By CATRIONA STEWART

ONE of Glasgow’s newest nurseries is making its mark on the city with a slew of health awards.

Monkey Puzzle in the Gorbals has now been shortlisted for a UK-wide awards - and is the only Scottish nursery to make the final five.

The nursery has been named as a contender for the National Day Nurseries Association’s Healthy Nursery of The Year 2017.

Head of Service Lorraine Kirkwood said staff were delighted just to be representing Glasgow.

She said: “The achievement of getting recognised is phenomenal.

“Unlike other awards, this one requires us to be nominated by parents or other professionals so it’s a real honour to be shortlisted.

“Once we found out we were nominated we made an animated video with the children to show all the different health promoting things we do.

“Then we had an interview over Skype with the judges. So to get as far as we have done is fantastic.”

Monkey Puzzle opened three years ago and has already become the first nursery in Glasgow to achieve a Platinum NHS Healthy Choice Award.

The nursery has also been used as an example of good practice in health promotion by the Care Inspectorate.

Lorraine said the nursery is focused on health in a bid to tackle the various health challenges in the Gorbals.

She also said, with 32 cultures in the nursery, inclusion is important and so staff invite parents in to share their traditional cooking skills.

Lorraine said: “It doesn’t matter if you’re in the Gorbals or the west end - you always have challenges.

“It’s more important how you respond to them.”

Monkey Puzzle is now hoping to secure partnership status with Glasgow City Council.

Children’s TV presenter Johnny Ball will announce the winners at an awards ceremony at the Emirates Old Trafford in Manchester on Friday June 30.

NDNA Chief Executive, Purnima Tanuku OBE, said: “This is a fantastic achievement.

“Congratulations to Monkey Puzzle Glasgow Central, which is a great example of the amazing, inspirational work happening in the childcare sector every day.

“Our nursery awards are particularly special as they are the only ones that are voted for by parents.”

The awards, supported by Hope Education, are in their 14th year and more than 185 nurseries registered.