Glittering Evening of Celebration as NDNA Nursery Award Winners Revealed

June 17, 2011 - PRLog -- National Day Nurseries Association, Head Office, 10 June 2011 – National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) today revealed the 2011 title holders of the NDNA Nursery of the Year, supported by Hope Education and the NDNA Nursery Practitioner of the Year, supported by Citation plc. NDNA also revealed the names of the five individuals who have been recognised for their dedication to the sector with an NDNA Member Champion Award, supported by Pound Gates Insurance Brokers.

The winners were crowned at a prestigious awards ceremony which took place at The Royal Armouries, Leeds yesterday evening. BBC Radio Leeds presenter Liz Green hosted the evening and opened the ceremony by firstly celebrating all those who have achieved e-Quality Counts over the past year with a roll of honour before sharing how selecting this year’s winners had been one of the toughest decisions yet, with thousands of delighted parents taking the time to nominate their child’s nursery and nursery practitioners.

Following the recognition of the five regional and national winners, dinner guests saw Sandfield Natural Playcentre from Liverpool taking away the overall title of NDNA Nursery of the Year for 2011. Presenter Liz Green revealed how judges were impressed by parents comments about this ‘magical nursery’ where a variety of challenging and imaginative activities including a fantastic outdoor area helped children to learn. Guests also heard how the visiting judge was so impressed wanted to ‘jump in and enjoy’ the activities for herself – especially more so when she found children enjoying the story of The Gruffalo in the outdoor story den who were so captured by the tale they warned the judge not to step in ‘Gruffalo poo’ (which were actually small piles of mud). Children and staff will now be able to enjoy planning new activities by spending their £1,400 prize of Hope Education vouchers.

Jenny Carlton from Stepping Stones Nursery in Warrington was awarded the title of NDNA Nursery Practitioner of the Year 2011. It was revealed how Jenny had received nominations from all the parents using the nursery, each with their own special story to tell. Guests heard how delighted parents felt that she was doing a ‘job she is born to do’, and how parents wanted her to be recognised for her dedication to all children in the nursery, and her enthusiasm for making nursery a wonderful place including through re-developing the outdoor area. Jenny will now enjoy a well-deserved spa day with a £200 voucher and receive £200 to spend on resources for the nursery.

The evening saw five new NDNA Member Champions celebrated and recognised for their commitment and contribution to early years. Kate Peach, Managing Director at Early Years Childcare in Hove was recognised for her support in raising the profile of the sector and supporting networks whilst Malcolm Snaith, Director at First Steps Kindergarten in Sunderland was thanked for his support in representing the sector and working hard to ensure nurseries received a fairer deal. Angela Foley, Centre Manager at Bright Beginnings Childcare in Leeds was praised for her work in championing high-quality childcare and for her work in supporting NDNA whilst Elizabeth Ann McEwan, Director at ABC Nursery in Dumfries was recognised for her work in establishing a network in Scotland, and for supporting families during difficult times. Brenda Davis, Childcare Strategy Manager at Cardiff Council was also given a local authority NDNA Member Champion Award for her efforts in securing support for nurseries in Cardiff which will ultimately help settings to raise quality continually.

Purnima Tanuku OBE, Chief Executive of National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) comments: “It was an absolutely fantastic evening and each and every one of the award winners and finalists demonstrated the great work that is happening in the sector. I would personally like to congratulate all our winners and I very much hope that they enjoy celebrating their achievements with children and families on their return to nursery.”

Tavia Spencer, from Hope Education says: “All the regional and national winners did incredibly well, and we would like to send our special congratulations to Sandfield Natural Play Centre on taking away the title of being the NDNA Nursery of the Year 2011. We very much hope that they enjoy spending their prize money!”

Adrian Brine from Citation plc comments: “It was a great evening and really inspiring to hear just how hard the sector works to support children and families. Jenny was an incredibly worthy winner and we hope she enjoys her spa day.”

Del Sharman, from Pound Gates Insurance Brokers says: “It is great to see those individuals who support fellow nurseries being recogised, and the delighted faces when the winners realise they are receiving an award! Congratulations again to all the 2011 NDNA Member Champions.”

http://www.ndna.org.uk

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Notes to editors:  

For more information, to arrange interviews or photographs please contact Hayley Wilson, Senior Press and Policy Officer on T: 01484 40 70 66 E: hayley.wilson@ndna.org.uk M: 07718 803 652.  Photographs from the evening will be available from Monday 13 June.

The NDNA Nursery Awards ceremony was supported by Christie + Co.

The regional and national winners were as follows and each received a prize of £400 to spend on resources with Hope Education:

•   NDNA Nursery of the Year for the North of England: Sandfield Natural Play
Centre, Liverpool
•   NDNA Nursery of the Year for Wales: Hollies Day Nursery, Cardiff
•   NDNA Nursery of the Year for Scotland: ABC Nursery, Dumfries
•   NDNA Nursery of the Year for Central England: Oak House Nursery School, Herefordshire
•   NDNA Nursery of the Year for the South of England: StepStones Nursery Ltd, Enfield.

National Day Nurseries Association is a national charity representing children’s nurseries across the UK, giving them information, training and support, so they can provide the best possible care to young children. NDNA is the voice of the sector, an integral part of the lives of nearly one million children and their families.

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National Day Nurseries Association is a national charity representing children’s nurseries across the UK, giving them information, training and support, so they can provide the best possible care to young children.