Amanda Brown has worked her way up from part-time nursery nurse while studying at university to room leader, deputy manager and finally manager of Kids Planet in Warrington, earning the admiration and respect of parents and staff on the way.
The private day nursery is registered for 94 places and Amanda manages a team of 19 staff. She leads by example and always makes time to greet parents and children as they enter the nursery. She is room-based every morning, helping settle children in and providing them with a healthy breakfast.
She leads her team in making improvements by carrying out regular one-to-ones, staff appraisals, meetings and training sessions. She also takes the time to encourage and support others to reach their potential and become managers and deputy managers.
The nursery has taken part in the two-year-old funding pilot and Amanda has gone out of her way to ensure the scheme works for the children and their parents by really welcoming the families to the setting - making sure the children have the opportunity to experience new and exciting things while supporting the parents too.
Amanda is a strong leader and is always available for her staff or parents. She has also seen the nursery through some periods of development, from changing from Birth to Threes to the EYFS, to the nursery becoming part of a group. Throughout these times she worked hard to ensure staff and parents felt involved and well supported.
She maintains a high level of professionalism, makes time for others, shares ideas and helps to implement them throughout the chain. Above all, Amanda recognises there is always room for improvement and is constantly looking for ways to build on the already high standard of provision on offer.
Highly commended
Clare Crowther, Norland Nursery, Bath
Whatever the needs of the child, Clare will always strive to meet them. She is a visionary, inspiring her staff to think of ways to broaden the horizons of the children.
Paula Williams, Bertram Nursery Group, Holyrood Nursery, Princes Dock, Liverpool
Paula has created an outstanding early years service, meeting and exceeding the needs of the children and families attending the setting. A recent Ofsted inspection said she had 'an extremely ambitious vision'.
Finalists
Jackie Bennett, Bishop Auckland College Nursery
Pamella Seear, The Tadpoles Nursery, Essex
Sarah Jane Smith, kidsunlimited, Epping
Marie Beth Tatersall, Acorns Pre-school, Cumbria
Sian Wride, Treetops Nursery, Ashbourne
Criterion
Open to any nursery manager in a full daycare or sessional setting.
