Hove nursery is one step ahead when it comes to sustainable travel

The Hove nursery in Cromwell Road has become the first in the country to be awarded silver accreditation in the national Modeshift STARS awards, and it is now working towards hitting gold.

Modeshift STARS is a national awards scheme which recognises schools and nurseries that promote cycling, walking and other forms of sustainable travel.

Footsteps has teamed up with Brighton and Hove City Council to explore safe and healthy ways to travel around the city.

Councillor Gill Mitchell, chairman of the counil’s environment, transport and sustainability committee, said: “I am proud and delighted that Footsteps Nursery has become the first nursery in the country to achieve a silver Modeshift STARS Award, and would like to congratulate everyone involved.

“Walking, scooting or cycling to nursery, or parking away from nursery and walking the last five or 10 minutes, can contribute significantly to recommended activity levels, as well as helping to ease congestion around the city.”

Hannah Moss, owner and manager of Footsteps, said: “We are delighted to be the first nursery in the country to be accredited with Silver Modeshift STARS for our work supporting and promoting active, safe and sustainable travel.”

The work by the nursery has included creating a five-minute walking zone map for parents, carers and staff, asking them to walk at least the last five minutes to nursery when possible, and taking the children for walks in the local environment, while discussing road safety.

The nursery has also held scooter training and pedestrian skills training with the children, to help them develop road safety skills from an early age.

Firefighters visited the nursery in a fire engine, and discussed road safety and their job role with the children.

The children have visited the local bus station, talking to bus drivers, and haven taken nursery trips by bus, for example to Brighton Museum.

Brighton and Hove City Council’s school travel team is working with several other nurseries and early years settings to support them in achieving STARS accreditation.

Dr Katie Cuming, consultant in Public Health for Brighton and Hove City Council, said: “Being physically active every day is important for the healthy growth and development of babies, toddlers and pre-schoolers. The great work being done by Footsteps, and by other early years settings across the city, encouraging more active travel to nursery, helps families achieve their recommended daily activity levels.”

The Footsteps nurseries in Hollingbury and Portslade have also recently submitted applications for silver accreditation, and they will be hearing in May if they have been successful.

Other nurseries have also recently achieved bronze awards - Growing up Green Beaconsfield Villas, Growing up Green Preston Road, and Brighton Steiner School Early Years, along with Saltdean Primary School.