The National NMT Nursery Awards took place at the end of last year at the Platinum Suite of London’s Excel, celebrating the very best of the early years sector. In the second part of our two-part round-up, the winners reflect on what their achievement means to them

Read part one here

Lifetime achievement, sponsored by iStep Learning

Winner: Sarah Steel, chair, The Old Station Nursery

“I was thrilled to receive the lifetime achievement award at the NMT Awards, it was a complete surprise and a very nice one. It does reflect all the years that I have been involved in the sector and the efforts that I, and so many of my team, have made to improve outcomes for children. There have certainly been a lot of changes in early years since I opened my first nursery in 2002. Early years is now recognised for its importance, but there is still a long way to go before all our wonderful people are acknowledged as real educators. Thank you to NMT for the award and to everyone who has been on this journey with me.”

Outstanding contribution of an individual, sponsored by Busy Bees

Winner: Neil Leitch, chief executive, Early Years Alliance

“It was an honour to receive NMT’s ‘Outstanding contribution of an individual’ award. During my time in the early years, I have been privileged to witness the strength and resilience of providers as they face challenge upon challenge – from underfunding and staffing shortages to the more recent National Insurance changes. But, while the recognition of early education may be slowly increasing, there remains a long way to go before the sector – and crucially its educators – receive the respect and support they deserve. I would like to thank NMT for this award and in the coming years, I look forward to continuing to make certain that the voice of the sector is never ignored.”

Nursery manager of the year (small groups and independents), sponsored by Millhouse

Winner: Kirsty Bennison, The Little Learners Montessori

“I am deeply honoured to receive the ‘Nursery manager’ award. This recognition reflects the passion, dedication and teamwork that drives everything we do to create a nurturing environment for children, families and staff. I believe my focus on building strong relationships, fostering growth, and leading with heart, played a key role in this achievement. Winning this award inspires me to continue making a meaningful impact and reminds me of all the hard work and happiness provided to children and their families. Thank you for this wonderful acknowledgment.”

Supplier of the year – training and learning, sponsored by Bright Stars

Winner: Realise Learning and Employment

“We are overjoyed to win the ‘Supplier of the year – training and learning’ award. The support from our employers and suppliers on the evening back in November was electric and we couldn’t have felt prouder to be a part of such an amazing sector. It is a privilege to work with a team that is so committed to delivering excellence in training and learning, and this award is a validation of the trust that settings have placed in us for over 30 years.

“2024 was a record year for Realise; we are now the number one early years apprenticeships provider in England, having supported over 2,000 learners in the 2023/2024 academic year. Every week there is a new achievement, record or milestone to celebrate.

“At a time when there is an acute skills shortage in the sector, we’re proud to lead from the front in retaining and developing talent. We understand the vital role that our learners play in shaping young minds and we’re dedicated to equipping them with the knowledge and skills to excel. 2025 promises to be another remarkable year for Realise as we continue to grow and expand our efforts in supporting this incredible sector.”

Technology product of the year, sponsored by RAFAKidz

Winner: Famly

“We were genuinely taken aback and so delighted to be able to call ourselves two-time winners of this prestigious gong at the awards. We want to dedicate it to all of our customers who continue to choose us every day and help us invest back into making Famly better and better – including all of the independent and smaller providers that make up the backbone of our sector. We have big plans for both the product and our efforts to help support the early year sector next year, so watch this space.”

Parent engagement, sponsored by Famly

Winner: Kindred

“Winning the ‘Parent engagement’ award is an incredible honour for everyone at Kindred. This recognition is particularly meaningful because it celebrates one of our core values – building strong, nurturing relationships not only with children but with their families too. Our approach has always been to ensure that families feel welcomed, supported and involved in their child’s learning journey, every step of the way, so winning this award is truly a testament to all the work that the nurseries do to ensure that they engage with the whole family and recognise the importance of this for each and every child at a Kindred nursery.

“As we often say, it takes a village to raise a child, and we are proud to be part of that village for so many families. Our dedicated teams work tirelessly to create environments where communication, trust and collaboration thrive. From our regular parent workshops, stay-and-play sessions, and the use of Satchel, our communication app, we aim to involve parents in meaningful ways. This award reaffirms that we’re achieving what we set out to do – creating genuine partnerships with families that ultimately benefit the children in our care.

“We really do see ourselves as a family and we are delighted that we were able to showcase this to win the award.”

Community nursery of the year, sponsored by Tinies

Winner: Hungry Caterpillar Day Nurseries – High Wycombe

“Winning the award for ‘Community nursery of the year’ means everything to us. We have dedicated ourselves over the year to connecting with our local community, and we are delighted to receive recognition for our efforts. Our children have greatly benefited from the various visitors we’ve had, enhancing their nursery experience by meeting new and diverse faces. Our staff team have been instrumental in this journey.

“Our charitable work has provided essential support to those in need within the local community, including One Can Trust food banks and Bliss, which aids premature babies and babies. Through our fundraising efforts, we aim to bring hope and vital resources to those facing challenging times.

“Our collaboration with the early years team has allowed us to concentrate on closing the gaps for children who may be at a disadvantage. Our primary focus was on improving mathematics skills, and we observed significant progress in the children’s development after providing training for staff and enhanced resources for the children.

