Tuffkid Nursery, where a third of the children have special needs, has been shortlisted for a Nursery World award that celebrates inclusivity.

The Inclusive Practice Award is given to services that promote equality of opportunity and the best outcomes for children regardless of their ethnic origin, needs, background or disadvantage.

At Tuffkid, special needs pupils learn and play alongside mainstream children who come to recognise the need to be caring, compassionate, gentle and patient. A range of therapists support the children, using strategies that can be practiced by the whole therapy team.

One parent told the Nursery Awards judges: “My son is surrounded by all different types of children. Many of the children are mainstream kids who have no issues with their development or very slight issues. There are also children in his surroundings with more severe difficulties than those that he experiences. The variety of children helps him to feel comfortable and accepted for being the way he is. There is no judgement and no ‘blanket rule’ expectations – the only expectation that exists at Tuffkid is to help each child be the best that they can be.”

Tuffkid is one of three shortlisted services. The winners will be announced at an awards dinner in September.