Nursery World - Childcare student of the year award

Last September Jamie-Lee Coldham became the first male student to win the prestigious Heinemann and Nursery World Childcare Student of the Year award. As this year's shortlist is revealed, we catch up with Jamie-Lee. Now 17, he is a student at Blackpool and The Fylde College, studying for a CACHE Diploma in Childcare and Education. In February 2006 his then tutor, Lesley McCartney, entered Jamie-Lee for the award, as she felt that his performance on the childcare course was unparalleled and that he had shown the potential to be a great childcare professional.

Now 17, he is a student at Blackpool and The Fylde College, studying for a CACHE Diploma in Childcare and Education. In February 2006 his then tutor, Lesley McCartney, entered Jamie-Lee for the award, as she felt that his performance on the childcare course was unparalleled and that he had shown the potential to be a great childcare professional.

Jamie-Lee was chosen for his capacity to understand the needs of the children and their parents, combined with a high level of analytical skills and knowledge of child development.

Looking back, Jamie-Lee remembers being thrilled to be nominated and then to win. 'I was very surprised and proud to be chosen. Being recognised in this way is a really big deal to me,' he says. 'I think the awards are a great way of sharing the good work that the childcare profession is doing.'

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