Nursery School Celebrated Again For Active Travel Excellence
South Normanton Nursery School has again been recognised in the Modeshift STARS regional school travel awards for its efforts to get children and families to travel without a car.
For the second year in a row the nursery, in Hamlet Lane, has been named a best-practice model for encouraging walking, scooting and cycling as part of daily routines. These efforts support the children’s safety, health and long-term travel habits while reducing reliance on cars.
Key activities at the nursery, many of them led by Derbyshire County Council, include:
• Scooter Smart Training: Autumn sessions for children and carers teach safe scooting, with bike and scooter racks installed on-site
• Walking and Road Safety: Regular walks to the library supported by the school crossing patrol
• Creative Events: A space-themed “Bling Your Wheels” event where families decorated bikes and scooters
• Clean Air Day: Parents pledged to make greener travel choices and joined children in creating superhero masks and shields, promoting active travel and discouraging engine idling.
• Bike Week: Encouraged cycling confidence and dropping the use of stabilisers
• Daily Practice: Children use nursery bikes and scooters to develop balance and safety skills
• Family Involvement: Activities designed to include parents and carers in planning and celebrations.
As a result of its continued success, South Normanton Nursery School will represent Derbyshire at the National STARS School Travel Awards Celebration on Wednesday 18 March 2026 at The Royal Society in London. The nursery is in the running for the Modeshift STARS National Early Years Establishment of the Year 2025/26.
Derbyshire County Council Cabinet Member for Net Zero and Environment, Councillor Carol Wood, said: “South Normanton Nursery School has demonstrated outstanding commitment to promoting active travel among children, families and the wider community. I’m pleased we’ve been able to support them as part of our own commitment to create more prosperous, green and sustainable places with opportunities for everyone.”
Head teacher Peter Hallsworth said: “We are super-proud to announce that we have won the Modeshift STARS Regional Early Years Establishment of the Year 2025/2026 for the Midlands again! This is the second year in a row we have been privileged to win this award.
“Next step is the national awards in London early next year. A huge well done to all our staff and children.”
The nursery has been part of Modeshift STARS since 2020, with active travel now embedded into an annual rolling programme. Participation in Local Authority Travel Smart Week further encourages families to consider their travel choices.
More News From Amber Valley Info
| Amber Valley adopts Local Plan in major milestone for the borough Amber Valley Borough Council has formally adopted its Local Plan, setting out how the borough will grow and develop read more | |
| Four upgraded play areas to reopen in Amber Valley as new Play Strategy launches Families across Amber Valley will soon be enjoying upgraded play spaces, as four play areas prepare read more | |
| Belper care home named among the Top 20 Care Homes in the East Midlands Family-run care provider Milford Care is proud to announce that Spencer Grove Care Home in Belper has been re read more | |
| Storage site in picturesque Little Eaton village to go up for auction A large plot of land, currently used as a caravan storage site, in the village of Little Eaton, near Derby, is read more | |
| Opticians celebrates 20 years in Belper The team at a Belper opticians have celebrated their 20th anniversary with a special event and a fundraising raffle. read more | |
The Amber Valley Info Noticeboard
| Food waste recycling is coming to Amber Valley From June 2026, Amber Valley Borough Council will introduce weekly food waste recycling across the borough as part of a phased roll-ou read more | |
| Stallholder Bookings Now Open For The Tansley Big Day Out We're excited to announce that Tansley's Big Day Out 2026 will take place on 6th & 7th June 2026! read more | |
| Christmas and New Year bin collection dates Over the festive season, bin collections will operate on revised schedules. Some collections may take place up to two days earlier than u read more | |
| Launch Of WOMBLE MANIA! At the Heights of Abraham, Opened by Marcus Robertson, Son of Wombles author, Elisabeth Beresford, officially launched WOMBLE MANIA! at the Heights of Abraha read more | |
| Belper School and Sixth Form Centre Closed Today Due to a significant water leak, resulting in the water being turned off at school, we unfortunately have to close the school today. read more | |
