LITTLE scholars were dressed in graduation blue to mark their last days of nursery.

A total of 29 children finished their time with Lexden Lodge Kindergarten before they move on to start at primary school.

The milestone was marked with a graduation ceremony at the nursery in Lexden Road, Colchester, during which each youngster, dressed in a robe and mortar board, was presented with a scroll.

Nursery manager Angela McQuitty said: “We had 29 little ones who were preparing to leave us and make the move on to school.

“We like to give this day to them as an opportunity for them to get together and say goodbye to their friends and for their families to say goodbye.”

The pupils are set to attend ten different schools.

Mrs McQuitty added: “It was a really lovely day for everyone.

“It is an opportunity for staff to say goodbye to them children as well.

“The staff are very committed and they value the memories just as much as the children and their families.”

Leavers at Springlands Nursery in Colchester in Shrub End Road also 'graduated' with a mini degree.

Karen Travers, who is a senior manager at the nursery in Shrub End Road, said 26 children took part in the ceremony in front of proud parents.

She said: “It is emotional for us.

“Some of the children have been with us from when they were babies. It is a long time and now they are going off to big school.

“The ceremony really was a celebration of what they have achieved and the big steps they are taking now on the next big stage of their life.

“There will be tears when they leave us properly.”

The nursery has held the ceremony for the past three years, but this was the biggest yet.

The children, each wearing their bespoke made mortar board, were presented with a certificate and a goody bag of cake and strawberries.

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