Since launching the Totem Pole in 2009, Mary Barlow's renown has grown nationally and the programmes that take place in the active learning environment of her Grantham headquarters are universally praised as being innovative and inspiring.
The judges were particularly impressed with the range of courses that Mary offers and the evidence that was produced to highlight their impact on young children's lives.
The foundation of her work is the Beginning with Babies programme, which is now highly regarded as a cornerstone programme for early years. The popularity of other sessions such as Fun on the Floor, the Tool Kit and an extensive range of bespoke and taster courses demonstrate that her underpinning approach to learning and best practice can energise practice and improve children's lives. The high take-up also shows that these courses are meeting the demands of local authority organisations and Ofsted.
Mary does not set out to intellectualise but enables people to embrace best practice through their own active learning, and come away with new ideas. At her training centre, boasting a role-play nursery, a marketplace selling resources and a wooded outdoor area, people enjoy learning on-site and can develop their practice both inside and out.
One nursery owner says, 'Mary has worked with many of our managers and staff and has led to a complete change of culture within our baby rooms, driven by her enthusiasm for, and knowledge of, her subject.'
Another happy customer says, 'Staff gain the ability to capture awe and wonder and inspire children's imaginations.'
In the words of one judge, 'Mary is a clear winner, due to her drive to set up a training and resource centre that meets the needs of such a wide range of learners.'
HIGHLY COMMENDED
Alice Sharp, Experiential Play, Glasgow
Judges praised the inventive and imaginative approach of Alice's training and singled out Walking with Fragile Families as succeeding in its ambitious remit to make a difference to families' lives.
FINALISTS
Annie Cook, Crechendo, London
Penny Hackney, Professional Training Solutions, Surrey
Tracey McEwan, Minerva People, Dumfries
Criterion: Open to anyone responsible for early years and childcare training in colleges, training companies or in-house nursery groups.
Sponsored by KID ease.