A pre-school has been awarded for its work helping children with autism after a year of “gruelling” effort.

After a “great effort” from staff at Teddies in Willingale Road, Loughton, it received the Good Beginnings Early Years award today (July 19).

The nursery is the first in the area to receive the bronze “autism friendly” certificate, showing staff have an “extensive understanding” of the condition are specially trained to support children and family members.

Autism is a wide spectrum, including Asperger’s Syndrome, but people with it often have difficulty communicating and forming relationships.

“We only first had an interest in it because we saw so many children being diagnosed,” said Teddies senior manager Donna O’Malley.

“It is something we feel really strongly about: recognising it quickly and acting on it.

“The award gives all the resources, all the knowledge we need and shows we have a commitment to helping children with autism and their families.”

Staff at Teddies talk with families, speech and language therapists and specialist teachers to find the best way to help children, co-ordinating the best activities for their condition.

“We all pool together and from that the specialist teacher will come in with activities to help the child.

“It is to make sure there are no gaps and to make sure we are doing all we can to help the children develop.”

This morning, special educational needs co-ordinator Sarah-Jane Stephens presented the award to Ms O’Malley and Leah Feakes, the senior autism worker at Teddies.

“It took at least a year to do, so it was quite gruelling but it is fabulous to see the award and to know we are recognised for our work with children with autism,” said Ms O’Malley.

“That is an amazing feeling for us all.”