SEVEN childcare practitioners from a local group providing day care have been highlighted as potential leaders.

The seven, who work for Portland Nurseries in Huddersfield, have received the Institute of Leadership Management (ILM) Level 3 Certificate in Leadership.

The certificates were presented at a ceremony held at Oakwood House Nursery in Edgerton. The recipients are based at Oakwood House or at the groups other sites at Portland House and Harlequin Nursery.

Receiving certificates were Lisa Goddard, Sarah Woodward, Emma Wright, Pam Burrell, Natalie Clifford, Nicola Sykes and Sarah Pogson.

Portland Nurseries worked closely with Allied Business Solutions to tailor-make a qualification that focused on the skills needed to be an effective team leader. The project was part-funded by the European Social Fund.

Rosemary Murphy, owner of Portland Nurseries, said: We recognise that it is only through developing a highly skilled workforce that we will be able to provide high quality childcare.

It is a big step for someone to move from being part of a team to actually leading it and this training has allowed these practitioners to develop the skills and qualities needed to become our future leaders.

We are a growing company with four nurseries, Harlequin, Holly Bank, Oakwood House Nursery and Forest School and Portland House Nursery and Out of School Club.

We now employ 76 staff. Training is the key to our success.