At 4Children's Children's Stars Awards last Thursday, Gerry Garvey washonoured as joint winner of the Newcomer category, alongside childminderMichelle Cotterill.
Mr Garvey told Nursery World he had decided to leave the army after 23years when he came home on leave from Afghanistan and his six-month-olddaughter Abigail, now five, failed to recognise him.
While in the army he had worked as a volunteer in an after-school clubfor five to-12-year-olds.
On leaving the forces, he initially ran training in the children'sservices department at Cumbria County Council.
Last year he approached the manager at Kinder Park Nursery in Carlisle,told them he wanted to do a childcare qualification and asked if therewas any chance of a job in the nursery.
Mr Garvey, who has been working at Kinder Park since September, said,'I'm just very thankful to the nursery. It was always my aspiration towork as frontline staff.'
'I've been very fortunate - I've worked in the baby room, with theunder-threes and pre-school. The kids love it - I'll get mucky and jumpin puddles with them!'
Gerry is studying for a Level 6 qualification in childcare, learning anddevelopment and is on his way to achieving Early Years ProfessionalStatus.
The Children's Stars Awards brought practitioners from across theworkforce to a gala event at Lloyd's of London, hosted by radio starNeil Fox. For a full list of all the winners visit www.4children.org.uk.