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The Daycare Trust has announced the winners of its Partners in Excellence awards, which recognise innovation in the delivery of early years, children’s and family support services across England.

Presenting the awards, Cherie Booth QC praised the finalists and winners for their achievements and successes in bringing about positive change for children and families. “We are putting the accent firmly on excellence,” she said. “Nothing less is good enough for our children.”

Adding his congratulations, director general for children, young people and families at the Department for Education and Skills Tom Jeffery described the projects as “an inspiration for us all to continue to work together to give our children the best possible start to life”.

The winners are:

Integrating Children’s Services
Sure Start for all Islington’s children, London
Willows centre for children, Portsmouth
Achieving with Partners
Delivering maternity services in Barking and Dagenham through Sure Start Children’s Centres
Sure Start for Dads in Stockton-on-Tees
Children’s Centres North and West Northumberland
Better Information to more Parents
Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Children’s Information Services
KITES Family Information Service, East Sussex County Council
Promoting Children’s Wellbeing
Northumberland County Council Parenting Initiatives Project
Sure Start Beeston Hill, Leeds
Empowering Parents
The Rural Areas Play Project, East Hants
NCH. Sure Start Children’s Centre, Newbiggin-by-the-Sea

Equality and Inclusion
‘Friends’ volunteers project, Sure Start Foleshill Children’s Services, Coventry
Health & fitness for ethnic minority women, Sure Start Rotherham Central Children’s Centre & United Multi Cultural Centre
Enabling Children’s Learning
The Orchard Day Nursery Outdoor Learning Programme, West Berkshire
Suffolk County Council’s ‘Art in the Early Years’
Transforming the children’s workforce
Workforce Development for Derbyshire Private, Voluntary and Independent sector
Creating a workforce for Early Years Excellence in Blackburn with Darwen
Building for Sure Start
Sure Start Newbiggin Hall Children’s Centre
Willow Children’s Centre, Islington, London