Nursery World Awards 2008: Individuals - Newcomer of the Year
JOINT-WINNER: Diane Duffield, Steady Steps Pre-School
Diane started at Steady Steps as a parent volunteer, standing out to the manager as someone who brought positive energy and fun to sessions. Mother to two boys attending the pre-school, she became chair of the parent committee and discovered a passion for the early years.
After losing almost all of her hearing as a teenager, Diane initially felt this disability would hold her back from working in childcare. This could not have been further from the truth, as with the support of her family and help from her hearing dog Joey, Diane began work at Steady Steps in October 2007.
Her creativity is infectious and her arts and crafts sessions are full of ideas and laughter - at Chinese New Year she helped the children choreograph a dragon dance. Diane has also initiated an innovative project introducing sign language to the nursery through stories, song and all aspects of everyday life - lifting the whole setting.
She is also helping the staff to sign, not as an alternative to speech but as an addition to it. It has instilled in children and staff a real awareness of deafness and has proved a valuable tool in settling those learning English as a second language.
In the future she would also like to work with any parents who wish to improve their knowledge and skills base in this area.
It seems her disability enables her to be more intuitive to interpreting and understanding how the children may be feeling, and therefore she is quick to step in and offer them comfort and support.
Diane has also completed her NVQ Level 2 and begun Level 3. Most importantly, the children love her and will run to her for support as she always has time for them.
JOINT-WINNER: Louise Bruce, Orchard Barns Kindergarten
When given responsibility, Louise always seems to respond beyond all expectation. She joined Orchard Barns Kindergarten on a Foundation Modern Apprenticeship after finishing her GCSEs, with her senior manager recognising 'a natural and spontaneous teacher'.
Her genuine interest and care for her key children, combined with a strong grasp of learning goals, mean that every activity is tailored to their needs and development.
A testimonial from a parent of one of Louise's first key children proves her dedication and her natural gift for childcare. Their child had a bad experience at a previous nursery, but 'Louise made us feel totally at ease', with their son soon 'a child transformed'. After being away for two weeks following a successful operation, 'he went dashing up to her for a huge cuddle. We realised at that moment how lucky we were to have such a genuinely warm person in charge of our son'.
Louise is unfazed by challenges and her trainer/assessor attributes the quick completion of her Foundation Apprenticeship to a confident and mature attitude towards her work. She has now enrolled on an Advanced Apprenticeship, eager to continue her career progression.
'Louise is a vital member of the team,' according to her team leader, who says, 'It is a privilege to work with her.'
CRITERIA
Open to early years practitioners with less than one year's experience at the closing date, who have shown an exceptional start in childcare.
- Sponsored by 4 Children.
