This year is no exception, as you will see from our article announcing the 2007 shortlisted students and catching up with the progress of last year's winner, Jamie-Lee Coldham (see page 9). All four contenders come with glowing recommendations and encouraging ambitions to pursue high-level careers. I'm sure that the judging process on 19 June will be extremely tough, but very enjoyable.
An award scheme such as this highlights the continuing need for the status and pay of early years practitioners to be improved and for professionalism and dedication to be recognised more widely. Despite recent moves, there is still a long way to go on this, and it is still difficult for the sector to retain high-quality staff.
Anyone interested in early years and childcare training should not miss our Training Today supplement, free with Nursery World on 21 June. As well as coverage of all the latest initiatives and burning issues, you can get the lowdown on approved qualifications at all levels as well as a comprehensive directory of short courses for professional development.
