Alison Ruddock, Islington's Head of Early Years Service, has been awarded an OBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours List for services to children.
Alison commented: "I am absolutely delighted Islington Early Years Service has been recognised in this way and I'm very pleased to have played a part in it.
I think Islington's long term commitment to Early Years is beginning to reap tangible benefits for parents and children."
Alison has headed the Service for 12 years, delivering a pioneering approach, providing integrated care and education for pre-school children and babies. She has also worked in partnership with Children and Families Service and health services as well as the voluntary sector to improve children's life chances.
Under Alison's leadership, the service has developed a national reputation for excellence while the establishment of six Sure Start programmes across the borough made important impacts in their communities.
Most recently, she has led on the creation of the Council's Children's Centres programme that will see a network of 16 childrens centres developing integrated services for all families with children under 5 in the borough by 2008.
Cllr Ursula Woolley, executive member for Children and Young people said:
"Congratulations to Alison on this award - I know it's well deserved.
It is a mark of her dedication to the Early Years Service where she has transformed what Islington offers parents with young children into something which is both affordable and reaches the highest possible standards."
Alison's lifelong commitment to children's education and development, started in the 1970s when she worked on the voluntary management committee of her local community centre (Whittington Park) which ran a parent & toddler and playgroup. She was also on the management committee of the local adventure playground and the Islington Play Association.
Following two years as a primary school teacher for ILEA, she worked as a trainer and manager for play services in a number of London councils, joining Islington Council as Play Services Manager in 1991.
ENDS
Page Last Updated: 29 July 2008