FAMILIES were in tears as their young ones performed during a graduation ceremony.

Nana’s Day Nursery in Turner Rise, Colchester, hosted a graduation day to say goodbye to the children who are starting school in September.

The children received certificates and medals and there were speeches and performances.

Nursery manager Hayley Charp said it was an emotional day.

She said: “Graduations are always a really special time of year for the children and their families.

“We have most of them from babies so we see them work their way through the nursery and when we have to send them off on the next stage of their journey to school it’s quite emotional.

“It was a big family event and it was a really nice send-off. It was a bit windy so we had to do some of the activities indoors.”

The best part of the ceremony was when the children performed You’ve Got a Friend in Me from Toy Story.

Hayley said: “The children have been practising for a few months.

“I don’t think there was a dry eye in the house when the children were singing to their families.

“They learnt some actions as well which they performed.

“Some of them still have siblings here with us so hopefully we will still get to see them.”