Early years providers were recognised for good practice at a presentation at University College Isle of Man (UCM) last night.
Dhoon Primary School's combined Reception/Year 1 class received the Manx Step into Quality Award.
A further six award-holders achieved post-verification certificates after demonstrating continued quality of practice.
Hopes and Dreams in Woodbourne Road, Douglas; Sandcastles at Cronk-y-Berry Nursery and Marown and Henry Bloom Noble's primary schools' Reception classes achieved Manx Step into Quality in 2016 and Hopes and Dreams' nurseries at The Buchan School and Parklands in 2015.
The voluntary Manx Step into Quality Award takes a year to achieve and measures early years settings on six criteria.
The scheme is run by UCM. Tina Moore, co-ordinator, explained:
'The Manx Step into Quality Award enables providers to evaluate their practice and identify areas that can be developed.
'To gain the award, settings focus on the environment and routines they provide, the interactions between staff and children, the links to develop the positive relationships with parents and leadership and management.
'The award has a positive impact on children and promotes staff development.'
At the ceremony, Butterflies Day Nursery, Sulby, and The Ark Community Nursery, Douglas, received post-award verification certificates after achieving the full, two-year Manx Quality Award in 2014.
The award has eight modules – opportunities and experiences; relationships with children, parents and the wider community; working together as a team; routines; the great outdoors; interactions; meeting everyone's needs and management and business – and takes two years to complete.
Geoff Moorcroft, Director of Education with the Department of Education and Children, said:
'Good early years experiences boost children's chances of doing well in their formal education and later in life.
'The awards are an important way of the Department recognising quality in early years settings and providers are encouraged to work towards them.
'As we work in partnership with the Department of Health and Social Care to continue to develop the regulatory framework for pre-school settings pledged in the Programme for Government, this will enable all settings have access to similar advice and support.'
