Christina Noton (centre) receives her award at the Nursery World Awards 2018. She is pictured with judge Joseph Wright and awards presenter Lisa Potts.

Nursery manager Christina Noton is celebrating winning a major national title for her early years teaching skills – less than a year after gaining her early years teaching qualification.

Christina, who is the manager at the Snapdragons Nursery in Atworth near Melksham, Wiltshire, was declared Early Years Teacher of the Year at the Nursery World 2018 awards, held in London in September.

Christina completed her Early Years Initial Teacher Training programme with Best Practice Network just last year. Her talent didn’t go unnoticed when she achieved the status to become an early years teacher - she was declared an outstanding practitioner.

Nicky Oram of Best Practice Network was Christina’s personal tutor. She said: “I observed her teaching and care for children at her own setting and while she was on a school-based placement during the training programme, she was very impressive. What struck me most was the intuitive ways in which she worked with the children, responding to them sensitively and effectively. This award is very well deserved.”

Christina was nominated for the awards, organised by national early years magazine Nursery World, by colleagues at Snapdragons.

“I couldn’t believe I’d won,” said Christina. “I love my job and love being with the children, supporting them as they develop. That’s enough of a reward for me but it is lovely to get this level of recognition.”

Christina did her PGCE after studying early years education at university and had set her heart on a career as a primary school reception class teacher. But soon after she started working at Snapdragons she decided that she most wanted to work with pre-school children. She soon impressed and after completing her early years teacher training programme she was promoted to manager.

The award judges praised Christina for her “willingness to embrace new ideas, sharing them with her team, and her close partnership with parents which helps all children to access nursery life to the full.”