Announcing the NDNA Awards finalists for 2026
We’re delighted to announce our NDNA Awards finalists for 2026. 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 ten categories this year.
The shortlist for each Award category is listed below:
Nursery of the Year North
Bright Beginnings Childcare Centre
Little Pips Day Nursery
Northumbria University Nursery
Nursery of the Year Central
Bee Curious Childcare
Charnwood Nursery & Pre-school
Homeland Day Nursery
Nursery of the Year South
Born To Woodland
Little Agnes Nursery
Young Friends Kindergarten
Nursery of the Year Scotland
Banbury Cross Nursery
Flying Colours Nursery – Cammo Meadows
Innocence Nursery
Nursery of the Year Wales
Puddle Ducks (South Wales) Ltd
Ribbons Preschool
Rydal Penrhos School
Nursery of the Year International
Falcon British Nursery – Abu Dhabi
Little Seeds Nursery – Doha
Network of the Year
Bristol, Gloucestershire and South Gloucestershire
Lancashire
Leicestershire and Leicester City
Peterborough
Manager of the Year
Caroline Akker – Bee Curious Childcare,
Sarah Hawkins – TNB Garrison Early Years and Play
Holly Browning – Partou Alexandra
Practitioner of the Year
Sandra Kunda – Banana Moon Westhill
Rachel Bustin – Puffins Of Exeter
Chloe O’Brien – Puffins of Exeter Mont Le Grand
Apprentice of the Year
Holly Lansley – Bee Curious Childcare
Laura Walachowksa – Burbage Preschool
Ashleigh Webb – Puffins Manston Terrace
Community Support/Charity Fundraising
Banana Moon Bridge of Don
Bumbles Nursery
Evergreen Early Years – Fulwood
Excellence in Additional Needs
Bright Beginnings Childcare Centre
Dandelion Education Ltd
St Vincent’s Nursery
Scotland Children’s Rights
Just Be Kids
Riverbank Nursery
Learning Through Play: Awe and Wonder
Adventure Farm Day Nursery
Bee in the Woods Kindergarten
Harbourside Day Nursery
Family Engagement
Blossom Tree Montessori – Northwood Hills
Bright Little Stars Nursery – Barnet
Little Apples Day Nursery Ltd
The Awards ceremony will take place on Friday 5 June at Titanic Hotel, Liverpool. Buy your Awards ceremony tickets below.
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.