Nursery World Awards 2020 - Meet the Judges

Purnima Tanuku is chief executive of UK membership association, National Day Nurseries Association. Purnima works closely with ministers and senior civil servants and is a major contributor to the policy debate across the UK. She was awarded an OBE in 2011.

Anne O’Connor taught in early years settings in London primary schools for more than 20 years before becoming an independent consultant, trainer and writer. She is an associate of Early Education. She also co-founded and is a principal consultant with Primed for Life Training Associates.

David Wright is an early years teacher and co-owner of the Paint Pots Nurseries group in Southampton. He is an advocate for male inclusion in early years settings, and is co-author of the 2018 published book Men in Early Years Settings: Building a Mixed Gender Workforce.

Rebecca Martland is an independent early years trainer, EYP, contributor to Early Years Educator magazine and a three-times Outstanding registered childminder, with more than 18 years’ experience. She is co-founder of a thriving local childminding association, Magic Minders.

Di Chilvers is an advisory consultant in early childhood education, having worked in the sector for more than 39 years as a nursery nurse, teacher, senior lecturer, adviser and National Strategies regional adviser. She has written several books and has created an assessment tool called the Development Map.

Dr Stella Ram-Louis is a freelance early years trainer and consultant who has also worked as a nursery nurse, nursery manager and NNEB course co-ordinator. She has an MA, a doctorate in education and is a Froebelian-trained travelling tutor. Stella has a strong interest in schemas.

Edwina Revel is the programme director for nutrition at Early Start Group, supporting nurseries to achieve standards of nutrition excellence. She has developed Association for Nutrition certified training covering menu planning and nutrition for young children.

Helen Moylett is an early years trainer, consultant and writer. While working for National Strategies she helped to develop the EYFS. Helen co-authored Development Matters with Nancy Stewart and in 2019 was the recipient of Nursery World’s Lifetime Achievement Award.

Jane Comeau is former chair of PACEY and has just received an MBE. Jane has been a registered childminder since 1995 and was awarded Outstanding in all areas in her last three inspections. She graduated with a BA in early years in 2010 and gained Early Years Professional Status in 2011.

Jane Harrison is director of Red Hen Day Nursery, which has gained national accolades for providing outstanding provision on a working farm. Jane has a first-class degree in early childhood and is an advocate for children’s healthy lifestyles. Her nursery has received three Nursery World Awards.

Dr Jo Verrill is managing director of Ceeda, an independent agency specialising in early years education and childcare research. Jo has worked with the sector for 17 years, conducting research to inform grassroots practice, local and national government policy.

Judith Twani is a passionate trainer with a background in teaching in the UK and in South Africa. She has held a range of roles within her local authority, including as a children’s centre teacher and consultant, a trainer and NVQ assessor. She is co-author of Let’s Talk about Maths.

Kate Tyler is a social media expert and director of Shake Social – an online marketing agency with early years expertise. Kate, who has written a monthly column for Nursery World, works with nurseries across the UK to help them implement effective digital strategies.

Laura Henry-Allain is an early education specialist who has just received an MBE. She is the creator of the characters JoJo and Gran Gran, currently featured on CBeebies. She is the series producer and a BBC consultant. Laura is also vice-president of The British Association for Early Childhood.

Linda Keats is an Early Years Foundation Stage adviser who has worked in the sector for more than 25 years. Working with children from birth to three in nurseries and pre-schools, she is passionate about promoting early intervention and rich, enabling environments.

Nancy Stewart is a trainer, consultant and writer who advised the Tickell review and co-produced Development Matters. She is currently project lead for the Early Years Coalition development of Birth to Five Matters – guidance by the sector, for the sector.

Neil Leitch is chief executive of the Early Years Alliance, the largest early years membership organisation in England. Neil has held several senior posts within the commercial environment. Until 2006, he chaired the Finance Industry Standards Association.

Penny Tassoni is an education consultant, author and trainer. She has written more than 30 books and is the author of the best-selling Practical EYFS Handbook. Penny is also president of early years organisation PACEY.

Phil Armstrong is head of Regional Development for the South of England and leads on international work for Early Excellence. Phil has worked for more than 20 years across the early years and primary sectors, including teacher, leader and headship positions.

Dr Sue Allingham is an independent consultant, author and trainer. Begining her early years career in the classroom, she went on to senior education roles in the late 1980s. Sue followed an MA with a doctorate, both in early years education, from Sheffield University.

Sarah Mackenzie is an early years trainer, EYP and operator specialising in group provision. With her passion for high quality pedagogy, Sarah is chief academic officer at N Family Club, a new and growing nursery group rethinking early education.

Julie Mountain is a specialist early years landscape designer and educator. She is former operations director at Learning through Landscapes, while her company, Play Learning Life, works alongside schools, settings and families to make the most of outdoor learning.

Wendy Scott is a Froebelian-trained teacher and received the NW Lifetime Achievement Award in 2009. Wendy is honorary president of TACTYC and served on the Nutbrown Review. Her wide-ranging experience includes working with the DfES, the British Council and UNICEF.

Sally Cave is headteacher of Guildford Nursery School and Family Centre in Surrey. She has previously worked as a consultant and as an early years regional advisor for National Strategies. Froebelian principles guide Sally’s work with children, parents and staff.

Liz Pemberton MA QTS is a former nursery manager who is now director of The Black Nursery Manager, which specialises in anti-racist training and consultancy for the early years education sector, promoting inclusive practice.

JUDGES FOR NANNY OF THE YEAR

Michelle Cusack was awarded NW’s Professional Nanny of the year in 2019. Michelle holds a BA (Hons) in Childhood in the Early Years.

Dr Janet Rose is Principal of Norland College and has had a long standing career in early years training and provision.

Chris Lawrence is head of Chiltern Nursery and Training College. She has worked for the college for more than 20 years.

• Read all about our Nursery World Awards 2020 winners in our digital magazine at https://reader.exacteditions.com/issues/91928/spread/1