‘Tireless Achievements and Excellence’ of Local Playworkers & Practitioners Celebrated at Annual Childcare Awards

The ‘tireless achievements and excellence’ of Wrexham’s childcare practitioners and playworkers have been celebrated at a glittering awards ceremony.

Organised in partnership between the Wrexham Family Information Service (WFIS) Childcare Team and Wrexham Glyndwr University, the annual Wrexham Childcare Awards brought together sector representatives from across the county borough.

Double Winners Acton Park Friends Club Inclusion and Children’s Choice

Over 100 people attended the ceremony at the Catrin Finch Centre, which saw 11 winners crowned and many more celebrated for their work

Those presenting awards included; Ian Lucas MP, Lesley Griffiths AM, Wrexham Glyndŵr University’s Vice Chancellor Professor Maria Hinfelaar and Associate Head of School Sue Horder.

In her address, Prof Hinfelaar noted the importance of the childcare sector continuing to strive for excellence.

She said: “This is a moment to celebrate the excellence and tireless achievements of Wrexham’s childcare sector. It is a sector which is at the same time highly challenging and extremely rewarding. It is crucially important for the peace of mind of parents and other carers that they can leave their children in a safe pair of hands.”

Sue Hoarder with Maria Costa – Childminder of the Year

“High quality standards must be met because every hour and every day spent in a childcare setting is another step along the way of that child’s development. They will come away with lasting impressions of how adults and other children behave towards them, and how they can socially interact with them. This should be a positive experience which will help to shape them as individuals. Who knows they may even make it to university here one day, as a result of that excellent start in life.”

The awards were founded in 2013 as Wrexham Council’s Childcare Team wanted a way to celebrate the excellence and achievements of the area’s childcare industry, and wanted to show their appreciation for the work that goes on in the arena across the county, to recognise and celebrate best practice, as well as promoting high quality and finding out what families really think about Wrexham’s childcare providers.

Ian Lucas MP with Victoria Out of School Club

Cllr Michael Williams, Lead Member for Children’s Services and Education, said: “The annual Childcare Awards are a very popular event and with good reason – it is excellent to see that those working in the childcare sector and properly recognised for the sterling work they put in.”

Among those to pick up trophies on the night were Acton Children’s and Family Centre, Groundwork North Wales, Marford Playgroup and the prestigious Nursery of the Year award was received by an emotional team from Peter Pan Day Nursery, who have been open for 27 years this year.

In presenting the Childminder of the Year award to Maria Costa who also won the award for Second Language Acquisition, Sue Horder, Associate Head Education, Families and Childhood said that she was “deeply humbled by the commitment made by Wrexham’s childcare workforce to the future of the children in their care”.

THE WINNERS WERE:

Playgroup of the Year – Bwlch Gwyn Cabin Crew
Nursery of the Year – Peter Pan Day Nursery
Out of School Club of the Year – Rhostyllen Out of School Club
Childminder of the Year – Maria Costa
Holiday Club of the Year – Groundwork North Wales
Celebrating Excellence – Pentre Kids Club
Children’s Choice – Acton Park Friends Club
Learner of the Year – Tracey Nevitt
Inclusive Practice Award – Acton Park Wraparound Care
Parents’ Choice – Victoria Out of School Club
Second Language Acquisition – Maria Costa

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