YOUNGSTERS in Oxfordshire are on their way to becoming environmental experts as Midcounties Co-operative announces that all of its local nurseries have received a prestigious green award.

Nurseries in Blackbird Leys, Carterton, Madley Park, Oxford Station, and Rose Hill are now ‘bronze’ eco-school accredited by national campaign Keeping Britain Tidy, which means they have all nominated an eco-committee of children, completed a child-led evaluation of the nursery, and created a hands-on action plan to make their nursery a greener place.

John Radcliffe nursery has already progressed to ‘silver’, meaning children have begun working on their next sustainability project.

Lorna Bishop, nursery manager at the Co-operative Childcare in Rose Hill, said: “We work hard to create the best nursery environment possible for the children and the eco-school accreditation not only helps us make sure we do so in the most environmentally friendly way possible, it also provides brilliant opportunities for children to explore the world around them."