Nursery World Awards: Be the best!

Now is the time to shout about your best practice and get recognition for exceptional individual and team work with the launch of our Nursery World Awards 2011.

The Awards, which are in their fourth year, are regarded as the pre-eminent accolades for the early years sector and, importantly, help to raise the profile of the sector. They are a fantastic way of acknowledging the dedication and talent that is found in settings across the UK.

Nursery World editor Liz Roberts says, 'Early years education and childcare services are facing challenging times, with the new Government bringing in many policy changes, funding cuts starting to hit and the Early Years Foundation Stage under review. Through it all, dedicated professionals continue to improve their skills and qualifications and provide the very best for young children.

'Nursery equipment companies, too, are creating and supplying innovative resources to support learning and development.

'Yet the fantastic work going on in the sector is often not recognised and rewarded, and the Nursery World Awards aim to put this right.'

ENTRY IS EASY

There is a category for everyone, with awards being given across four areas - organisations, individuals, initiatives and resources - for practitioners and companies operating in the public, voluntary and private sectors (see box for full list). This year we've introduced a new award, Website of the year, to highlight providers which have informative, accessible and innovative websites.

Entry to the Awards has got even easier, with submissions being taken online this year. The deadline for entries is Wednesday 11 May.

The judging is rigorous, with a panel of leading figures from every part of the early years sector. To be shortlisted is to be one of the best in UK early years education and care.

All shortlisted entrants get a logo to display on emails, websites and printed materials, to highlight their success. Finalists and highly commended entrants receive a certificate and winners are presented with a trophy to proudly display in their settings, as well as gaining glowing coverage in Nursery World itself.

Overjoyed winners from last year include Nursery of the Year Little Learners Nursery School in Skegness, Lincolnshire, deemed an 'exciting and inspiring place to be' by the judges. Julie Johnston's leadership skills brought the support worker from Sparklers Private Nursery in Gretna, Dumfries and Galloway, the accolade of Newcomer of the Year, while the welcoming team at Caverstede Early Years Centre in Peterborough claimed the Inclusive Practice award.

So what are you waiting for? Compile your entry for the chance to be celebrating your achievements with your peers at an exciting, glitzy black tie event on 30 September at the Lancaster London.

AWARD CATEGORIES
Organisations:

• - Nursery of the year
• - Pre-school of the year
• - School early years team of the year
• - Local authority early years team of the year
• - Nursery chain of the year

Individuals:

• - Nursery manager of the year
• - Nursery practitioner of the year
• - Early Years Professional of the year
• - Trainer of the year
• - Childminder of the year
• - Newcomer of the year

Initiatives:

• - Working with parents award
• - Team development award
• - Business development award
• - Inclusive practice award
• - Nursery food award
• - Enabling environments
• - Website of the year NEW

Resources:

• - Birth to threes: New launch
• - Birth to threes: Tried and tested favourite
• - Three to fives: New launch
• - Three to fives: tried and tested favourite

For further information on criteria and how to enter, please go to:
www.nurseryworldawards.com.