A PARENT has praised the care given by a teacher her daughter regards as a "second mum."

Lizzie Jaw has nominated Jo Cheyne, her daughter's former reception teacher from Perdiswell Primary School, in the Worcester News Education Awards.

The awards, which we created in partnership with the University of Worcester, celebrate the hard work, quality, passion and dedication we know exist in our nurseries, schools and colleges.

People can be nominated across a series of categories including school of the year, headteacher of the year, special needs teacher of the year or newcomer of the year.

The winners will be announced at a black-tie gala event this summer.

Mrs Jaw put Mrs Cheyne forward for the Early Years Education award for the way she introduced her daughter Ida, who is now in year 1, to school life.

Mrs Jaw said: "She goes above and beyond her call of duty.

"She deserves a medal.

"She did extra special visits before they even began to visit the children in their nursery settings so she could get a good rapport with them before they started.

"She did special days with the children and a special meeting where she explained what was happening over the year.

"But the main emphasis wasn't on work it was on making sure the children were happy.

"My daughter loves her.

"She's almost like a second mum, she's like Mary Poppins. She's really amazing and really cares for the children."

Mrs Jaw said she decided to nominate the dedicated teacher because of the effort she felt she put into her job.

She added: "She really loves them and knows everything about them.

"Each day when you went to pick her up she would say if she'd had a good day or a bad day. She knows every single thing about the kids.

"I know all the parents would say the same."

Rachel Hughes, the school's head, said: "She's a very dedicated teacher working incredibly hard to do a fantastic job in reception.

"As an assistant headteacher for infants, she definitely goes above and beyond to ensure that the children have a wide range of exciting opportunities to allow them to make outstanding progress over the year."

Nominations are still open and anyone who has any contact with schools or community groups can nominate, whether that be parents, employers working with schools, governors or even pupils themselves.

There is also a Community Involvement Award for groups outside of schools that work with young people and a Fit for Life Award for those promoting sport.

For more information about making a nomination visit worcesternews.co.uk/educationawards/nominate

The closing date is Friday, April 7.