Nursery World - Star performers

This year's Excellence in Childcare Awards, run by Kids' Clubs Network with Nursery World and Prima magazines and sponsored by Sure Start, brings you the unsung heroes who have shaped the childcare sector with good practice, patience and perseverance. Nicole Curnow reports Prima childcarerof the year

Prima childcarerof the year

Jackie Deacon, PJ's Helping Hands, Southend, Essex

'Jackie is a rock,' says the parent who nominated her for the award. 'She is a friend, to share the good times and support through the bad times.'

After more than 20 years working with children in hospitals, nurseries and schools, Jackie became a childminder and set up PJ's in 1997, which is part of an accredited childminding network run with her three colleagues, Debbie Wyatt, Maria Gay and Emma Gibson, from Debbie's home in Southend.

When she became aware of the shortages of places for children with special educational needs, she and her colleagues underwent training and now provide care for five SEN children.

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