Corner is now recruiting across all its nurseries, and is looking for only the best candidates with a small number of opportunities still available at their Harrogate nursery.

Children's Corner Harrogate is currently hiring for an Early Years Educator. Click or tap here to apply.

All the company’s key staff have recognised childcare qualifications however Children’s Corner were also recognised at the House of Commons this year as one of the Top 50 SME’s in the UK offering Apprenticeships with a number of apprenticeship opportunities also available for anyone looking to get into the Early Years sector.

Nicola said:

“Working at Children’s Corner is fantastic anyway, but in addition to the usual benefits, we offer childcare discount, a four-day working week, and even the possibility of study trips abroad, through our charity arm in Malawi. If you've got the skills and qualifications join the best nursery group in the region, get in touch."

Find out more:

For more information about childcare with Children’s Corner, go to www.childrenscornerchildcare.co.uk.

If you’re a childcare professional and are interested in joining the Harrogate team, take a look at our current vacancies.