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New Awards to recognise outstanding achievement in the field of play and learning

NEWS RELEASE

16 January 2006

New Awards to recognise outstanding achievement in the field of play and learning

The Pre-school Learning Alliance today unveiled a series of new awards for early years practitioners to recognise outstanding examples of facilitating learning through play. Parents and carers across the country are being urged to nominate someone they believe is making a valuable difference in children’s lives.

Held in association with Fisher-Price, the Pre-school Learning Alliance Play Awards aim to highlight the importance of play in child development and give recognition to those who carry out great work in the area. Parents of children under five may nominate in several categories including Outstanding Early Years Group, Outstanding Individual Practitioner and Outstanding Childminder. Parents won’t be forgotten either as, if they meet regularly with other parents or carers for play sessions, they can nominate their own group.

Steve Alexander, Chief Executive of the Pre-school Learning Alliance, says

“We know from our own experience that play makes a real difference in children’s lives. Great learning through play activities are being carried out every day all over the UK in early years groups, with childminders and in the home with parents. We’d like people to help us recognise these outstanding examples by making a nomination. Entries could be for all kinds of reasons, whether it be a childminder who is remarkably creative to a pre-school professional who has helped a child to overcome difficulties using play.”

The awards ceremony will take place in London during National Play Week in June, with cash prizes being awarded to winning groups or individuals to help them carry on the good work. Both winners and those nominating them will also receive a bumper selection of Fisher-Price Learning toys. Anyone wishing to nominate may obtain an entry form by calling 01628 500303 or emailing ukpress.office AT mattel.com. The closing date for nominations is 31 March 2006.

ENDS

For further information please contact:

Andrew Fletcher
Pre-school Learning Alliance
T: 020 7014 9301
Out of hours press calls: 07979 531 130
E: Andrew Fletcher

Notes for Editors:

  1. The categories in the Pre-school Learning Alliance Play Awards, in association with Fisher-Price, are Under 3s Outstanding parent/carer, Outstanding Carer Network, Outstanding Early Years Group, Outstanding Individual Practitioner, Outstanding Childminder 3 to 5 years Outstanding parent/carer, Outstanding Carer Network, Outstanding Early Years Group, Outstanding Individual Practitioner, Outstanding Childminder
  2. Professionals working in the early years industry will also be nominating parents they feel do a great job in complementing the positive work carried out in early years groups and with childminders.
  3. The Pre-school Learning Alliance links 15,000 pre-schools and 500,000 young children and their families in England. Established in 1961 and registered as an educational charity, the Alliance is involved in more Sure Start projects than any other organisation and operates a number of Neighbourhood Nurseries. For information about the Pre-school Learning Alliance, visit our website: www.pre-school.org.uk
  4. 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.com/uk
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