Congratulations to our NDNA Award winners for 2026
A huge well done to all of our NDNA Award winners and finalists this year, who celebrated the 2026 Awards at our ceremony on Friday 5 June at Titanic Hotel, Liverpool!
Our judging panel had some tough choices to make amongst our finalists, which is testament to the high quality entries we received in all categories. We received an incredibly high standard of entries which showcased the fantastic work and achievements from our member nurseries in the last 12 months. Thank you to every nursery for applying for one of our award categories this year.
The winner for each Award category is listed below:
Overall Nursery of the Year
Young Friends Kindergarten
Nursery of the Year North
Bright Beginnings Childcare Centre
Nursery of the Year Central
Charnwood Nursery & Pre-school
Nursery of the Year South
Young Friends Kindergarten
Nursery of the Year Scotland
Banbury Cross Nursery
Nursery of the Year Wales
Puddle Ducks (South Wales) Ltd
Nursery of the Year International
Falcon British Nursery – Abu Dhabi
Network of the Year
Leicestershire and Leicester City
Lifetime Achievement
Purnima Tanuku CBE
Outstanding contribution
Dan Thompson and Joanne Thompson – Millie’s Mark
Manager of the Year
Caroline Akker – Bee Curious Childcare,
Practitioner of the Year
Chloe O’Brien – Puffins of Exeter Mont Le Grand
Apprentice of the Year
Laura Walachowksa – Burbage Preschool
Community Support/Charity Fundraising
Bumbles Nursery
Excellence in Additional Needs
St Vincent’s Nursery
Scotland Children’s Rights
Just Be Kids
Learning Through Play: Awe and Wonder
Adventure Farm Day Nursery
Family Engagement
Bright Little Stars Nursery – Barnet
See our NDNA 2025 winners below
Download the NDNA Awards supplement for 2025 which showcases all of our wonderful winners and finalists in each of our Award categories. A huge congratulations to our winners!
Introducing our headline sponsor for 2026
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With thanks to our awards category sponsors for 2026
Christie and Co
Judge’s Demand
NDNA Awards 2026 FAQs
The NDNA awards spotlight and celebrate leading work and outstanding achievements in the early years sector over the last 12 months. This page is kept up-to-date with information about the awards ceremony and currently announces the finalists across all award categories.
The page lists the complete shortlist for all ten award categories, including regional and national Nursery of the Year categories, Network of the Year, Manager of the Year, Practitioner of the Year, Apprentice of the Year, and several specialist categories.
The Awards ceremony will be held on Friday 5 June at the Titanic Hotel, Liverpool.
Yes. Tickets for the 2026 Awards ceremony can be bought at: http://votendna.org.uk/ndnaawards2026/en/page/buy-your-tickets
Yes. Visitors can download the NDNA Awards 2025 supplement, which highlights the winners and finalists from the previous year.
The awards is an opportunity to ‘Dress to impress’ – black tie optional.