Honours list recognises early years professionals
A university professor who has devoted more than 40 years to working in early years education has been awarded a CBE in the New Year Honours List, it was announced today.
Professor Tina Bruce, visiting professor of Early Childhood Studies at Roehampton University, and regular contributor to Nursery World, received the honour for her services to early years education. Ms Bruce has been the early years pedagogue for over 100 local authorities, schools and centres across the UK and has written and edited 29 books. She co-founded the Centre for Early Childhood Studies at Roehampton University in 1986.
Ms Bruce said, ‘It's very exciting and I didn't expect it at all. It's extraordinary and a very nice surprise. I think what's really important is the work I've done across the years, the combination of the dissemination of good practice and encouraging people to enjoy working with children.'
Other early years professionals who were awarded honours for their services to early years education included Kathleen Mary Gooding, formerly senior early years inspector at Wolverhampton Local Authority, who was appointed OBE, and Judith Ann Shelley, former head teacher of Rawmarsh Nursery and Children's Centre, Rotherham, who was also awarded an OBE. Patricia Ellen Wallson, former head teacher of the Columbia Market Nursery School and vice-chairwoman of Little Oaks Children's Centre in Tower Hamlets, East London, was appointed MBE.
Duncan Fisher, chief executive of the Fatherhood Institute, was appointed OBE for services to children.
