They are pleased as punch at Grasshoppers Day Nursery in York Road, St Albans, with scooping an award after parent praise put it in the number eight spot of regional league tables for the best UK early years providers.

Scrutinising thousands of parent recommendations for the best Ofsted rated Outstanding and Good early years settings, Day nurseries, the online directory and industry website, rated Grasshoppers 8th out of 961 nurseries in the East of England.

Celebrating the award, deputy manager Raelene Gash said: "We really couldn’t be more delighted or proud because it is our very busy parents who made this award possible.

"They are incredibly supportive of Grasshoppers and instrumental in helping us ensure that every child gets the very best nursery experience. That is why their praise and recommendations mean so much."

The award is based on the nursery’s online recommendations from parents, relatives and guardians of the children at Grasshoppers which is part of the employee-owned Childbase Partnership. Davina Ludlow, Director of daynurseries.co.uk, said: "We would like to congratulate Grasshoppers Day Nursery in St. Albans on being a top recommended nursery in the East of England. It is a fantastic achievement to be highly recommended by families and carers for the warmth and excellent care in the setting."

"The first five years of a child’s life are vital in shaping the adult they will become, which is why we decided to recognise those nurseries which are playing such an important part in our children’s lives," she added.