A NURSERY and pre-school in Burnsall is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year.

Hebden Lodge was established in 1994 by Barbara Donald and Toni Allin.

The nursery has grown over the years and is now based at the former Methodist church in Burnsall, where they provide individually-tailored care for children aged from birth up to five.

Mrs Donald said: “One of the reasons we have thrived is that we have such a long-serving team of highly-skilled early years practitioners who have as much passion as they do experience and it really shows.”

Mrs Allin added: “The atmosphere at the nursery is one of a big family. The children thrive in such a positive, friendly, warm atmosphere and are really encouraged to develop to their potential.

“We are so proud to be here 20 years on in this beautiful place still offering families excellent care for their children. We are now looking after the children of some of the children we cared for when we first started!”

Children at the nursery come from local families and as well as further afield such as Skipton. Every day is varied and the children have recently enjoyed planting lettuces in the nursery garden, walking along the river in the sunshine, a sponsored bounce on a bouncy castle, stroking a tortoise, visiting chicks and the children painting with their feet outside.

The nursery – which welcomes people who want to have a look round - also runs a free term-time toddler group (for all under fives) on a Monday from 1.30 to 3pm.

For more information, call 01756 720141