TODDLERS donned graduation caps and special t-shirts as they celebrated the end of their nursery days.

Staff at Child’s Play Private Nursery, in Ferryhill, hosted a graduation-type ceremony for their three and four-year-olds who were leaving the establishment to start primary school.

The children’s family and friends packed into Ferryhill Community Hub for an emotional event to celebrate the youngsters’ learning journeys.

Laura Leigh Wayman, managing director at the nursery, encouraged the children to always “be themselves” and wished them luck for starting school.

She added: “Every child is so very special and unique in their own individual way, with a unique and amazing way of exploring and understanding the world around them.

“All of the 2016 children and their families have been amazing.

“Everyone at the nursery is so very proud and honoured to have been part of the earliest stage of their learning journey.”