News

 

Voice: the union for education professionals has announced that Debbie Darnborough, from Church Stretton in Shropshire, is the Professional Nanny of the Year 2008.

 

Debbie Darnborough, Church Stretton, Shropshire (Date of birth: 28.01.1982)

Debbie is an experienced nanny currently caring for three children aged 7, 4 and 5 months. Debbie has been a nanny for eight years following the completion of her NNEB (Diploma in Nursery Nursing).  Since qualification, she has gained a BA (Hons) Early Childhood and an Advanced Diploma in Psychology.  She has worked for her current family for just over a year.  

 

 

Second: Sophie Mitchell, Morden, Surrey (Date of birth: 28.01.1981)

Sophie is an experienced nanny currently caring for two children aged 2½ and 1 year.

 

 

Third: Filsane Gure, Enfield, Middlesex (Date of birth: 01.01.1973)

Filsane is an experienced nanny currently caring for three children aged 7, 5 and 3 years.

 

 

The result was announced on Tuesday 29 July 2008 during Voice’s Annual Conference in Daventry.

 

The First Prize, a four-star premium two-night weekend break for two, was donated by Greycoat Placements Limited. The winning nanny also receives free membership of Voice for a year.

 

The Second Prize, top price West End theatre tickets and dinner for two, was donated by Nannytax.

 

The Third Prize, afternoon tea for two at the Ritz, was donated by Norland College.

 

The Award was presented by the current Professional Nanny of the Year, Heidi McFadyen  (pdf). Heidi was presented with a certificate by Voice’s Senior Professional Officer (Childcare)Tricia Pritchard.

 

Sponsorship of the celebratory lunch was donated by the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC).

 

Left to right: Sophie Mitchell (2nd), Debbie Darnborough (1st), Filsane Gure (3rd).

 

Click here for more photos

 

Notes

 

The Professional Nanny of the Year Award, which was launched in 2004, was created to recognise the highly professional, important role nannies play in providing high quality, safe and flexible childcare to thousands of families throughout the UK. It is hoped that this Award will significantly raise the profile of professional nannies, giving them the recognition they deserve.

 

Entry criteria: Candidates were nominated by their current/previous employer and had to meet a number of entry criteria, including a childcare qualification at a minimum Level III standard, a minimum of two years’ recent nannying experience, a current full Enhanced CRB disclosure and a Paediatric First Aid Certificate. Further details of the entry criteria (Word).

 

The closing date for this year’s award was Thursday 23 May 2008.  Interviews took place at Chiltern Collage, Reading, in June.

 

Professional Nanny of the Year Website: www.voicetheunion.org.uk/nannyofyear  

 

The Voice Annual Conference 2008 runs from Monday 28 to Wednesday 30 July 2008 at the Barceló Daventry Hotel, Northamptonshire.

 

Voice: the union for education professionals was previously known as PAT, incorporating the Professional Association of Nursery Nurses (PANN).

 

ends

 

Contacts for further information: Voice Senior Professional Officer Tricia Pritchard (triciapritchard@voicetheunion.org.uk) or Voice Press Office (pressoffice@voicetheunion.org.uk): 01332 372 337. 

 

Mobile/Conference Press Office: 0794 871 0413 or pressoffice@voicetheunion.org.uk