Categories & Criteria
Organisations
Please note that after preliminary screening, it may be determined by the judges that a site visit is necessary to determine a winner.
A Nursery of the Year
Open to registered settings offering full daycare (private, voluntary or maintained sector)
B Pre-School of the Year
Open to registered settings offering sessional care and education
C School Early Years Team of the Year
Open to Early Years Foundation Stage or equivalent teams in maintained nursery schools and primary schools.
For each of the three Organisation categories above, the following information is essential to your entry:
Details
• Type of provision
• Number of places
• Age range of children
• Name of manager/head (qualifications held)
• Number of staff
Provision (no more than 500 words for each part)
• Describe your setting’s approach to care and learning in the Early Years Foundation Stage or equivalent (up to 3 photographs may also be sent)
• How do you involve a) children’s views b) parents and
c) the local community in your provision
• Give a brief summary of how you would like to develop your service in the future
• Summarise the strengths of your setting and why you believe it should win this award
Supporting evidence
• Provide a copy of your most recent inspection reports
• Provide brief supporting statements from two parents who use your provision
• If applicable, provide a brief supporting statement from your early years advisor or similar
• Give details of any quality assurance scheme, Investors in People award etc that you hold
D Nursery Chain of the Year
Open to UK nursery groups with three or more settings
Details
• Number of nurseries
• Total number of registered places
• Age range of children
• Number of staff
Provision (no more than 500 words for each part)
• What makes your nursery chain a successful business?
• How do you ensure high-quality care and education across the group?
• Describe your approach to staff development
• Give a brief summary of your group’s plans for development
• Summarise the strengths of your organisation and why it should win this award
Supporting evidence
• Provide examples of your most recent inspection reports
• Provide brief supporting statements from two parents who use your provision
• Give details of any quality assurance scheme, Investors in People award etc that you hold
E Local Authority Early Years Team of the Year
Open to any local authority team working to provide or support early years and childcare services
Details
• Number of staff in team
• Job titles of staff
Service (no more than 500 words for each part)
• Describe the work of the nominated team
• Give examples of how the team has improved services and outcomes for young children in the area
• Why does this team deserve to win the award?
Supporting evidence
• Provide brief supporting statements from two people/organisations who have benefited from your team’s work
• Provide a brief supporting statement from your children’s services director or similar
• Give details of any awards or accolades your team has gained
Individuals
F Nursery Manager of the Year
Open to any nursery manager in a full daycare or sessional setting
G. Early Years Professional of the Year
Nominees must have gained Early Years Professional Status (EYPS) through one of the recognised pathways
H. Nursery Practitioner of the Year
Open to any qualified practitioner working in an early years setting, in the maintained, private or voluntary sectors
I Newcomer of the Year
Open to early years practitioners with less than one year’s experience at closing date
J Trainer of the Year
Open to anyone responsible for early years and childcare training in colleges, training companies or in-house for nursery groups etc
K Childminder of the Year
Nominees must be registered childminders.
For each of the above Individual categories the following information is essential to your entry:
Details
• Name of nominee
• Job title and establishment
• Name of person nominating (if different)
• Email address for nominee
Nomination (no more than 400 words for each part)
• Briefly describe the role of the nominee
• Give examples of how your nominee’s work has made a difference to children, families and/or colleagues
• Why does this person deserve to win the award?
Supporting evidence
• Give details of nominee’s qualifications, training, awards etc
• Provide two brief supporting statements from parents, manager or colleagues etc
• Childminders should supply a copy of their latest inspection report
Initiatives
L Working with Parents Award
Open to services or projects that support parents, enhance their understanding of their children’s learning and development, or improve children’s outcomes through involvement and co-operation with families
M Inclusive Practice Award
Open to services or projects that promote equality of opportunity and the best outcomes for all children, regardless of ethnic origin, special needs, background or disadvantage
N Team Development Award
Open to early years and childcare service providers who have built a high-quality staff team through good practice in recruitment and retention, training and career development
O. Business Development Award
For a new launch of or significant expansion to an early years service in the past 12 months. For example, starting a new nursery; rejuvenating a failing early years setting; opening new branches of a nursery group; adding new services such as out-of-school care or a baby room.
For each of the above Initiative categories the following information is essential to your entry:
Details
• Name of initiative
• Type of organisation
• Number of children catered for
• Age range of children catered for
Initiative (no more than 500 words for each part)
• Describe the nominated service
• Give examples of how this initiative has improved outcomes for young children and their families
• Why should this nomination win the award?
Supporting evidence
• Provide brief supporting statements from two people who have benefited from this service
• Give details of any Ofsted reports, quality assurance schemes, Investors in People etc relevant to this service
P Nursery Food Award
Please note that after preliminary screening, it may be determined by the judges that a site visit is necessary to determine a winner. For this initiative category, the following information is essential for your entry:
Details
• Name of setting
• Type of organisation
• Number of children catered for
• Age range of children catered for
Initiative (no more than 500 words for each part)
• Describe your setting’s approach to providing healthy meals and snacks
• Describe your setting’s approach to meal times and snack times
• Describe how your setting involves children in cooking and learning about food
Supporting evidence
• Provide three weeks of your setting’s menus
• Enclose your food policy
• Provide two brief supporting statements from parents, local authority advisor or similar
• Give details of any awards or quality standards for food that your setting has achieved
Q. Enabling Environments Award ****NEW CATEGORY****
Open to early years settings who have developed elements of their provision to create stimulating, child-centred learning environments in line with the principles of the EYFS. This could be any aspect or area of the setting, including outdoor area, forest school, baby room, movement play area, free flow, children's access to self-chosen activities etc.
For this category, the following information is essential to your entry:
Details
• Name of setting
• Type of organisation
• Number of children catered for
• Age range of children catered for
Enabling Environment (no more than 400 words for each part)
• Describe the area or approach, and why and how you developed it
• Describe how the environment is used in your daily practice
• Describe the benefits for children and staff
Supporting evidence
• Provide a couple of brief supporting statements from parents or local authority advisors etc if available
• Give details of any Ofsted reports, quality assurance schemes, Investors in People etc relevant to this entry
• Provide photographs or plans to illustrate the environment
Early Years Equipment
R Birth to threes – new launch
S Birth to threes – tried and tested favourite
T Three to fives – new launch
U Three to fives – tried and tested favourite
Open to early years resources and equipment that support children’s learning, development and enjoyment in the Early Years Foundation Stage or equivalent. New launches should have been first offered for sale since January 2009. Please note that you may be asked for product samples
after the initial judging.
For each of the above Early Years Equipment categories the following information is essential to your entry:
Details
• Category
• Name and price of product
• Name of company
• Contact details (name, address, phone number, e-mail)
• Age range of product
Nomination (no more than 400 words for each part)
• Give a brief description of the product with learning potential, examples of use, specifications etc (provide pictures)
• Why does this product deserve to win the award?
Supporting evidence
• Provide brief testimonials from two customers who have used this product
• Give details of any kitemark, certification or awards that this product holds
• Owing to storage constraints, we cannot take samples – only images may be provided. However, the judges may request to see samples. You will be notified of this, with full delivery instructions.
