Wokingham

Wokingham District Council has extended the deadline for this year’s Childcare Provider Awards and local people have until Friday October 13 to get their nominations in.

The annual Wokingham awards seek to recognise and acknowledge excellence in childcare practice across the district. This is an opportunity for local people to nominate childminders, staff and volunteers in nurseries, pre-school groups and out-of-school clubs across the Wokingham district for an award and say ‘thank you’ for their dedication and professionalism. The awards also aim to inspire those working in childcare and help their professional development.

Following on from the success of last year’s Wokingham event at the Hilton St Anne’s Manor Hotel, the awards for 2005/06 recognise the high quality of care in the district, which benefits not only children and parents but also the wider community. The awards this year will be presented at a special ceremony at the Flavell Suite, Sindlesham Court, Sindlesham on Thursday November 2. In addition, all those childcarers who have achieved qualifications or quality assurance accreditation will also be recognised.

Wokingham Parents, employers, staff and voluntary management committees themselves are being encouraged to make nominations to say why their childcare provider deserves to receive an award. There are 17 different categories of awards for:

* Commitment to professional development (three awards)

* A member of staff or supervisor working in an out-of-school club, pre-school and private daycare or crèche (four awards)

* The voluntary committee running an out-of-school-club or pre-school (two awards)

* Childminder of the year (three awards)

* Recognition of new initiatives in childcare (one award)

* Childcare volunteer of the year (one award)

* Overcoming adversity (one award)

There are also two special presentations being made for:

* Recognition for young achiever

* Recognition for outstanding service to childcare in the Wokingham district

Many of the Wokingham out-of-school clubs and pre-school groups are run by voluntary committees of parents or other volunteers who give up their time to provide high quality childcare and this is a chance for them to get some well-deserved recognition for the often unsung work that they do.

Janice Thomas, Wokingham early years and childcare business manager, said: “The annual awards are hugely popular and I hope that parents will take up the opportunity to nominate their nursery, pre-school, childminder or out-of-school club and staff for a Childcare Provider Award. We are very aware that many childcare providers go beyond what is expected of them and really make a difference to the lives of children and their families. Now is the time to honour them and get your nominations in!”

Nomination forms are available from childcare providers, or by visiting the Wokingham District Council website at www.wokingham.gov.uk or by calling the childcare team on (0118) 974 6132.

Wokingham District Council