Work Matters: Training - Abbey wins Childcare Student of the Year Award

This year's Heinemann and Nursery World Childcare Student of the Year is Abbey Wood from Ryton Comprehensive School, Tyne and Wear. She has been studying the CACHE Diploma in Childcare and Education.

The award is now in its ninth year. Judge and leading childcare author Penny Tassoni recalled how it all started. 'We didn't have a way of recognising student achievement. The award, sponsored by Heinemann and Nursery World, was therefore established to provide an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of outstanding childcare students who show the potential to be brilliant childcare practitioners.'

This year, the number of entries submitted for the award increased by 30 per cent.

Abbey's tutor Sue Stead explained why she nominated Abbey. 'Abbey has been an outstanding student since the first day of her course. She has achieved A grades throughout her course, because she takes the time to research every child's specific learning need.'

Abbey was chosen from four finalists by the judges - Penny Tassoni; Liz Roberts, editor of Nursery World; Virginia Carter, Heinemann's commissioning editor for childcare; and Sue Weston, national workforce development manager for daycare at the National Day Nurseries Association. The judges were looking for students who showed the potential to be great childcare professionals and demonstrate outstanding performance on their course.

Before presenting the awards, Sue Weston commented, 'It is important to celebrate the success of our childcare students, as they are the practitioners of the future. What I've heard and seen today has impressed me and the quality of work displayed has been exemplary.'

The four finalists travelled to the Pearson publishing offices in Oxford to go through the final winner selection process, which included being challenged with a case study of a real-life childcare situation. Each finalist was given a short time to consider their response and was then asked to report back to the judges on how they would tackle the issue that was posed to them.

One issue was a four-year-old child who had been attending a nursery since she was a year old. Since the split of her parents the staff had noticed her being more clingy and aggressive to other children after she had spent the weekend with her father. Another scenario given to one of the finalists was of twins arriving at a nursery school with very different personalities, abilities and learning styles. The parents were questioning whether they would benefit from being in the same or different classes.

Abbey wants to take her career as far as she can and has already won places at three universities to train to be a teacher. Abbey is also a fitness and dance instructor, and she led a fundraising event for muscular dystrophy by planning a dance show. With recent statistics revealing that three million children are classed as obese, Abbey's love of children and fitness should prove to be an invaluable combination in a career.

Abbey says, 'It feels great to have won! I am so passionate about what I do and never underestimate the influence I can have on a child's learning.'

Abbey's tutor Sue Stead adds, 'This is quite an achievement for our school, as I have had to convince the more traditionalist staff that the CACHE Diploma Level 3 is a very worthwhile course and that it does lead to university entry.'

Abbey received a cheque for £300 and a year's free subscription to Nursery World magazine. Ryton Comprehensive School, the winning college, will get £300 of Heinemann vouchers.

Runners-up

The runners-up each received a cheque for £100, together with £100 worth of Heinemann vouchers for their colleges. They are:

Sadia Hussain

Sadia, who is currently studying for her CACHE Level 3 Diploma in Childcare and Education at Filton College, Bristol, demonstrated an outstanding commitment to her studies. Her tutor, Julie Harris, says, 'Sadia was the only student in our department who has been nominated unanimously by all members of the teaching staff.'

Lizzie Wavell

Elizabeth Wavell has been a member of staff at Celtic Cross nursery in Banchory for 18 months, working towards her SVQ Level 2 and 3 in Children's Care, Learning and Development.

During Lizzie's time studying for her SVQ it was very quickly recognised that her standard of written work was of a particularly high quality. It also reflected her practical skills and the rapport she had with her children. Lizzie's tutor, Louise Grant, says she has always shown 100 per cent commitment and dedication and demonstrates a true passion for working with children.

Hannah Lindley

Hannah is currently studying for her BTEC National Diploma in Children's Care, Learning and Development at Huddersfield New College. Her tutor, Alison Osbourne, says, 'Hannah has a genuine desire to further her knowledge of childcare-related issues and should be praised for her clear sense of purpose and direction. Her placement supervisors recognise her superb abilities and the positive influence that she has on children.'