National award for nursery
Published: Tuesday 25 March 2025

A nursery in Hamilton has scooped a prestigious national award.
The Early Learning Unit (ELU) won the Early Years category in the Success Looks Different awards, which were created by the Inclusion Ambassadors, a group of secondary school-aged pupils from across Scotland who have a range of additional support needs.
Now in their third year, the Success Looks Different Awards contribute towards the Scottish Government’s Additional Support for Learning Action Plan.
Head of Integrated Unit at the ELU, Debbie Shaw, said: "Thank you so much for this special recognition, we are absolutely delighted to have been selected.
“At the ELU, we believe in creating an environment where every child is valued, respected, and celebrated for their unique capabilities.
“This award reflects the dedication of our amazing team and the support of our families.
“We are committed to nurturing a space where inclusion thrives, and we will continue to work every day to ensure every child feels seen, heard, and included.”
Chair of the council’s Education Resources Committee, Councillor Lynsey Hamilton, said: “Congratulations to everyone at the ELU on their award, I know that the children were heavily involved in the application process which makes their success even more valuable.
“The achievement tree offers a focal point for displaying daily celebrations and recognising children’s achievements from both nursey and home.”
The winners of each category were chosen by the Inclusion Ambassador themselves, and the group judged applications based on their own carefully crafted selection criteria.
This includes how well applicants celebrate the individuality of pupils, how they demonstrate creativity and how well they share successes with the wider community.
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