CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR 2019 FINALISTS!

Thank you to all those who submitted entries this year. All shortlisted finalists will be contacted in September.

The 17th National NMT Nursery Awards return once again for the celebration of the year on the 30th November 2019 at the Hilton London Metropole!

The National NMT Nursery Awards reward excellence in the early years and nursery sector.

Nursery Training & Development Award

Bright Horizons Professional Development Team, Bright Horizons Family Solutions
Children 1st Day Nurseries
Kaleidoscope Day Nurseries Ltd
Kids Planet Training Academy, Kids Planet
Sunbeams Ltd

Individual Nursery Award

22 Street Lane Nursery
Holmsdale Manor Nursery
Kings Park Nursery
Perryfields Day Nursery
Your Nursery Ltd

Nursery Indoor Learning Environment Award

Children 1st @ Rosemary Lane (Formerly Monks Road), Children 1st Day Nurseries
Kids Planet Wallasey, Kids Planet Day Nurseries
The Kentish Town Day Nursery and Preschool, Little Garden Day Nurseries
Sunbeams Day Nursery, Sunbeams Ltd
Langley Nursery, Toad Hall Nursery Group

Nursery Room Leader Award

Sofina Choudhury, Hale Day Nursery, Elmscot Group
Jess Clayton, The Old Station Nursery, Innsworth, The Old Station Nursery Ltd
Sophie Johnson, Kiddi Caru Peterborough, Kiddi Caru Day Nurseries Group
Rachel Shevill, Zone4kids at Whitley Lodge, Tynemouth Nursery Group
Naomi Wilkinson, Holmsdale Manor Nursery

Nursery Team Award

Bright Horizons Sale, Bright Horizons Family Solutions
Cooperative Childcare Burton, Cooperative Childcare
Sunbeams Thorpe Park, Sunbeams Ltd
Langley Nursery, Toad Hall Nursery Group
Worcester Early Years Centre

Nursery Product Award

Outlast Mud Kitchen, Community Playthings
Chatter Clouds, Hope Education
Travelling Tales, Hope Education
Millhouse Outdoors, Millhouse (Part of Spaceright Europe Ltd)

Nursery Manager Award

Jenny Briggs, Holmsdale Manor Nursery
Alex Jones, Kindred Bournemouth, Kindred Education Ltd
Tom Richardson, Naturally Learning Charlestown, Naturally Learning Ltd
Jayne Turnbull, Zone 4 Kids at Whitley Lodge, Tynemouth Nursery Group
Carly Wray, Seahorse Nursery

Nursery Business Development Award

Child’s Play Private Nursery
Kangaroo Pouch Ltd
N Family Club
Tribe, Naturally Learning Ltd
South Hills Nurseries Ltd

Nursery Operations/Area Manager Award

Michelle Gascoigne, Tynemouth Nursery, Tynemouth Nursery Group
Lisa Jelf, Tiny Toez@East Staffs, Tiny Toez
Rachael Lyons, Elmscot Woodlands Day Nursery, Elmscot Group
Folake Omole, WMB Hillcity Day Nursery, WMB Childcare Ltd
Samantha Othen, Nuffy Bear, Nuffy Bear – Nuffield Health

Nursery Chef Award

Kate Draycott, Rosedene Hemlington, Rosedene Nurseries
Lorraine Farman, Spring Milecross, Spring by Action For Children
Kate Harris, Chalfont St Peter, Hungry Caterpillar Day Nurseries
Tris Strover, Tootsies Private Day Nursery, Tootsies Nursery
Hayley Woolfson, Archfield House Nursery School

Nursery Staff Resource Award

Adventures with Alice, Experiental Play Ltd
Blossom, Blossom Educational
Early Years Clip Library, Early Years Clip Library
Famly, Famly
Funding Loop, Funding Loop

Nursery Outdoor Learning Environment Award

The Elms Day Nursery, Birmingham Day Nurseries
Elmscot Woodlands Day Nursery, Elmscot Group
Kindred Les Enfants, Kindred Nurseries
Auchlone Nature Kindergarten, Mindstretchers Ltd
South Hills School, South Hills Nurseries Ltd

Nursery Sustainable Pioneer Award

Each Peach Childcare & Forest School
Auchlone Nature Kindergarten, Mindstretchers Ltd
Monkey Puzzle Glasgow Central
Tops Havant, Tops Day Nurseries Ltd

