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Nursery World Awards 2008: Individuals - Newcomer of the Year

JOINT-WINNER: Diane Duffield, Steady Steps Pre-School

Diane started at Steady Steps as a parent volunteer, standing out to themanager as someone who brought positive energy and fun to sessions.Mother to two boys attending the pre-school, she became chair of theparent committee and discovered a passion for the early years.

After losing almost all of her hearing as a teenager, Diane initiallyfelt this disability would hold her back from working in childcare. Thiscould not have been further from the truth, as with the support of herfamily and help from her hearing dog Joey, Diane began work at SteadySteps in October 2007.

Her creativity is infectious and her arts and crafts sessions are fullof ideas and laughter - at Chinese New Year she helped the childrenchoreograph a dragon dance. Diane has also initiated an innovativeproject introducing sign language to the nursery through stories, songand all aspects of everyday life - lifting the whole setting.

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