National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) recognised as one of the UK’s Best Workplaces for Women™
The 2026 UK’s Best Workplaces for Women™ has officially recognised National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) within the top 50 within the medium-sized organisation category.
NDNA’s Menopause Matters group which is regularly attended and provides education, support, advice and a safe space to talk about the impact of menopause is just one of the reasons why the women there believe it’s a great place to work.
The 2026 UK’s Best Workplaces for Women list is made up of employers whose people have told Great Place To Work® UK they work for a place that is inclusive and equitable for all. The 350 companies on the list are committed to ensuring a reasonable balance of women and men across the organisation; removing barriers to women’s career advancement; and creating workplaces where all employees, regardless of gender, can flourish.
In addition, the 2026 UK’s Best Workplaces for Wellbeing™ launched in June by Great Place To Work® UK, recognises NDNA as 75th within the national list.
The UK’s Best Workplaces for Wellbeing™ rankings include organisations who have succeeded in helping their employees to experience high levels of wellbeing in their workplace. To compile the prestigious list, Great Place To Work culture experts analysed thousands of employee surveys, assessing their holistic experiences of wellbeing at work through fundamental facets of employee wellbeing, including: work-life balance, sense of fulfilment, job satisfaction, and financial security. Evaluations also included an assessment of how well the organisation was able to deliver consistency of their employee experience across all departments and seniority levels.
Tim McLachlan, Chief Executive of NDNA, said:
“Happy productive staff are our greatest strength, so it’s a priority for me that every person who works at NDNA feels valued, supported and empowered to thrive.
When our people succeed, so does the impact we make for the early years sector.
“Every day our dedicated and passionate staff who make NDNA such a fantastic place to work make me very proud to be their Chief Executive. They work hard and make time for each other, bringing enthusiasm, commitment and care to their work.
“This is reflected in how we as an organisation support children’s nurseries across England, Scotland and Wales, who in turn give our youngest children the best start in life. We are delighted to be recognised as a great workplace for wellbeing and also in particular as a workplace where women feel valued and supported when we work in a female-dominated sector.”
Donna Clarke, NDNA’s Head of HR said:
“It’s really important to us that we have a workplace which is fully inclusive and particularly to the women who work here, supporting nurseries who are mostly run by women.
“We pride ourselves on the flexibility we offer in the workplace, offering home-based and hybrid working across all roles.
“We also started our Menopause Matters group three years ago, and we have found our employees really value that safe space and the knowledge it provides them. The group is open to all of our staff, not just our female employees. It’s important that everyone understands the impact menopause can have at home and in the workplace.
“We are delighted and immensely proud to have gained this amazing recognition from our employees.”
Staff at NDNA enjoy regular wellbeing walks together – including remote-working staff who share photos of their activities with their teams. NDNA also encourages employee volunteering, access to mental health and wellbeing resources via our Wisdom App, the Employee Assistance Programme and the digital GP.
Benedict Gautrey, Managing Director of Great Place To Work UK says: “This year’s UK’s Best Workplaces for Women list celebrates businesses making a genuine difference day to day, not just in what they say, but in how people experience work. What matters most is that this recognition comes directly from women working in these organisations, who tell us they feel supported, valued, and able to grow.
“Creating a culture of wellbeing requires deliberate leadership, strong values and consistent action that puts people first. The UK’s Best Workplaces for Wellbeing™ List recognises organisations that take a genuinely holistic approach to supporting their people, across mental, physical and financial health, as well as fostering a strong sense of belonging.
“To be recognised on this list is a clear signal that wellbeing is not treated as a peripheral initiative, but as a fundamental part of organisational culture. Congratulations to NDNA on this achievement and for setting a leading example for workplaces across the UK.”
About Great Place To Work®
Great Place To Work® is the global authority on workplace culture, on a mission to make every company a great workplace for all. Every year, they receive direct feedback from over 10 million workers around the world telling us how they really feel about their employer. Their survey is completely confidential and anonymous, so people can feel comfortable to be honest about their workplace, and companies can gain detailed insights into how they can better serve their people.
Only those employers who have the highest levels of trust, job satisfaction, and who empower ALL their employees to thrive both in and outside of work are awarded official Best Workplaces™ recognition.
For more information, visit www.greatplacetowork.co.uk
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