A NELSON and Colne College student is celebrating after being shortlisted for a national child care award.

Anna Romanska, 26, of Manor Street, Nelson has been named as a finalist in the national Heinemann and Nursery World Child Care Student of the Year Award after using her native Polish language alongside English to help children in nurseries around Pendle to settle.

The mother-of-one who moved to Nelson from Poland two years ago is studying for a Level 3 Diploma in Child Care and Education and juggles her college work around caring for her three-year-old son.

Anna’s tutor, Carol Dobson put her forward for the award, she said: “"Anna has been an exemplary student.

"She has an exceptional work ethic and a real thirst for knowledge.

“In her practical placements she has always been outstanding, using her first language, Polish, to help the nurseries to work effectively with parents and help the young children to get the most out of their nursery experience.”

In the next round of the competition organised by Pearson Education Limited, Anna must submit a piece of written work which demonstrates her ability to work with children and evaluate her own practice.

She will then travel to Oxford, where she will be judged in the grand finals by three top childcare specialists.

Anna said: “I was really surprised when Carol said that she wanted to put me forward for the award.

"I was shocked to find out that I had been shortlisted from nominees across the UK, it is a real honour.”

"The winning student will receive a cheque for £350 and a year’s free subscription to Nursery World magazine and the winning college will get £350 of Heinemann vouchers.