Nursery Apprentice Award

Jake Baron, Shepherd Lodge Nursery, Learning Curve Nursery Group Ltd
Emma Cannon, Elmscot Chester Day Nursery, Elmscot Group
Jamie Gearing, Little Acorn’s Pre-School & Nursery, A Step Ahead
Rebecca Wilcock, Billinge, Kids Planet Day Nurseries
Georgina Wright, Kiddi Caru Caldecotte, Kiddi Caru Day Nurseries Group

Nursery Nurse/Childcare Worker Award

Bridget Brown, Pebbles Childcare
Julie Day, Naturally Learning Charlestown, Naturally Learning
Leah Jones, Daisy Chain Walton, Daisy Chain Day Nursery
Shelley Murphy, Kiddi Caru Caldecotte, Kiddi Caru Day Nurseries Group
Paula Osborne, Kidzrus Nursery Media City, Kidzrus Nursery

Forest or Beach School / Kindergarten Award

Talbot Woods Day Nursery and Preschool, Bright Horizons Family Solutions
Friends Forest Nursery, ICP Nurseries
Little Forest Folk Barnes, Little Forest Folk
Auchlone Nature Kindergarten, Mindstretchers Ltd
Naturally Learning Charlestown, Naturally Learning

Nursery Personality of the Year Award

Ty Burnett, Eureka! The National Children’s Museum, Eureka! Nursery
Maria Luque Carey, N Family Club London Fields, N Family Club
Ayeshea Graham, Each Peach Childcare
Karen Simpkin, Sunflower Children’s Centre
Julia Wolfe, Seahorse Nursery

Nursery Group Award

Cherubs Nurseries
Co-op Chilcare/Little Pioneers
Kids Planet Day Nurseries
Sunbeams Ltd
Tiddlywinks Day Nursery Ltd

Important Dates:

NMT Nursery Awards Chef Judging Day: Wednesday 9th October 2019, The Gourmet Cookery School, Milton Keynes (all Chef finalists must attend, Chef finalists do not need to attend on the 18th)

NMT Nursery Awards Judging Day: Friday 18th October 2019, Hilton London Metropole (all finalists must attend)

17th National NMT Nursery Awards: Saturday 30th November 2019, Hilton London Metropole

Now for a word from our fantastic returning Main Sponsor, Consortium!

NMT Magazine would like to give a special thank you to our current Category Sponsors:

*Click the image below for Sponsor information

Many thanks to our Drinks’ Reception Sponsor, Funding Loop and our returning Charity Sponsor, Redwoods Dowling Kerr!

Any questions or queries?

Click here to download our FAQs pack or get in touch with Véronique on the Events Team at veronique@hawkerpublications.com Alternatively, call us on

For sponsorship opportunities please contact Caroline Bowern; caroline@hawkerpublications.com

Keep up to date on our Facebook and Twitter pages!

Have a look below to see what happened last year at our 2018 Awards:

Congratulations to our 2018 Winners!

Back for the 16th year, the National NMT Nursery Awards recognise the very best in the early years and nursery sector which culminated in a glittering Gala Evening at the Hilton London Metropole on the 1st December 2018!

The NMT Nursery Awards is an annual event organised by Nursery Management Today, the leading business publication in the nursery sector and sponsored by key companies providing services in the sector. The Awards are designed to reward excellence in childcare and celebrate the very best people in the Nursery Sector.

