
Our eminent panel of judges met, discussed, debated, deliberated – and finally made their decisions about whom to shortlist for the Nursery World Awards 2011.
There were a record number of entries, and many were really impressive, so it’s a huge achievement to have got this far.
Thoughts now turn to the Awards evening on 30 September at the Lancaster London to see who carries off the prizes. Make sure you book your place now.
The shortlists for the Nursery World Awards 2011 (in alphabetical order) are:
ORGANISATIONS
Nursery of the Year
- Children’s House Nursery School, London
- Colourbox Montessori School, Newmarket, Suffolk
- Daisykins Day Nursery, Rugby, Warwickshire
- Red Hen Day Nursery, Louth, Lincolnshire
- The Butterworth Family Childcare and Education Team, Bury
Pre-School of the Year
- Attimore Barn Pre-School, Welwyn Garden City
- Chewton Common Playgroup, Christchurch, Dorset
- Clever Clogs Nursery, Belmont, Durham
- Sudbrook School, Petersham, Surrey
School Early Years Team of the Year
- Shortlist to be announced on the night
Nursery Chain of the Year
- Cranley Nursery, three settings in Edinburgh
- Dizzy Ducks Day Nurseries, four settings in Essex
- Mon Ami Children’s Day Nurseries, three settings in Lincolnshire
- Toybox Day Nurseries, three settings in Bedfordshire
- Christopher Robin, five settings in Surrey
Local Authority Early Years Team of the Year
- To be announced on the night
INDIVIDUALS
Nursery Manager of the Year
- Karen Lenoir, Busy Bees Childcare
- Mikki Parkes, Auden Place Community Nursery
- Marie Walker, Little Learners Nursery School
Early Years Professional of the Year
- Emma Morris, Kids Planet Day Nurseries
- Leanne Henderson, kidsunlimited
Nursery Practitioner of the Year
- Claire Blackman, Kid Ease
- Carla Brindley, Magic Nurseries
- Laura Hemsley, Kids Planet Day Nurseries
- Ricky Henry, Asquith Day Nurseries
- Wendy Whaley, Abracadabra Pre-School
- Holly Willshire, Woodlands Day Nursery
Newcomer of the Year
- Samantha Cleary, Kids Planet Day Nurseries
- Gemma Matyus, Asquith Day Nurseries
- Pookie Russell, Rose House Montessori
- Victoria Wilson, Hipperholme and Lightcliffe Day Nurseries
Trainer of the Year
- Mary Barlow, the Totem Pole
- Annie Cook, Crechendo
- Penny Hackney, Professional Training Solutions
- Tracey McEwan, Minerva People
- Alice Sharp, Experiental Play
Childminder of the Year
- Victoria Howard
- Lynda Milton
- Helen Wynne
INITIATIVES
Working with Parents
- Open Doors, Open Hearts and Open Minds, Blue Grass Purple Cow
- Boogie Mites
- Look Who’s Talking, In the Picture
- Men Behaving Dadly, Manor Park Children’s Centre
- Wellbeing and Involvement Outdoors with Families, Oxfordshire County Council
- Sparklers Private Nursery
Inclusive Practice
- Busy Bees Childcare, Canterbury
- Bellingham Community Nursery Group, London
- The Butterworth Family Childcare and Education Team, Bury
Team Development
- Footprints Nursery, Hartlepool
- Kid Ease, Hawkinge
- Kidsunlimited
Business Development
- Fit ‘n’ Fun Kids, Cornwall
- Sandfield Natural Play Centre, Merseyside
- Third Door, London
Nursery Food
- Blue Grass Purple Cow
- Kidsunlimited Watford
- Tootsies, Farnham, Surrey
- Willow Cottage Nursery, Oxfordshire
Enabling Environments
- Bright Beginnings Childcare Centre, Leeds
- Chewton Common Playgroup, Christchurch, Dorset
- Coton Green Pre-School Nursery, Tamworth
- East Street Children’s Centre, Oxfordshire
- Kidsunlimited Summerfields
- Little Learners Nursery School, Skegness
- Norland Nursery, Bath
Website of the Year
- Cranley Nursery, Edinburgh
- Oak House Nursery School, Ross-on-Wye
- Playdays, Lancashire
- Snapdragons Nurseries, Bath and Wiltshire
- The Teepee Day Nursery, Bracknell
- The Wigwam Day Nursery, Reading
RESOURCES
Birth to threes – new launch
- Baby Mouse House, TTS
- We’re Roaming in the Forest Sensory Tale, Play to Z
Three to Fives - new launch
- Talking Tubes Telephone Exchange, Commotion Group
- Just Because, Lion Children’s Books
- The Land of Me, Made in Me
- The Rokka and play accessories, Rokka Play
- Recordable Pegs, TTS
Three to fives – tried and tested favourite
- StoryPhones MP3 Audio System, Ameeca
- Flip Flop Painters, Asco
- Wooden Workbench, Findel
- Wheelie Painters, TTS
Staff resources
- ‘Risk and Adventure in Early Years Play’, Sage
- All About the Outdoors, Siren Films
- Yum, Yum, Yummy – Healthy Food All Year Round Resource Pack, Squash Nutrition
Many thanks to our sponsors – lead sponsor Asquith Day Nurseries, plus Caleeda, early years from the Consortium, Kid Ease, Morton Michel, Pound Gates and TTS for their support.