A NURSERY nurse from Colchester has been named the best in the country.

Natalie Jones, from Kiddi Caru’s Day Nursery won Nursery Practitioner of the Year at the Nursery World’s Awards 2014.

The 26-year-old has spent eight years at the nursery off Hesper Road, Hythe Quay rising from student placement to team leader.

She is responsible for the care and welfare of 18 babies as well as nine members of staff and also works as part of the nursery’s management team.

She said: “Head Office nominated me which really made me feel appreciated.

“I just love it here. We are like a little family.

“All the parents and my colleagues are really pleased for me.

“People have brought in flowers and balloons.”

She found out she had won at a glitzy award ceremony in London.

She said: “When they said my name I did not register for five minutes. Then I cried. I had to go on stage to collect it but didn’t have to make a speech.”

Natalie won because of the excellent care and dedication she brings to the role.

She said: “It is amazing to see how they deveop from ten weeks until they leave for school.

“You get attached.”

She also helps babies and children with special educational needs.

Nursery manager Laura Evans said: “I can’t tell you how excited we were when Natalie’s name was called out at the awards event.

“We knew she deserved to win but it’s so wonderful that the panel of judges at the UK’s leading early years education and childcare awards agreed.

“We were all very proud to see her going up to accept her award - I don’t think she could quite believe that she’d won but when it sinks in I’m sure she will be very proud of herself too!”

Kiddi Caru’s Colchester day nursery has been providing premium quality childcare for children aged 0 – five years since it opened ten years ago.