Anna was praised by the judges for showing an excellent grasp of the key issues in her own case study and contributing positively to the other candidates' case studies. She demonstrated empathy by seeing things from the parents' point of view and putting the needs of the children at the centre of her responses.
Anna's tutor, Carol Dobson, said that when Anna started on the level 2 course she had only recently arrived from Poland. 'From the start she has been an inspirational student, always willing to go the extra mile. She has an exceptional work ethic and a real thirst for knowledge,' says Carol.
The runners-up for the award, run by Heinemann and Nursery World, were Jodie Brown, studying the BTEC National Diploma in Children's Care, Learning and Development at Chesterfield College, and Abigail Riley, studying the Level 3 Diploma in Childcare and Education at Bradford College.
Anna, Abigail and Jodie were entered for the award by their tutors, who chose the students they felt had the potential to be outstanding early years practitioners. Shortlisted students sent in examples of their written work, and the final three attended the Heinemann offices in Oxford on 30 June for a judging day.
The judging p
anel - author and early years consultant Penny Tassoni, NurseryWorld editor Liz Roberts, Edexcel head of product management Shirley Eden and Heinemann publisher Virginia Carter - saw the students present their analysis of a case study containing common challenges encountered in childcare settings.
Following a tough decision, the award was presented by special guest David Fitzgerald, deputy director of the early education and childcare division at the Department for Education (see picture).
For more information, see Heinemann's website.
