Early Years 2009 awards

EYE magazine is proud to announce the Early Years 2009 Awards aimed at highlighting and rewarding excellence amongst early years professionals.

Entries are invited from individuals or members of a team in the following major categories:

Lifetime achievement award

The accolade will be awarded to someone who has made an outstanding contribution to early years over many years. Previous winners include prestigious names such as Francis Mary Blight, Pauline Trudell, Tina Bruce, Jean Ensing CBE, Professor Lesley Abbott, Lesley Staggs, Kate Gooding and Anne Nelson.

Early years professional of the year

This award is open to all early years practitioners who have been awarded Early Years Professional Status (EYPS), and who can demonstrate that they have used their experience in gaining EYPS to make a real and lasting difference to the setting in which they work, and to the children in their care. Written evidence should be provided to support the nomination, including at least one from the individual's manager, or local authority. Up to four photos can be sent to support the nomination.

Birth-to-three setting of the year

This award will recognise a team which has provided exceptional care over the last year for children from birth to three years of age. Written evidence should be accompanied by no more than four photographs.

Foundation stage setting of the year

This award will recognise a maintained nursery school or a nursery class/reception class or foundation stage unit in a school which can demonstrate exceptional educational provision over the last year for three-to-five year olds. Written evidence may be accompanied by no more than four photographs.

Daycare setting of the year

This award will recognise a setting which can demonstrate that its team has worked hard to achieve exceptional full daycare provision over the last year. Entrants should be able to show how they have worked to meet the individual needs of the children in their care. Written evidence may be accompanied by no more than four photographs.

Creative setting of the year

This award will recognise a team which has been involved in a single creative project of excellent quality or which has worked tirelessly, in a variety of ways over the last year, to release its own creative potential and that of their children. This may or may not have involved artists in residence and can be in relation to any aspect of creativity. Written evidence can be accompanied by no more than four photos.

Outdoor setting of the year

This award will recognise a setting which can provide evidence that the team has significantly improved the quality of the provision for children's learning out of doors over the last year. Written evidence may be accompanied by no more than four photos.

Inclusive setting of the year

This award will recognise a setting which can show its team has worked over the last year to develop inclusive practice. Teams entering this category should provide evidence in writing to show how they have worked to reduce barriers in learning to enable all children to reach their full potential in their setting.

Family friendly setting of the year

This award will recognise a setting which can demonstrate exceptional partnership with families over the last year - entrants should be able to show how they have enabled families to feel comfortable within their setting and how they have engaged them with their children's development and learning. Written evidence may be accompanied by no more than four photos.

Childminder of the year

This category is open to all registered childminders in Britain who work in all aspects of daycare, whether this is a local authority, health authority, independent setting or even with an individual family. The deserving winner will be someone who has amply demonstrated the commitment for the children in his or her care and who enthusiastically encourages children's all round development.

How to apply

Apply online or download an application form.

Closing date for all entries is Saturday 1st August 2009

Click here to view 2008 Winners