2018 Winners

Nursery Training and Development 2018

The Co-operative Childcare

Individual Nursery 2018

Puddleducks Day Nursery, Belfast Central Mission

Nursery Indoor Learning Environment 2018

Fennies Day Nursery and Pre-School Horley, Fennies Nurseries Ltd

Nursery Room Leader 2018

Adam Catlow, Evolution Childcare

Nursery Team 2018

The Old School House Nursery, Cresswells Group

Nursery Manager 2018

Clare Eccles, Portico Nursery Group

Nursery Business Development 2018

Chestnuts Quedgeley, Chestnuts Day Nurseries

Nursery Operations Director / Regional Director 2018

Nadine Farrington, Kiddycare Ltd

Nursery Group of the Year 2018

South Hills Nurseries

Nursery Chef / Cook 2018

Cath Robinson, Holyrood Nursery Swinton, Bertram Nursery Group

Nursery Product / Innovation 2018

Nursery Meals, The Professional Nursery Kitchen

Nursery Outdoor Learning Environment 2018

Dandelion Education Marsham

Nursery Apprentice 2018

Georgia Hammond, Woodlands Day Nursery, Elmscot Group

Nursery Nurse / Childcare Worker 2018

Georgina Elton, Kiddi Caru Day Nursery

Nursery Recruitment Initiative 2018

The Old Station Nursery Ltd

Nursery Personality of the Year 2018

Alice Hill, Snapdragons Nursery Keynsham

Nursery Lifetime Achievement 2018

Margaret Huntington, Footprints Day Nurseries

Re-live the magic, have a look at our Winners Highlights below!

16th National NMT Nursery Awards Winners Album

Gala Evening Photos

What happened this year at our Judging Day?

Have a look at our Chef Judging Day!

Thank you to our Host Gethin Jones!

Gethin Jones is a TV and radio broadcaster. His career started by chance on S4C.. After 3 years of presenting a variety of different live shows, he was asked to board the well-known ‘Blue Peter’ ship! Little did he know this would lead to 6 broken bones, 4 world records, 3 life threatening tasks, and a lifetime ambition of flying with the Red Arrows. 32 countries, taking on the most extreme and obscure! From one extreme to another, a few months later he was dancing his way to the semi-final of BBC1’s ‘Strictly Come Dancing’. He’s been a part of the show since, presenting “Dancing With The Stars All Access” in Los Angeles, and presenting It Takes Two on BBC2 for the past 3 years.

Gethin has presented a multitude of high profile shows, from “71 Degree’s North” to 4 series of BBC1’s “Remembrance Week” – filmed in the heart of the Green Zone in Afghanistan.

Gethin and his best friend Sion, both have autistic nephews. Inspired by them, they have set up their own Autism charity – “Nai” (the welsh word for “Nephew”). They fund seminars for parents, and provide essential equipment to aid autistic children. Their ambition is to build a much-needed school for Autistic Children, in Wales. He says you should only approach him about it, if you’re ready to see a grown man cry! Gethin is now the co-host of the brand new “Hits Radio” Breakfast show alongside Gemma Atkinson and Dave Vitty.

Thank you to our Main Sponsor, Consortium!

Thanks to our Sponsors:

2018 Finalists

Nursery Training & Development Award

Louisa Devonport & Gemma Pawson, Bright Horizons Family Solutions
Gill Medhurst & Stacey Bailey, Fennies Nurseries Ltd
Olivia Foley & Karen Vockins, Hungry Caterpillar Day Nurseries Ltd
Alexandra Ferguson & Sophie Boyce, Laser Systems
Babita Saroy & Beverley Capewell, The Co-operative Childcare

We are looking to acknowledge and reward exceptional commitment to training and developing staff. The Award could go to an outstanding business or nursery or individual who is making an exceptional contribution to enhancing training within the childcare sector.

Individual Nursery Award

Jemima Bailey & Jessica Woods, Alfresco Childcare and Forest Pre-School
Sharon Malcolm, Puddleducks Day Nursery, Belfast Central Mission
Fabienne O’Neill & Heather Stallard, Cuckooz Nest
Sonia Gill & Zadvinder Padda, GNG Nursery
Amanda Griffiths & Samantha Varney, Monkey Puzzle Day Nursery St Albans

Awarded to a nursery that is a single owned and run site (i.e. not part of a multiple group of owned nurseries) which has, in the view of the judges, created the very best environment to promote the highest levels of childcare, staff morale and business performance.

Nursery Indoor Learning Environment Award

Gill Medhurst & Laura Woods, Fennies Day Nursery and Pre-School Horley, Fennies Nurseries Ltd
Eve Aitchison & Claire Muttitt, Beaumont House Day Nursery, Pilgrim Trading Ltd
Toni Fountain, Toad Hall Day Nursery Ltd
Karen Brown & Jo Strover, Tootsies Day Nursery
Karen Parker & Kelly Tindall, The Sussex Co-operative, The Co-operative Childcare

This Award will be won by the nursery which has created an environment that most inspires and excites children. The entry will show how the nursery actively involves children in their learning, as well as celebrating their achievements.

