The prestigious NDNA nursery awards are back for 2026 to celebrate the early years sector!
NDNA is delighted to announce the launch of the NDNA awards 2026, which are now open for entries to nurseries and NDNA networks across the UK. Our awards celebration will return to the Titanic Hotel in Liverpool on Friday 5 June 2026.
The showpiece awards event, proudly sponsored by Hope, will spotlight and celebrate leading talent and outstanding achievements in the early years sector and we’re delighted to launch two brand new awards for this years’ event.
We’re pleased to announce that our ‘Learning Through Play’ award is returning with a new theme, ‘Awe and Wonder’ and brand new for 2026 is our ‘Family Engagement’ award.
Popular awards returning for 2026 include Manager of the Year, Practitioner of the Year, Young Apprentice of the Year and the UK-wide Network of the Year. NDNA’s sector leading Children’s Rights award for nurseries in Scotland also returns for the second year.
We also have our prestigious Nursery of the Year awards for Scotland, Wales, International and North, Central and South of England, with an overall Nursery of the Year selected amongst the winners of each region.
Tim McLachlan, Chief Executive of NDNA said: “I’m extremely proud to launch the NDNA Awards 2026, which are dedicated to highly skilled early years professionals and high-quality settings that educate and care for our youngest children. This is the opportunity for practitioners and settings to showcase their greatest achievements and for their hard work and dedication to our sector to be recognised.
“Our awards are held in high esteem across the sector and we are excited to be returning to the Titanic Hotel in Liverpool for 2026. We want to celebrate both individual and collective brilliance amongst our members and to recognise their outstanding work. Our panel of expert judges will be looking for the highest criteria and excellence across the board in all categories.”
Commenting on the prestige of the NDNA awards, Liz Ludden, Co-founder of the Nursery In Belong, winners of the England Central and overall Nursery of the Year 2025 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.”
The winners of these awards will be voted for by our esteemed panel of judges who will be looking for highly skilled practitioners and high-quality environments where children can develop and thrive.
We promise finalists a memorable evening event with a drinks reception and three-course dinner, followed by the awards ceremony with the opportunity to party and celebrate into the early hours.
Registration is simple, just visit our dedicated awards website to register and apply at www.votendna.org.uk or find out more at www.ndna.org.uk/awards
The deadline for awards submissions and parent votes in respective categories is 5 December 2025. Be sure to check the terms and conditions of the awards before entry.
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