Childcare student Nikita Dennis is celebrating having been selected to go through to the final stage of the Heinemann and Nursery World Childcare Student of the Year Award. Unaware that course leader Sam Emsley had entered her work into the competition; Nikita was delighted to be told that she would be travelling to Oxford to take part in the final.

The annual awards recognise students who have performed brilliantly on their childcare courses and show the potential to be great childcare professionals. The finalists will be given a short task to complete before meeting childcare author Penny Tassoni and Nursery World Editor Liz Roberts. The winner will then be announced and the prizes will be presented by Marion Dowling, President of The British Association for Early Childhood Education. 
 

As well as completing her coursework, Nikita has thoroughly enjoyed her placements at Siddal Children’s Centre and St Mary’s Catholic Primary School in Halifax. “Doing this course was the best thing I ever did. I have enjoyed my placements so much and was really sad to leave” she said. “After College I am hoping to get a job in a nursery and in the future I would also like to travel abroad and work in Kid’s Clubs”.

Nikita has cerebral palsy and has been supported throughout her CACHE Level 3 Childcare and Education course by Learning Link Tutor Margaret Bernard. “Nikita has been a pleasure to work with.” said Margaret. “We have had a good working relationship and I am really pleased that she has done so well”.