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 childcarer of 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.

Last year, Jackie set up a drop-in centre for childminders. She also plays an active part in her local EYDCP, offers placements to childcare students and mentors childminders involved in the Quality First quality assessment scheme.

Speaking about her job, she says, 'A hug, a smile, the child's first steps... everyday is special and unique when you're working with children.'

Jackie has won a week in Cancun, Mexico.

Runner up: Jackie Baldry, New Studio Pre-School, London W10

Prima Baby nursery worker of the year
Hazel Ashley, Stretton Private Day Nursery, Warrington, Cheshire

'Reliability is her middle name,' says Patricia Morris, nursery manager at Stretton Day Nursery, describing employee Hazel. 'It would be hard to imagine the nursery without her.'

Hazel joined the baby unit in 1999. She is described as organised and fast, loving and supportive, creative - and courageous.

Despite having substantially compromised vision - she has an hereditary eye condition - Hazel has completed her NVQ Level 3 in Childcare and Education while working full time and having the responsibility of being a single parent.

One of the obstacles she faced while studying was having to use a magnifying glass to read study texts. 'My impaired vision certainly makes my job more challenging,' says Hazel. 'But I feel that my other senses compensate for it. I feel that I am more alert and sensitive to the needs of babies. I can hear if they are distressed or if something is not right.'

Hazel has won a weekend in London with a day at a health spa and tickets to a West End show.

Runner-up: Tracey Smith, Lakeview Children's Nursery, Colne, Lancashire

Playworker of the year
Carol Klein, Buccaneers, St Neots, Cambridgeshire

When Carol's youngest son set off for university four years ago, she knew she would have spare time on her hands. 'When I saw the supervisor's position advertised at Buccaneers, I went for it,' she says. And she's never looked back.

Thanks to Carol, the number of children attending the club has tripled since its opening in 1999, and there's a two-year waiting list.

The co-worker and friend who nominated Carol for the award says that it is her 'dedication, inspiration and outstanding commitment' that makes Buccaneers the happy, fun and caring place it is today.

Carol sees the club as an extension of her own family. She welcomes families by initiating social evenings with parents and staff. At school she is a mother figure who does all in her power to fulfil the children's wishes.

'The children are my friends - and they view me as a friend,' she says.

Carol is delighted to have been chosen for the award, but she says she owes it to the support of the staff, parents and children. 'I have lived and breathed Buccaneers for four years - and I've loved every minute of it.'

Carol has won a two-night luxury break in Paris.

Runner-up: Sarah Stacey, Phoenix Activity Club, Bath, Somerset

Best out-of-school club
Cana Out-of-school Club, Penywaun, Aberdare, Wales

Located in one of the most deprived areas of Wales, Cana out-of-school club offers children a haven from the social problems in their community.

Supervisor Michelle Roberts says, 'Children as young as three years old are roaming the streets of Penywaun. If it wasn't for the work of this organisation, a lot of children may have taken the wrong path in life.'

Cana opened in 1999 and now has more than 220 children enrolled in the club.

Staff have been praised for their efforts in helping children play a positive role in the community. Michelle says, 'Designing wall murals for a creche at the local church gave them a great sense of achievement.'

Many of the children had no opportunity to travel outside the valley before the club opened. Now they have been on rock-climbing holidays, water sports weekends and camping trips.

'The children know that the doors are always open at Cana,' says Michelle. 'We have seen remarkable changes in their behaviour - just by believing in them and trusting them.'

The club will enjoy a day at Alton Towers.

Runner-up: Craven after-school club, Rugby, Warwickshire

Childminder of the year
Jane Fisher, Denbri, Boroughbridge, York

'A good start in life sets the foundations for later life,' says Jane, and it is this belief that motivates her to do her best for the children in her care.

The parent who nominated Jane describes her as a 'great role model for the profession'.

She says Jane supported her children through a house move and other children through their parents' separation by sharing appropriate books with them to help the children cope with the disruption in their lives.

Jane often volunteers to give advice to students or less experienced childminders and, as chairperson for the Harrogate and District Childminding Association, Jane has been involved in a drop-in centre for local childminders.

'Not only has the centre been a great way for children to meet and play together, it has also been a useful resource for local childminders, who often come to me for advice on all aspects of childminding,' she says.

Jane received a cash prize of 1,000.

Runner-up: Marylin Munday, Liphook, Hampshire

Childcare entrepreneur of the year
Rachel Jones, Fit 'n' Fun, Falmouth, Cornwall

The idea for a mobile Fit 'n' Fun class came about when Rachel gave birth to her own children then discovered that the nearest physical activity centre was a three-hour drive away.

Having identified a gap in the market, she presented the idea of a physical activity class to local playgroups and nurseries.

'I was worried that no-one would turn up to my first class,' she recalls. 'But my fears were set aside when I opened the door to find 40 eager parents and children.'

Since that day, 30 months ago, Fit 'n' Fun has gone from strength to strength.

It provides physical activity classes both privately and as a Sure Start provider for up to 160 children each week.

Rachel and her 25 employees now run a nursery with out-of-school care, weekend and holiday clubs, children's entertainment, wedding creches and training workshops on physical activities suitable for children.

Rachel says, 'Getting this level of recognition is fantastic. But it's not something I've achieved alone - I owe it to the people who have supported me over the past few years.'

Rachel will be jetting off to Valencia in Spain for two nights.

Runner-up: Anita Anderson, Happy Kidz, Hull

Lifetime achievement award
Joan Bailey, Peterlee out-of-school club, Peterlee, County Durham

After a lifetime of working with children, Joan still enjoys helping underprivileged children experience new adventures and, at the age of 73, still goes on activity holidays with them.

'I haven't tried rock climbing yet,' she says. 'But I love going to the lakes.'

Anne Longfield, chief executive of Kids' Clubs Network, describes Joan as one of the 'founding innovators' of out-of-school childcare. Her involvement in Peterlee out-of-school club 25 years ago inspired her to help plan a national network of school-aged childcare providers with the National Out of School Association (NOOSA).

Joan took an overnight bus to London to attend the NOOSA meetings, and paid for it herself. She did this while working full-time and looking after her own five children.

Joan has always been an active member of the community. She ran an organisation called Women's Action Group, which encouraged local women to train and work.

Today, she is the chair of Tarka, County Durham's Out of School Development Agency.