NDNA celebrates excellence at 2026 Conference and Awards
The National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) brought together nursery leaders, owners and early years professionals at its 2026 Conference and Awards. They celebrated innovation, leadership and outstanding practice across the sector.
Held at the Titanic Hotel Liverpool, the conference returned with the theme Transforming tomorrow: the power of early years today, giving delegates practical insight, expert perspectives and fresh inspiration to support high quality early education and care.
Alongside the in-person event, NDNA also offered a virtual conference stream helping professionals from across the UK and beyond access sessions, ideas and support.
The 2026 Awards ceremony recognised the exceptional people, nurseries and networks making a difference for children, families and communities. The awards showcased the array of talent across the sector and the commitment of settings and staff delivering excellence evert day.
See our full winner page with photos here.
Tim McLachlan, Chief Executive of NDNA, said:
“We are incredibly proud of all our members and this year’s award winners, who represent the very best of the early years sector. Their passion, dedication and innovation are making a real difference to the lives of children and families every day. These awards are a chance to celebrate their achievements and recognise the vital role they play in shaping the future through high-quality early education and care.”
Nursery of the Year Overall
Among the top honours, Young Friends Kindergarten, a “sustainable, plant-based kindergarten” in Brighton and Hove, won Nursery of the Year South of England and the big Nursery of the Year Overall award.
Owner Louise Lloyd-Evans celebrated at the venue, saying: “It means so much to us. We are trying to promote sustainability in the sector and we hope this award will help to push that sustainability. We will just keep on doing what we do!”
Nursery of the Year Scotland
Banbury Cross nursery near Aberdeen won Nursery of the Year Scotland. Lisa Murray, Managing Director, and Laura Steventon, assistant manager, accepted the award on behalf of the whole team. They said: “It’s a big surprise! It means everything to us all, our hard work has paid off. We value our team so much and this gives them recognition of what we do every day. We are so chuffed!”
All Nursery of the Year Awards
Other winners included Bright Beginnings Childcare Centre for the North, Charnwood Nursery & Pre-school for Central England, Puddle Ducks (South Wales) Ltd for Wales and Falcon British Nursery, Abu Dhabi for the International category.
Manager of the Year
Individual and specialist category winners also reflected the range of excellence in the sector, including Caroline Akker from Bee Curious in Cheshire. Caroline was delighted to win the Manager of the Year award. She said: “I hope this is an inspiration to other people to achieve your dreams and find your tribe. Without the support of my family, friends and colleagues, I wouldn’t have achieved what I have today.”
Practitioner of the Year
Practitioner of the Year Chloe O’Brien from Puffins of Exeter Mont Le Grand said: “I began this career to give children the best start in life. My favourite part of the job is to make a difference, how the children are excited to see you each morning, being that person who helps them develop and grow. A big thank you to the team at Puffins.”
Apprentice of the Year
Laura Walachowksa of Burbage Preschool also won Apprentice of the Year, she said: “I was completely shocked when my name was announced. Just being shortlisted was an amazing achievement, so to win is something I never expected. I’ve learned so much and I’m excited about continuing my career in early years.”
Other awards
NDNA also recognised wider impact through awards such as Community Support and Charity Fundraising, won by Bumbles Nursery, Excellence in Additional Needs, won by St Vincent’s Nursery, and Learning Through Play: Awe and Wonder, awarded to Adventure Farm Day Nursery. Leicestershire and Leicester City was named Network of the Year, while Purnima Tanuku CBE received a standing ovation and Lifetime Achievement award. She said: “I am used to giving awards not getting them so this is very special.”
Outstanding Contribution Award
Dan Thompson and Joanne Thompson of Millie’s Mark were honoured with the Outstanding Contribution Award. Chief Executive of NDNA, Tim McLachlan said: “Millie’s Mark has made an exceptional and lasting impact on the sector going above and beyond, with more than 1400 settings with this accreditation and thousands of practitioners who are paediatric first aid trained across the country.”
The full list of 2026 winners are included below, celebrating the outstanding commitment, creativity and leadership that continue to shape the future of early years education.
Overall Nursery of the Year
Young Friends Kindergarten, Brighton and Hove
Nursery of the Year North
Bright Beginnings Childcare Centre, Leeds
Nursery of the Year Central
Charnwood Nursery & Pre-school, Leicestershire
Nursery of the Year South
Young Friends Kindergarten, Brighton and Hove
Nursery of the Year Scotland
Banbury Cross Nursery, Aberdeen
Nursery of the Year Wales
Puddle Ducks (South Wales) Ltd, Monmouthshire
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, Cheshire
Practitioner of the Year
Chloe O’Brien – Puffins of Exeter Mont Le Grand
Apprentice of the Year
Laura Walachowksa – Burbage Preschool, Hinckley
Community Support and Charity Fundraising
Bumbles Nursery, Leeds
Excellence in Additional Needs
St Vincent’s Nursery, Altrincham
Scotland Children’s Rights
Just Be Kids, Glasgow
Learning Through Play: Awe and Wonder
Adventure Farm Day Nursery, Burton-on-Trent
Family Engagement
Bright Little Stars Nursery – Barnet
- Awards
- Celebrating Our Sector
- Conference
- early education
- early years
- early years professional development UK
- NDNA
- nurseries
- Nursery
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