Early years 2009 awards apply online

The awards are open to any early years professional and can be entered by the individual or through nomination by a colleague.

Entries should take the form of a nomination statement of no more than 500 words explaining why the nominee should win the particular category.

Before submitting an online entry, applicants must first obtain a supporting statement of up to 100 words from the appropriate line manager verifying that the nominee has achieved everything described in his/her nomination statement. The supporting statement should be completed, together with the contact details of the person giving the statement.

A full list of the entry criteria for the early years 2009 awards can be viewed below.

Enter online

To enter or nominate a colleague for the early years 2009 awards, simply fill in the form below.

1. Enter category

I/we wish to nominate a colleague/enter the following award category (please tick)
Lifetime achievement award
Early years professional of the year
Birth-to-three setting of the year
Foundation stage setting of the year
Daycare setting of the year
Creative setting of the year
Outdoor setting of the year
Inclusive setting of the year
Family-friendly setting of the year
Childminder of the year

2. Nominee's details

3. Nomination statement*

4. Supervisor/manager's details


Please note that we will only contact the supervisor/manager in the event the nominee is short-listed for an award.

5. Supervisor/manager's supporting statement*

Closing Date for entries – August 1st, 2009

Entry criteria

  1. Entry is open to early years professionals individually or as members of a team or setting, as applicable, working with children aged from nought to five. Applicants may come from either the state or independent sector.
  2. Individual entries should be made either by the individual himself/herself or through the nomination of a colleague. The entry should be supported by a statement from a playgroup leader, head teacher, nursery/early years centre manager, or early years co-ordinator.
  3. Entries for any of the "Setting of the year" categories should contain a statement signed by an appropriate executive member of an educational authority or, in the case of the independent sector, the head of the institution or organisation.
  4. Entries for the "Lifetime achievement award" should indicate how many years involvement in the early years sector by the individual, whether that is as a practitioner, teacher, pioneer or leader.
  5. Each individual nomination must be supported by a statement of not more than 500 words. There should also be a supporting statement of no more than 100 words signed by the appropriate line manager as defined above. The judges may decide to disqualify entrants who submit more than the allotted words.
  6. No one employed or closely connected to EYE, or the Mark Allen Group, be that employee, spouse, close relative, or regular contributor or columnist, may enter the awards.
  7. In certain circumstances, if the standard of entries is considered not high enough, the judges may elect not to make a particular award.
  8. Short-listed candidates will be invited to a prestigious dinner and awards ceremony in Manchester on Saturday, September 19th, 2009 where the winners will be announced.
  9. The closing date for all entries is Saturday 1st August 2009
  10. The decision of the judges is final and no correspondence can be entered into.
  11. Judges will make their decisions based on the criteria requested only.