NDNA Celebrates Talent and Professionalism at Prestigious Awards Ceremony
National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) took to the stage to celebrate the talent, dedication and professionalism in the early years sector at its annual conference and awards ceremony.
The NDNA conference 2025: ‘Every child’s story starts with early years’ brought members and sector experts together to share and inspire innovation for the future of the early years sector and celebrate the achievements of leaders and practitioners.
Hosted by Lucy Nicholls the NDNA 2025 award winners were revealed during a glamorous event held at Titanic Hotel, Liverpool.
Celebrity host Lucy Nicholls addressed guests saying: “It’s amazing to hear about all your incredible work and everything you do for children. You should all be very proud. It’s been absolutely wonderful.”
The Overall Nursery of the Year award was presented to The Nursery in Belong, Chester who were elated to receive the most prestigious award of the evening along with Central England Nursery of the Year award. Commenting on their success Liz Ludden, Co-founder said: “It was an absolute honour to be recognised for the awards by NDNA. As a small nursery with big aspirations this recognition means the world to all of us.
“Our work within our intergenerational community wouldn’t be possible without the faith and support of the families and all the wonderful children who fill our nursery with so much joy, laughter and endless curiosity. We must also recognise our wonderful Grand Friends who share their rich tapestry of learning with the team and with the children, enriching their time at nursery.
“On the evening we felt incredibly proud to be with so many wonderful individuals who value early years education and the impact it has on shaping the future. We look forward to continuing to make a positive difference in the lives of the children we care for and their families.”
Celebrating alongside NDNA members NDNA’s Executive Chair, Purnima Tanuku CBE said: “Congratulations to our winners and finalists and thank you to all the dedicated parents and carers who voted. The process of judging our awards is rigorous, involving a panel of experts who are looking to reward nothing but excellence and this year they have faced a difficult task in making their final decisions.
“Winning an NDNA award is a huge achievement and brings opportunities and benefits for the future. Whether this is representing the sector at the Department for Education meetings, media interviews or being invited to share their comments, we are proud that the NDNA Awards provides a platform for these opportunities.
NDNA’s new Chief Executive Tim McLachlan also presented some of the awards. He said: “This year’s annual NDNA conference is a very special event, particularly for me as it’s my first one as Chief Executive. “It’s been a huge privilege to reveal the winners of the NDNA 2025 awards here tonight and celebrate the talented professionals within our sector.
“Our awards are dedicated to the skilled practitioners and high-quality settings that educate and care for our youngest children and are valued by many. This is the opportunity for practitioners and settings to showcase their talent and to be celebrated both individually and collectively. Well done to all finalists and winners.”
Bellevue Nursery, Cwmbran was named Nursery of the Year Wales and Great Western Early Years, Kingswell, Aberdeen won the top prize in Scotland. Nursery of the Year award in the North of England was awarded to esSENtial Early Years, Birkenhead and Bumble Bees Day Nursery, London won the South of England Nursery award.
There was special recognition for NDNA trustee and Managing Director of Childcare at Christie and Co, Courteney Donaldson, for her longstanding support to providers in the sector and her work with NDNA. On presenting her with the Outstanding Contribution award, Purnima Tanuku CBE commented: “It was particularly gratifying for me to announce the Outstanding Contribution award for Courteney Donaldson of Christie and Co. Courteney has worked alongside NDNA as a trusted board member for 14 years and it’s a privilege to reward and recognise her dedication and work in this way.”
The coveted Practitioner of the Year Award was presented to Ethan Clarke from All Smiles Pre-school, Bolton. Ethan, who has worked in early years for nine years said: “I actually wanted to go into teaching but working with a young child with additional needs during my apprenticeship inspired me to stay in early years. I had no idea I had been put forward until the finalists were announced and I was delighted to just be nominated – but to win has been amazing.
“The role of SENCo can be quite lonely, sometimes you can go home exhausted, but the impact makes it all worthwhile, especially where you’re working with parents to recognise additional needs. Being recognised like this just reinforces how important the role is and I hope it will help us to go even further to support children with additional needs.”
Manager of the Year was awarded to Natalie Jones from Kidzrus Forest School and Nursery, Salford who has worked in the sector for 24 years. Celebrating her achievement Natalie said: “This award means so much to me. I never expected to be nominated, and it was quite nerve-wracking to be put forward for an individual award.
“My focus has always been on children’s experiences, my teams and the whole setting rather than thinking about my individual role. It has been amazing to reflect on where I’ve come from having started as a practitioner working my way up to management positions and now to a senior manager across a group of five nurseries.
“I’m really excited to be able to share this news with the parents and families at the nursery. That relationship with families is what makes this role more than just a job and it was fantastic to get the recognition for the work we have put in place to build a community around the nursery.”
And the winners are:
- Nursery of the Year 2025 – Overall Winner (sponsored by Christie & Co) – Winner: The Nursery in Belong, Chester.
- Nursery of the Year 2025 – England North (Sponsored by Christie & Co) – Winner: esSENtial Early Years, Birkenhead.
- Nursery of the Year 2025 – England Central (Sponsored by Christie & Co) – Winner: The Nursery in Belong, Chester.
- Nursery of the Year 2025 – England South (Sponsored by Christie & Co) – Winner: Bumble Bees Day Nursery, London.
- Nursery of the Year 2025 – Wales (Sponsored by Christie & Co) – Winner: Bellevue Nursery, Cwmbran.
- Nursery of the Year 2025 – Scotland (Sponsored by Christie & Co) – Winner: Great Western Early Years – Kingswell, Aberdeen.
- Nursery of the Year 2025 – International Winner (Sponsored by Christie & Co) – Winner: Kensington International Kindergarten, Bangkok, Thailand and Qurrah Day Care, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
- Practitioner of the Year 2025 – (Sponsored by the Institute of Early Years Education) Winner: Ethan Clarke, All Smiles Pre-school, Bolton.
- Manager of the Year 2025 – (Sponsored by Citation) – Winner: Natalie Jones, Kidzrus Forest School and Nursery, Salford.
- Outstanding Contribution 2025 – Winner: Courteney Donaldson, Managing Director of Childcare & Education Sectors at Christie & Co
- Apprentice of the Year 2025 – Winner: Chloe Thomas, Ribbons Pre-school Ltd, Dinas Powys.
- Excellence in Additional Needs Award 2025 – (Sponsored by Widgit) Winner: Charnwood Nursery and Pre-school, Thurmaston.
- Community Support and Charity Fundraising Award 2025 – Winner: Childsplay Claremont Nursery Cooperative Ltd, Newcastle Upon Tyne.
- Network of the Year Award 2025 – Winner: Liverpool Network – Ann Miller – Sure Steps Day Nursery, Mossley Hill.
- Nursery Group Community Impact Award 2025 – (Sponsored by Triodos Bank) Winner: Little Lodge Nursery, Worcester.
- Learning Through Play Award 2025: Outdoor Explorers – Winner: Best Family Childcare Nursery, Leeds.
NDNA received a significant number of parent and carer votes for these awards, which supported the panel of judges in choosing the awards winners.
The headline sponsors for the Awards was NDNA’s nursery resource partner Hope and employment law and health and safety partner Citation.
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