SMALL mortar boards were thrown into the air and tiny tears were shed at a graduation with a difference for toddlers at a Hadleigh nursery.

Eighteen children said goodbye to their younger friends at the SMALL mortar boards were thrown into the air and tiny tears were shed at a graduation with a difference for toddlers at a Hadleigh nursery.

Eighteen children said goodbye to their younger friends at the Georgie Porgie Day Nursery, in London Road, at a special ceremony before they head off to primary school in September.

The youngsters, some of whom had been at the nursery since they were just six months old, enjoyed an entire graduation week of activities, capped with a special ceremony to which their parents were invited yesterday.

Gillian Jolliffe, the nursery’s owner, said: “The staff were quite emotional, as were some of the parents. It will be quite a wrench, because these children have been with us for a long time.

“Some of the kids are looking a little anxious, because they know us all so well, but I’m sure they’ll be fine once they start school.”

The departing children made their own mortar boards from glue and cardboard to throw in the air at the end of the ceremony.

Mrs Jolliffe said: “They did a great job with the hats.

“They were busy all morning with the glue and scissors. It was very impressive for kids so young.

“It’s amazing how much they have matured, you should see them on our laptop – they’re better than some of the staff!”

As part of the graduation week, the children took part in activities, including a teddy bears’ picnic on Monday, in a marquee outside the nursery.

Yesterday, children and staff turned up in fancy dress and a sports day is planned for tomorrow.

Mrs Jolliffe said: “It’s about making the week as much fun as possible for the kids. Obviously, it will be a slightly sad occasion, but we wanted them to leave with a smile.”, in London Road, at a special ceremony before they head off to primary school in September.

The youngsters, some of whom had been at the nursery since they were just six months old, enjoyed an entire graduation week of activities, capped with a special ceremony to which their parents were invited yesterday.

Gillian Jolliffe, the nursery’s owner, said: “The staff were quite emotional, as were some of the parents. It will be quite a wrench, because these children have been with us for a long time.

“Some of the kids are looking a little anxious, because they know us all so well, but I’m sure they’ll be fine once they start school.”

The departing children made their own mortar boards from glue and cardboard to throw in the air at the end of the ceremony.

Mrs Jolliffe said: “They did a great job with the hats.

“They were busy all morning with the glue and scissors. It was very impressive for kids so young.

“It’s amazing how much they have matured, you should see them on our laptop – they’re better than some of the staff!”

As part of the graduation week, the children took part in activities, including a teddy bears’ picnic on Monday, in a marquee outside the nursery.

Yesterday, children and staff turned up in fancy dress and a sports day is planned for tomorrow.

Mrs Jolliffe said: “It’s about making the week as much fun as possible for the kids. Obviously, it will be a slightly sad occasion, but we wanted them to leave with a smile.”