Excellence in Childcare awards ceremony

Wednesday, July 4, 2001

(Photograph) - Kellie-Ann Fitzgerald (centre) was named Playworker of the Year at the Kids' Clubs Network's annual Excellence in Childcare awards ceremony in London last week. She received her award from Linda Robson, star of the BBC comedy series 'Birds of a Feather', and Stuart Hayward of sponsors JMC, the holiday operators. Kellie-Ann, who runs the Cuddles Eager Beavers out-of-school club in the London borough of Walthamstow, was described by the parent who nominated her as a 'fine ambassador for childcare services', gifted with 'considerable kindness and generosity of spirit'. The Latchkey Project at Balham Family Centre in London won the award for Best Out-of-School Club, praised for offering a caring, sharing environment and a timetable packed with well-thought-out activities, down to a Hallowe'en sleepover for which staff give up their weekend. Rollercoasters Playcentre in Camden, London, which offers a service for children with disabilities and complex needs, won the Most Creative Activity Programme award for its art exhibition 'A Sense of Movement', showcasing the children's work. The Prima Childcarer of the Year was Samantha Morris, a classroom support worker at Ammansford Infants School in Carmarthenshire.