A child care provider who has been operating her Prestatyn nursery for 51 years has been celebrated at a special event at 10 Downing Street.
Tina Jones opened Tiny Tots Nursery in 1972 and has been providing quality care for babies and children of all ages on a full or part time basis ever since.
In recognition of the fantastic service she provides, Vale of Clwyd MP Dr James Davies nominated her to attend the recent Local Community Childcare Champions reception at 10 Downing Street,
Hosted by Children’s Minister David Johnston, the reception honoured champions from across the country who have helped give ‘every child the best start in life’.
Speaking after the event, James said:
“Tina has dedicated the last 51 years of her life to providing an excellent childcare provision in Prestatyn and in 2016 was appointed MBE for services to Childcare and Early Learning in Denbighshire. I therefore felt it only right that she was celebrated alongside childcare providers from across the country at this prestigious reception.
“Tina has created a beautiful, welcoming childcare facility which children love attending. She has worked hard over the years to expand and develop the nursery to meet local needs and parents feel confident leaving their children there, knowing they are receiving the best care from Tina and her team, who always go above and beyond.
“I am very proud to have such a successful nursery in my constituency and It was a privilege to welcome Tina and her daughter Kirsty, who also works at the nursery, to Parliament and to accompany them to the reception.”
Tina, a former Prestatyn High School pupil who has lived in the town all her life, and served on Prestatyn Town Council since 2012, said:
"We had a lovely day. We were very honoured to be invited by James to attend this prestigious reception.
"We got to meet other childcare providers, including Kids Planet, who are based all over the country and have just ventured into Wales, so it was nice to catch up with them.
"We also got to meet and have a chat with the Minister."
Before the reception, Tina and Kirsty were given a tour of Parliament.
Tina added:
"Although I have attended before, we both very much enjoyed going into the House of Commons and the House of Lords.
"Overall it was an excellent couple of days that we will both remember for many years to come."
Minister for Children, Families and Wellbeing, David Johnston OBE MP said:
“It was great to be able to say thank you to some of our fantastic early years workforce, who do so much to help give every child the best start in life and support parents to work.”
“The UK Government is making the single biggest investment that's ever been made in childcare by expanding funded childcare hours to children of working parents as young as nine months. Unfortunately, the Welsh Government have so far refused to follow suit and are continuing to penalise hard-working families in Wales. I would encourage them to look at expanding their funded childcare offer in line with England’s plans.”
