Smart, innovative and nationally recognised!

A Lancashire business took its place at a national awards ceremony after its revolutionary smartphone app was voted one of the most innovative in its industry.

Connect Childcare’s ParentZone software package was honoured for having the greatest impact on how pre-school nurseries and businesses operate at the National Business Awards.

The ground-breaking application – launched just eight months ago – allows parents to experience every magical milestone in their child’s nursery life.

The unique scheme, accessed through a secure website, offers mums and dad a detailed timeline of their toddler’s day using videos, photographs and descriptions of their little one’s achievements.

Parents can also interact with nursery staff by replying to posts and uploading details of their child’s home life.

The Burnley business’ hard work was recognised when it was finalist in the Market Gravity Innovation Award at the glitzy awards, held at the Grosvenor House, in London.

Chris Reid, CEO of Connect Childcare, said: “We are extremely proud of ParentZone and how it allows busy parents to keep in touch with their child’s development wherever they are throughout the day.

“It was great achievement to reach the final in this award, especially considering ParentZone was only launched in March.

“The adoption of ParentZone by nurseries and parents has been phenomenal. Everyone at Connect Childcare has worked tremendously hard and it is fantastic that all their endeavours have been recognised.”

“We have developed a product which is unlike any other in its market and are really proud that through our innovation, we’re doing something good, and making nurseries more efficient so that their staff can spend more time with children.”

ParentZone is focused on giving parents more influence and input into their child’s formative years.

Around 20,000 parents have now downloaded it to date, and it is anticipated that this will rise to more than 65,000 by March 2016.

A total of 2,000 nurseries have so far subscribed to the service, which has a potential of reaching almost two million parents in the UK who have children of pre-school age. Connect Childcare also has ambitions to market ParentZone globally, and is in advanced talks with organisations in Dubai and Singapore.