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A Norwich pre-school and a childminder in Sandwell win awards from the National Literacy Trust
13 Dec 2010
Magdalen Gates Pre-School in Norwich has been named as the National Literacy Trust’s ‘Early Reading Connects Setting of the Year 2010’ for their ongoing commitment to motivating local children and families love language, stories and reading.
Debbie Raheem, an individual childminder in Sandwell, has been named as the runner up in the competition. Debbie ensures all the children and families she works with enjoy reading, so the children can develop the literacy skills they need for a successful, happy and fulfilling life.
Rebecca Green, Project Manager, Early Reading Connects says:
“We have a network of over 3,500 early years settings, from childminders to children’s centres all across the UK. We received many inspiring entries into the competition but both Magdalen Gates Pre-School and Debbie Raheem were just exceptional, and are worthy winners.
As part of the governments’ Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum and requirements, early years settings are required to develop children’s literacy skills. Early Reading Connects is a supportive network which shares learning and inspirational ideas with other practitioners.”
Magdalen Gates Preschool win £300 to spend on literacy materials.
Runner-up Debbie Raheem wins a Young Writers' Role Play Pack (worth £144.99), courtesy of Child’s Eye Media.
Vicky Wilson from Magdalen Gates Pre-School in Norwich says:
“We’re thrilled to be named the Early Reading Connects setting of the year. The National Literacy Trust early years network has enabled us to evaluate our practice and make whole-setting changes to the way we support the literacy development of our children. Staff have worked really hard bringing their ideas to life and creating new resources. Early Reading Connects will continue to inspire us and we would wholeheartedly recommend every early years setting to join the network.”
Debbie Raheem says:
“Being the runner-up in the Early Reading Connects competition is wonderful. I have been working hard to help children to love literacy and the National Literacy Trust has been a great support. The network, the website and the resources have provided a lot of inspiration – thank you.”
Early Reading Connects is a network funded by the Department for Education and delivered by the National Literacy Trust. It helps early years settings to raise the profile of language and early reading. It does this by bringing together easy-to-access resources and great ideas from a wide range of early years organisations, settings and professionals. The network was launched in October 2008 by the National Literacy Trust and over 3,500 settings are members.
Pre-schools, nurseries, childminders and other early years settings can join Early Reading Connects by visiting www.earlyreadingconnects.org.uk
Ends
For more information please contact Anna Lindsay, Public Relations Officer at the National Literacy Trust on 020 7820 6256 or email Anna.Lindsay@literacytrust.org.uk
A full case study, images and interviews with Vicky Wilson, Debbie Raheem and Rebecca Green are available on request.
Notes to Editors
1. About Early Reading Connects
Based around the four guiding themes of the Early Years Foundation Stage, Early Reading Connects brings together easy-to-access resources and great ideas from a wide range of early years organisations, settings and practitioners to help practitioners to:
• Encourage a love of language, stories and reading with the babies, toddlers or young children in their care
• Engage and involve the children’s families in this process
• Share good practice and resources and build their confidence in supporting the children and their families
Joining Early Reading Connects is FREE. Practitioners are given a copy of the Early Reading Connects family involvement toolkit and membership of a network of practitioners from the full range of settings to help them share ideas and solve problems.
For more information and to sign up visit www.earlyreadingconnects.org.uk or email rebecca.green@literacytrust.org.uk
2. About the National Literacy Trust
The National Literacy Trust is an independent charity that transforms lives through literacy. We believe that society will only be fair when everyone has the literacy skills they need to communicate, to fulfil their potential and to contribute more to society. We campaign to improve public understanding of the vital importance of literacy, as well as delivering projects and working in partnership to reach those most in need of support.
To help us transform lives through literacy, you can make a donation or support our work. To find out how visit http://www.literacytrust.org.uk/support
National Literacy Trust is a registered charity no. 1116260, and a company limited by guarantee, no. 5836486. Registered in England and Wales. Registered address: 68 South Lambeth Road, London SW8 1RL. Tel: 020 7587 1842
