CHERIE Blair enlisted the support of two young children to open a new nursery in Hendon today.

Mrs Blair cut the ribbon at Norwood Nursery, based at the Kennedy Leigh Centre, in Edgeworth Close, in front of parents, supporters, staff, councillors and MPs.

She was helped by youngsters Gadi, two, and Shira, three, who later presented her with a painting and flowers.

The nursery teaches children aged between two and five, with and without learning difficulties, and features a sensory garden, adventure playground and “soft” room.

It is run by Norwood, a charity that supports children, families and adults coping with learning disabilities and social disadvantage in the Jewish community and beyond.

Speaking at the ceremony, Mrs Blair, the patron of Norwood’s children’s services, said: “The Government has a policy that says any child matters. It is a great slogan, but it needs to be put into practice.

“Here you see not words, but actions. That is what makes this nursery so special.

“If every child matters, every child has the right to a good start in life. If every child matters, every child has the right to be included. And that is so important for children with special needs.

“I just came back from a trip to Doha, Qatar, where they have huge resources, including an Imax cinema and marble floors.

“We don’t have those here, but we do have access to the best quality education, and in the end that’s what makes the difference.”

Norwood chief executive Norma Brier said: “This nursery is a very special resource.

“It is a dream that we have had for many years, to give every child the right kind of start in life, the start every child needs and deserves regardless of whether they have a disability or a disadvantage.

“It is wonderful they all come here every day to enjoy themselves, to learn, to laugh, to play.

“I hope you will all feel very proud at how this nursery aims to look after every child and every child’s needs in an individual way.”

Moshe Ziman’s three-year-old son, Daniel, who suffers from glue ear, has attended the nursery since it opened in September 2008. He said: “I live in Borehamwood, but I bring my son here because the facilities are fantastic.

“My son has really progressed phenomenally in just a few months, much more than we could have hoped, and his confidence has improved hugely.

“The staff here are great at ensuring they meet the needs of every child and give them that extra bit of attention.”