A nursery school in Ipswich has been awarded a top quality mark in recognition of its excellence in providing advice and support to families.

Highfield Nursery School and Children’s Centre in Chesterfield Drive became only the third in the county to be accredited with the Families First Quality Award by the National Association of Family Information Services.

Ruth Coleman, lead teacher at the nursery, said the award was a great recognition of the staff’s work.

“It acknowledges all the great work that goes on throughout the school and with the families we support,” she added.

The award recognises services that exceed the requirements to provide information and assistance to families. Ms Coleman said the partnership approach staff had taken with the families using the centre was an essential part of its ethos.

“It’s really important that we work with the parents, because they are the children’s first educators and they are putting a great deal of trust in us to care for their children,” she said.

The centre offers education to more than 100 children aged three and four.