Nursery Room Leader Award

Daniel Arnell, Toad Hall Nursery Group Horley
Max Bendall, Snapdragons Nursery Weston
Adam Catlow, Evolution Childcare
Lenka Fibichova, Buttons Day Nursery Hanwell, Eduko Ltd
Sophie Murray, Hale Day Nursery, Elmscot Group

This Award will go a Nursery Room Leader who shows the leadership skills required to provide a safe and stimulating environment for children, excellent ability to support and develop other team members, an ability to observe, assess and track children’s learning and development, someone who has a high degree of integrity and empathy when dealing with children and is an
excellent verbal and written communicator.

Nursery Team Award

Lisa Weston & Lauren Stevens, The Old School House Nursery, Cresswells Group
Sarah Fox & Charlie Beckett, Evolution Childcare
Hannah Jennings, Tops Day Nurseries, Hadland Care Group
Kim-Marie Gerrard & Heather Machin, Tiny Toez Westfield, Tiny Toez Ltd
Nicola Jones & Carly Burke, The Co-operative Childcare Newbiggen

This award will go to the nursery team that has developed and maintained an excellent standard of childcare showing exceptional group values and a commitment to working together for the common good.

Nursery Manager Award

Conor Bathgate, Bright Horizons Family Solutions
Clare Eccles, Portico Nursery Group
Sarah Fox, Evolution Childcare
Laura Robinson, Headstart Day Nursery and Afterschool
Hayley Walker, Holyrood Nursery Swinton, Bertram Nursery Group

The nursery sector depends on the very best managers for its current and future success.This award will be won by the manager who has shown outstanding caring and business skills and leadership in developing a thriving, high quality nursery which delivers a superb environment for children, staff and parents.

Nursery Business and Development Award

Lucy Knibbs & Liz Kelly, Chestnuts Quedgeley, Chestnuts Day Nurseries
Neil Blockley & Jenine Gill, Little Inspirations Day Nursery, Little Inspirations Ltd
Liv Stones & Hannah McGoohan, N Nursery & Family Club
Andrew Clifford & Eve Aitchison, Beaumont House Day Nursery, Pilgrim Trading Ltd
Ranjana Mair & Kim-Marie Gerrard, Tiny Toez Ltd

This award will be given to an outstanding launch of a new nursery business since January 1st 2017 or to a nursery or nursery group which has expanded significantly since January 1st 2017.

Nursery Group Award

Cherie Wilson & Zoe Smith-Phillips, Acorns Nurseries Ltd
Sarah Savage & Rachael Hornby, Cherubs Nurseries
Steven Fenn & Gill Medhurst, Fennies Nurseries Ltd
Sarah Fillingham & Clare Eccles, Portico Nursery Group
Hilary Campbell-Smith & Alicia Proctor, South Hills Nurseries

This award is open to nursery groups with three or more UK settings and is designed to recognise a forward thinking group which has shown outstanding success in delivering high quality childcare, well trained and motivated staff, inspirational values, focus across the group and financial success.

Nursery Operations Manager/Director Award

Nadine Farrington, Kiddycare Ltd
Sarah Fillingham, Portico Nursery Group
Stacey Kenyon & Sharon Rumens, Mulberry Bush Nursery Group
Hannah Reeves, Kids Collective, Elmscot Group
Cherie Wilson, Acorns Nurseries Ltd

The winning Operations Manager or Director will have demonstrated
exceptional vision and leadership across the settings they are responsible for, enhancing the reputation and success of the Group as a whole.

Nursery Chef/Cook Award

John Dougan, Chrysalis Day Nursery, BrightStart Day Nursery Group Ltd
Kylie O’Reilly, Nuffy Bear Day Nursery, Nuffield Health
Cath Robinson, Holyrood Nursery Swinton, Bertram Nursery Group
Joyce Welsh, The Red Squirrel Children’s Nursery Glendoick
Marcin Zolnierski, Little Hens Day Nursery, Eduko Ltd

This award will be made to a Chef or Cook in a nursery setting, who shows exceptional ability in providing well-balanced, nutritious and delicious food, that takes into account individual needs of children, giving special attention to allergies, sensitivities, cultures and food hygiene. Applicants must supply a genuine 2 course menu for the ‘Cook Off’ as well as supplying an example of a weekly menu plan created within the last three months.

