A WIRRAL early years special needs nursery has won a national award.

Essential Early Years, based in Birkenhead, was selected from thousands of nominations to win a Pearson National Teaching Silver Award.

The team was honoured with the Silver Award for Early Years Team of the Year for their outstanding commitment to changing the lives of the children they work with every day.

Essential Early Years is a private day nursery and pre-school providing care for children aged 0-5 with special needs.

The environment has been specifically designed and refurbished to include a unique imaginarium, movement room, three base rooms and a secure, outdoor space for children to explore.

Essential Early Years has now been shortlisted to win one of just 16 Gold Awards, which will be announced and celebrated at a gala ceremony in London on November 25 and televised on the BBC, with winners showcased on The One Show.

Wirral Globe: Essential Early YearsEssential Early Years (Image: Essential Early Years)

The honours were announced on National Thank a Teacher Day (June 21), an annual event celebrating the role of educators across the UK for the valued role they play in communities and shaping young people.

This year, students were joined by celebrities including Sir Michael Morpurgo, Edith Bowman, Bobby Seagull, Ore Oduba and Nadiya Hussain to mark their teachers' achievements.

The Pearson National Teaching Awards is an annual celebration of excellence in education run by the Teaching Awards Trust, an independent charity now in its 25th year, that recognises the life-changing work that takes place in education, highlighting the vital role educators play and the work that’s delivered in schools and colleges every day.

Michael Morpurgo, author, former Children’s Laureate, and President of the Teaching Awards Trust, said: "I am inspired by the devotion of teachers and the huge impact they have on the lives of the young people they tutor, support, encourage and motivate day in and day out.

"The valuable role they play both inside and outside the classroom has inspired generations of young people across the country to achieve their potential. I am delighted to congratulate the winners of the 2023 Awards and thank them all for the amazing contributions they have made to our communities." 

Sharon Hague, Senior Vice President of Schools at Pearson UK, said: "We would like to congratulate Silver winners on their incredible achievements. We can’t underestimate the huge contribution schools make to our young people’s lives and Essential Early Years is an inspiring example of the positive impact an individual can have on pupils and communities."