Proud partners, children and grandparents of ten mums in Ross watched as they were presented with their first qualification for working with children.

Getting Started in a Pre-school Setting Award is a level one award for people who are just starting work in a pre-school or are parents or volunteers involved in the work of a pre-school. Herefordshire Council's children's centre, based at the Ryefield Centre, invited parents to participate in the 30 hour course over a period of 15 weeks. It would not only boost their understanding of their own child, but they would achieve a basic childcare qualification which could lead to them gaining employment within a nursery or pre-school setting.

Children learn skills that they will use for the rest of their lives through playing and talking.

The children's centre works with parents and carers to help them understand how their children develop so that they can support them and share in the pleasure of seeing children grow in confidence as they develop new skills and knowledge.

Carol Amos, children's centre manager, said: "We're incredibly proud of the parents' achievements and are currently planning to run another course later this year.

The course is great fun to do, whether for personal interest or for those keen to develop a career in childcare. It's a very practical course with a multiple choice paper to do at the end."

The award covers the role of pre-schools as centres of learning for children and parents, basic details about what's involved in the management of pre-schools and how adults can support children's learning and development.