Nursery Product or Innovation Award

Fabienne O’Neill & Heather Stallard, Cuckooz Nest, Cuckooz Nest
Tim Taylor & Gail Strangways, eyMan – Early Years Management, eyLog – Early Years Log
Martin Misiowiec & Matt Arnerich, Famly Activity Library, Famly
Rachel Pangburn, Tale Totes, Hope Education
Jonathan Player, Nursery Meals, The Professional Nursery Kitchen

Awarded to the nursery supply company that has, in the view of the judges, brought to the nursery sector the most exciting and important product or innovation over the past two years.

Nursery Outdoor Learning Environment Award

Angela Brandwood-Greene & Alexandra Gaskill, Clairmont House Day Nursery and Pre-School, Bright Horizons Family Solutions
Carey-Anne Bonser & Alexis Ralph, Busy Bees Day Nursery Durham, BrightStart Day Nursery Group Ltd
Emma Harwood, Dandelion Education Marsham
Sheena Wood, ICP Nurseries Outdoor Learning
Hannah Farman & Lisa Taylor, Butterfly Lodge Nursery, Learning Curve Nursery Group

This award will be made to the nursery which has, in the view of the judges, created an outdoor ‘living classroom’ that inspires and excites children. Activities that promote physical well-being, creativity and first-hand learning experiences will be sought.

Nursery Apprentice Award

Sophie Bunton, Chestnut Tree Day Nursery
Georgia Hammond, Woodlands Day Nursery, Elmscot Group
Alisha Hemming-Stevens, Rainbows End Montessori School
Charlotte O’Neill, Blue Grass Purple Cow
Amy Walsh, Shine Childcare Ltd

This Award will be given to a Nursery Apprentice, enrolled on a recognised apprenticeship scheme, who delivers the very best standard of childcare every day. The judges will be looking for an individual who excels in their personal and team roles, and exhibits enthusiasm, professionalism, confidence and a shining commitment to their on-going career development.

Nursery Nurse/Childcare Worker Award

David Bembridge, Little Garden Day Nurseries
Georgina Elton, Kiddi Caru Day Nursery
James Fulford, Snapdragons Nursery Weston
Sarah Knight, Les Enfants, Eduko Ltd
Sarah Walton, Cherubs Nurseries

This Award recognises the outstanding childcare provided by a Nursery
Nurse/Childcare Practitioner. The childcare will include warmth, equality, responsibility, safety, fairness and being supportive in all relationships involving the children, parents and organisation.

Nursery Recruitment Initiative Award

Cherie Wilson & Chris Sheldon, Acorns Nurseries Ltd
Jennie Johnson, Kids Allowed
Nicola Fleury, KidzRus Nursery Ltd
Jess Ringer, N Nursery & Family Club
Sarah Steel, The Old Station Nursery Ltd

Recruiting and retaining outstanding staff is one of the biggest challenges facing nurseries today. This Award is designed to recognise the individual or organisation which has developed a highly successful initiative which can be shown to have improved their recruitment and/or retention.

Nursery Personality of the Year Award

Freda Ampofo, Chestnut Tree Day Nursery
Joelle Bergin, Each Peach Childcare
Alice Hill, Snapdragons Nursery Keynsham
Zadvinder Padda, GNG Nursery
Tom Richardson, Naturally Learning Ltd

We’re looking for the person whose great personality and energy has made a real difference in their own setting in ways which are truly inspiring and memorable. This person will actively promote excellent care for their children, peace of mind for parents and a happy working environment.

Nursery Lifetime Achievement Award

Debbie Alcock, Chestnut Tree Day Nursery & Chatterbox House Day Nursery
Rachel Farrugia – on behalf of Margaret Huntington, Footprints Day Nurseries
Cheryl Hadland, Tops Day Nurseries, Hadland Care Group
Tricia Wellings, Bright Kids Group

This Award recognises the person who has dedicated a significant portion of his or her life to creating an outstanding service for children in their early years, and who has provided leadership and inspiration to others. Nominations from parents will be accepted by the judges.

Any questions or queries?

Download our FAQs pack by clicking the image below or get in touch with Véronique on the Events Team at veronique@hawkerpublications.com or call 020 7720 2109