A NURSERY company in Durham has just made the finals of a national awards after a year of expansion.

Clever Clogs Day Nursery at Belmont has been named as one of four finalists in the Pre-School of the Year category of the renowned Nursery World Awards 2011.

This caps a good year for the four-year-old firm which has this year invested £500,000 in two new nurseries, in Hartlepool and Bowburn, near Durham, and received an outstanding grading Ofsted.

Clever Clogs Nurseries’ managing director Andrea Townsley said: “We are thrilled to have been shortlisted for the Nursery World Awards, especially within such a competitive category.

“It has been a fantastic year for the Belmont Clever Clogs team who have been pivotal in achieving our outstanding grading and have worked tirelessly with the teams at our new sites to bring the nurseries in line with our high standards.

“We are heading to London for the ceremony and will have our fingers crossed for a win on the night – it would be the finishing touches to a great few months and another symbol of all of the hard work and dedication the team have put in to make Belmont and our two new nurseries the success they are.”

The winners will be announced at a gala ceremony at the end of September.

Clever Clogs Belmont offers childcare for 0-five-year-olds, pick-up and after-school collection services for ages five-11 and holiday clubs. It provides classes including Tiny Talk sign language, Tumble Tot soft play, French classes, indoor and outdoor play areas, on site catering, day trips and special needs care.

The firm currently employs 71 staff across all three nurseries with the potential to double the numbers when the two new nurseries reach capacity.