Northamptonshire County Council and Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership came first in the category 'creating the workforce' for its guidance and mentoring scheme. Early years manager Kate Yates said the number of people completing training in early years, childcare and playwork had risen significantly since it was introduced 18 months ago.
The scheme tries to match early years practitioners with appropriate training at the right level and helps them find jobs by arranging work placements. Those who found it particularly beneficial were new recruits to the sector and people returning after a career break.
The awards, organised by the Sure Start Unit in association with the Daycare Trust, covered eight categories ranging from 'enabling children's learning' to 'joining up with local partners'.
Childcarers in Stoke-on-Trent won two awards. The EYDCP came first for 'promoting children's well-being' with a campaign to promote healthy eating. EYDCPmanager Loretta Bos- well said she was delighted with the award and the continuation of the project would 'ensure that nutrition and oral health remain high on the agenda and contribute to the well-being of children in the city'.
Stoke-on-Trent's Sure Start Abbey Bucknall won the award for 'Supporting parents' for a programme based at Mitchell High School in Bucknall. The project helps lone parents into work by providing training opportunities and support with childcare and transport.
But the judges made no awards in the 'Making childcare sustainable'
category, because they said many of the winners were doing this by working together to support families and providing quality services.
Winners received their awards at a reception in London hosted by Cherie Booth and Sure Start minister Catherine Ashton on 9 December.
Congratulating the winners Ms Booth said, 'The awards recognise the hard work and commitment of all the people in local communities who are helping ensure children get the best start in life.' Baroness Ashton said the winners were helping to make the Government's vision of affordable and early education a reality in their local area.