Asking children to take photographs of their favourite things about childcare yielded some fascinating insights in this year's Nursery World/Daycare Trust competition to celebrate National Childcare Week (6-12 June).
Around 350 entrants pressed the button and told us what they loved about their childcare. Carers, friends, food and fun were top of the list for all ages, with pictures ranging from people in various poses, to high- and low-tech toys, and even a tin of peaches!
Outdoor play was important to many children. 'I like the garden because I can play with all the toys. It's so nice outside,' said four-year-old Liya.
Dinosaurs are a perennial favourite: 'Dancing like dinosaurs, roar, yeah, roar,' as three-year-old Liam put it.
Carers featured for various reasons. 'I'm taking a picture of Rebecca because she has nice earrings in today,' said five-year-old Skye, while 11-year-old Lilli said her playworker 'can be pathetic, but really he's soooo cool'. Feelings about friends were summed up by eight-year-old Yasmin: 'I like Jessica because she always plays with me she is my best friend and she will always be my best friend.'
The difficult task of picking the winners fell to Nursery World editor Liz Roberts, Daycare Trust chair Lisa Harker, Marijana Sevic from Daycare Trust, and well-known children's author Debi Gliori. Liz says, 'We got a true picture of how children see their world and what matters to them about their childcare. Cameras are a great resource for finding out children's views while having fun.'
Prizes of cameras and vouchers for the winning children and gift vouchers for their carers will be awarded by Debi Gliori on 10 June at a special ceremony to be held at London Zoo.
UNDER 5 YEARS
1st prize
Katie Perkins
Age 3, St Georges Day Nursery, Hanworth Park, Middlesex 'My friend Felicity'
2nd prize
Leila Stephenson
Age 3, Childminder Davina Adams, Bradford, West Yorkshire 'I like songs'
3rd prize
Tally Buick
Age 3, Smallworld Nursery, Brechin, Angus 'I like babies. Baby Georgia is my favourite baby at nursery'
5-7 YEARS
1st prize
Callum Evans
Age 6, Childminder Heidi Evans, Reading 'My mummy's a childminder - it's never boring at my house'
2nd prize
Jacob Davis
Age 7, the Cabin out-of-school club, Newbridge Junior School, Bath 'I like building. This is a milky way for my cars'
3rd prize
Caitlin Skene
Age 5, Sunshine Holiday Club, Sheffield
'I like playing with the horses, because they look like real horses'
8-12 YEARS
1st prize
Ella Woodcock
Age 11, Phoenix Activity Club, Bath
'Carer Sarah's the leader of Phoenix Pack. Fran's a wham, and a whizz with pasta bake. Monique - she's just unique'
2nd prize
Cate Huckle
Age 10, Pippins Holiday Club, Colchester
'Sue - she is fun, cool and always smiles. She is always there for me and I trust her'
3rd prize
Dominic Cairns
Age 10, Childminder Davina Adams, Bradford, West Yorkshire 'I like my friends because they are funny'