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Winners of Play Awards celebrate success!

NEWS RELEASE

4 October 2007

Winners of Play Awards celebrate success!

The work and commitment of outstanding early years practitioners has been recognised at the Pre-school Learning Alliance Play Awards, in association with Fisher-Price. The national awards, now in their second year, celebrate outstanding practice that encourages and promotes play for very young children.

Practitioners and parents nominated individuals and groups in five different categories. Shortlisted nominees were visited and interviewed by judges from the Pre-school Learning Alliance, Practical Parenting Magazine and the National Childminding Association. The final winners in each category attended a reception at Claridges Hotel, London to receive their awards, a cash prize and Fisher-Price toys for their setting.

Steve Alexander, Chief Executive of the Pre-school Learning Alliance, and one of the judges, said:

‘The standard of entries this year has been outstanding. It has been heartening to see the importance of play in the early years recognised and celebrated in such an innovative and committed way by the winners. For very young children, play is inseparable from learning and development. It is clear that children supported by all those shortlisted are being given a great start in life.'

Susie Boone, Editor of Practical Parenting Magazine, also thoroughly enjoyed the judging process which she described as ‘a genuine pleasure’. She praised the ‘motivation and inspiration’ of the winners, commenting that they were ‘building the foundations for a fantastic future’ for the children in their care.

The winners of the Pre-school Learning Alliance Play Awards 2007, in association with Fisher-Price, are:

Outstanding Pre-school or Nursery

Oakey Dokey’s, Essex

Oakey Dokey’s pride themselves on providing a uniquely fun, playful environment. The sessions are always messy, innovative and creative and children are encouraged to make their own choices and explore their own interests. One young boy even asked if he got a party bag at the end of his first session! The judges commented that, ‘the rich environment, with core activities freely available, provides children with a stimulating and exciting place to explore, investigate and learn at their own pace. Above all, the staff always seem to have fun with the children, letting them explore and develop their own ideas.’

Outstanding Childminder

Kim Heaton, Hambleton, Lancashire

Kim was recommended by a parent for her kindness, patience and ability to communicate with children. Kim keeps a diary for each child with photographs – which is hugely appreciated by the parents. She has even transformed a purpose-built section of her home into a fantastic play environment, consulting the children during the construction of the extension, including the choice of colour scheme and furniture. The judges highlighted Kim’s promotion of the children’s self-esteem and her work in encouraging them to value and respect others, which really stood out.

Outstanding Individual Practitioner

Janet Bell, Princess Louise Pre-school Nursery, Northumberland

Children often start at Princess Louise with skills well below the expected level for children their age. Janet helps all the children to reach their full potential by using a play-based curriculum facilitated by reflective practice. Janet has recently developed a new area in the nursery featuring baskets containing natural materials, with a canopy decked in fairy lights draped across the room to help create a more intimate area. The judges commended her attitude towards the benefits of messy play. Janet believes that ‘The mess can be removed but the learning and experience will stay with them.’ She also organises curriculum days for parents to visit the setting to better understand the role of play in their child’s learning.

Outstanding Baby and Toddler Group

Noah’s Ark, Wembley

Noah’s Ark Parent and Toddler Group has been run by Carole Bevis-Smith and a team of parents for over 20 years and currently has 30-50 children attending regularly. The group focuses on providing a fun and relaxed time for children and carers of all backgrounds to meet, chat and play together. The judges commended the group on their outstanding work in bringing the community together and helping a whole range of children from different cultures have a great time playing and learning together.

Outstanding Parent

Paul Homer, Bunny Tots Pre-school, Peterborough

The Play Awards also recognised the tireless work and commitment that parent volunteer Paul Homer has shown to Bunny Tots Pre-school. Paul joined the group as a parent and became a volunteer helper in 2005 and has been an extremely positive role model for the children, staff and parents. Paul was nominated as Chair of the pre-school committee and worked very hard to encourage more parents to become involved with the setting.

Photo of the 2007 winners of the Play Awards

ENDS

For further information please contact:

Anna Roberts
Pre-school Learning Alliance
T: 020 7697 2504
Out of hours press calls: 07956 499621
E: Anna Roberts

Notes for Editors:

  1. Attached photograph shows the winners with their awards (L-R)
    • Janet Bell, Outstanding individual practitioner
    • Hayley Cannell, Oakey Dokey’s, Outstanding Pre-school or Nursery
    • Andree Race, Oakey Dokey’s, Outstanding Pre-school or Nursery
    • Paul Homer, Outstanding Parent
    • Kim Heaton, Outstanding Childminder
    • Annette Farquharson, Noah’s Ark, Outstanding baby and toddler group
    • Carole Bevis Smith, Noah’s Ark, Outstanding baby and toddler group
  2. The Pre-school Learning Alliance is the largest voluntary sector provider of quality affordable childcare and education in England. Through direct provision and its membership of 15,000 nurseries, sessional pre-schools and parent and toddler groups, the Alliance supports over 800,000 children and their families in England. The Alliance also develops and runs family learning programmes, offers information and advice, runs acclaimed training and accreditation programmes and campaigns to influence early years policy and practice. www.pre-school.org.uk
  3. Fisher-Price is a wholly owned subsidiary of Mattel Inc. The brand is the number one infant & pre-school toy manufacturer in the UK. For further information please visit www.fisher-price.co.uk
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