STAFF from a Lymm-based nursery group were rewarded for their hard work with a national award.

The Kids Planet SEND Team collected a top prize for early years provision at nasen’s sixth annual awards.

The Lymm-based nursery group, The Kids Planet, was put in the spotlight at a sparkling ceremony at The Grand Hotel in Birmingham for its remarkable work in helping their pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) and learning differences thrive and achieve.

The Kids Planet SEND team is two years old and comprises four members with a combined 40 years of service between them. The team constantly advocates for children with SEND, and champions for them to be at the centre of the company.

They also consistently work to support numerous settings in the upskilling of knowledge, ensuring practices are fully inclusive and differentiated, to meet children’s needs and celebrate strengths and successes.

The Kids Planet SEND team joins 17 other award winners, judged by a panel of leading professionals with a wealth of experience in education and SEND – as well as individuals with lived experience.

Becky Eckersley, SEND team lead at the Kids Planet SEND Team said: “We were incredibly honoured to have been shortlisted for the Early Years Provision category at the NASEN Awards and are absolutely thrilled to have been recognised for our teams hard work and dedication to working with the Nursery SENDCOs to make a difference to the lives of children and families with SEND by receiving the award, it’s such a fantastic achievement for the SEND Team and Kids Planet.”

Chief Executive of nasen, Annamarie Hassall MBE said: “The Kids Planet SEND team should be extremely proud of what they have achieved.

"Our judges agreed that the team is clearly effective in their work, with glowing testimonials from parents. We also admired their overall commitment to championing children under 5 with SEND, raising funds for the National Autistic Society (NAS) so the NAS can continue their work in supporting families of children with autism.”

The awards are hosted by nasen – the National Association for Special Educational Needs and Disabilities – and supported by sponsors Scanning Pens, who is also the awards headline sponsor, Axcis Education, and official awards media partner, Schools Week. nasen is the leading membership charity that supports children and young people with SEND to reach their full potential, whilst being a champion, friend and protector of the SEND workforce.

Scooping nasen’s Award for Early Years Provision, alongside the Northumberland-based nursery SEND to Learn, the Kids Planet SEND Team was recognised for improving practice and training to provide exceptional SEND support across 120 settings and 35 local authorities.