A special ceremony at Bethnal Green Museum of Childhood in London last Thursday saw the first prize go to four-year-old Heather Offord from the Ipswich Opportunity Group in Suffolk, whose photo celebrated Mother's Day. The second prize winner was Aziza Bangura, age two, from Blooming Babies in Ilford, Essex, whose photograph celebrated Red Nose Day, and third prize went to Frances Stacey, age four, from Chelmsford YMCA Day Nursery in Essex, for her photograph celebrating Easter. The winners each received gift vouchers and their nurseries were presented with cameras and photo albums.
The competition was organised by childcare charity the Daycare Trust and Nursery World with support from Nurseryworks Family Solutions. Children from Nurseryworks came along for a special tea party.
Nicola Amies, director of early learning at Nurseryworks Family Solutions, said, 'Aziza, Heather and Frances have shown us that we must look and listen to the images of what nursery life means to the most important stakeholders in daycare today. A camera in the hands of young children is empowerment.'
Nursery World editor Liz Roberts added, 'Finding out children's thoughts and feelings about their childcare is now recognised as crucially important. Using photography to gain a child's-eye view is one of the best ways for early years professionals to do this, as the winners' lovely shots show.'
Stephen Burke, director of the Daycare Trust, said, 'The winning photos show how much children enjoy their nurseries. Quality childcare must provide children with a range of learning experiences. We must learn from how children view their childcare to better meet their needs.'
The winning entries together with photos by children from Nurseryworks Family Solutions nurseries were also on display at the museum.