“Our visit from the Ella’s Kitchen truck initiative encouraged healthy eating among our children. This interactive experience was enjoyable and engaging, helping the children to comprehend the benefits of consuming healthy foods, which we also promoted to parents for consistency at home.”

Nursery business development, sponsored by Evolve Within Recruitment

Winner: kinderzimmer

“Winning the ‘Nursery business development’ award is an extraordinary milestone for kinderzimmer. It’s a testament to our unwavering commitment to redefining early childhood education and creating a lasting impact on the families and communities we serve.

“At kinderzimmer, we believe that every child deserves an inspiring learning environment to help nurture independence, exploration and wonder. This award reflects not just our passion for innovation in the nursery sector, but more importantly, the dedication and passion of our incredible teams. From educators to operational staff, every member plays a vital role in delivering excellence for children in their early years.

“This recognition also reinforces the importance of our mission – making the world a better place through education. For us, growth isn’t measured only in numbers; it’s about developing meaningful partnerships with families, empowering our team, and shaping spaces where children can thrive.

“Being acknowledged for our business development underscores the impact of our forward-thinking approach, from embracing sustainability to integrating cutting-edge practices that align with our values. It energises us to push boundaries even further, ensuring that kinderzimmer remains at the forefront of early years education.”

Nursery outdoor learning environment of the year, sponsored by Hope

Winner: Bardykes Farm Nursery School

“We are thrilled to accept this award again. Our team and animals have had a great time celebrating together on the farm.”

The SENCO Award

Winner: Gemma Williamson, Roots Federation

“Winning this award is an incredible validation of our efforts and commitment to supporting children and families on their journey toward reaching their fullest potential. Personally, I was shocked, overjoyed and thrilled that my work had been recognised. It’s a recognition of the thoughtful provision we’ve implemented, emphasising that education should be inclusive and considerate of every child’s unique needs. At the heart of our mission is the belief that special educational needs and disabilities is everyone’s responsibility.

“I am truly grateful to the judges for acknowledging our work and dedication. This award not only celebrates our commitment, but also reassures us that we’re heading in the right direction. We are fortunate for the learning opportunities that the children and families we have supported have given us. Their experiences shape our approach and inspire us to continuously improve our provisions.

“Being recognised in this way is immensely rewarding as it confirms that our approach is making a significant difference in people’s lives. The insights and growth we gain from these interactions further fuels our determination. This accolade is not just a milestone but also a motivator, encouraging us to pursue our mission with even greater passion and determination.”

Nursery indoor learning environment of the year, sponsored by YPO

Winner: Partou Storytimes

“On behalf of every one of the hardworking team members and the families who make the nursery what it is, it feels fantastic to receive this esteemed award. Our indoor environment has been carefully designed to empower children to drive their own learning by promoting independence and curiosity. Each age group from zero to five has their own dedicated space. In the baby room, we have created an enabling environment where the youngest children feel at ease and at home.

“As children transition to older rooms, the environment evolves to maintain their interest and imagination. Enchanted play spaces with magical themed backdrops, twinkly lights and natural elements encourage a sense of security and excitement. This dynamic environment not only excites children, but also motivates the team to continually develop it. Importantly, we also have quiet spaces and sensory rooms which are particularly beneficial for children with SEND.”

Apprenticeship scheme of the year, sponsored by Realise

Winner: Grandir

“Winning the NMT ‘Apprenticeship scheme of the year’ award is a significant milestone for our business, reflecting our unwavering commitment to fostering talent and professional development within our organisation. This accolade not only recognises the hard work and dedication of our staff, but also highlights our innovative approach to training and nurturing the next generation of early childhood educators. We are proud to champion a culture of continuous learning and improvement, and this recognition reinforces our belief in the power of apprenticeship programmes. We look forward to building on this success, further enhancing our training initiatives, and continuing to inspire future leaders in early years.”

Nursery personality of the year, sponsored by Grandir UK

Winner: Dave Sinclair, MiChild

“For a start, I was shocked that I had even been nominated, let alone shortlisted, as a finalist for the evening. When my name was read out as winning the award on the night, I couldn’t believe it – and to be honest, I still can’t believe it now.

“For me, my role at MiChild is all that I could ask for. We are one big family and I love working with all the staff and going to each nursery and helping out wherever I can – either with the gardening or driving our minibus and taking the staff and children out on day trips.

“After sadly losing my wife in 2023, MiChild has been like a comfort blanket for me – everyone has been so supportive, kind and generous and being at work and being around individuals that care has definitely helped with my grieving process and recovery.

“It is of course brilliant to be recognized both by my colleagues and across the early years community – but at the same time very humbling, as so much amazing work goes into every nursery setting every single day by incredible and passionate individuals.

“As much as I won the award this year, in reality I would like to think that this is an award for the whole team – as without them I couldn’t do what I do every day.”

Supplier of the year – equipment and services, sponsored by Bright Stars

Winner: Cosy Direct

“This recognition is a testament to the dedication and hard work of our entire team, who strive every day to provide exceptional service and resources to our valued partners in the early years sector.

“Winning this award means a great deal to us because it reflects the trust and confidence that our customers have in us. We are passionate about supporting early years settings with solutions that make a real difference, and this recognition inspires us to continue raising the bar.

“Having this recognition motivates us to innovate further and deepen our commitment to quality, reliability and customer service. It’s a privilege to play a role in helping nurseries create nurturing, stimulating environments for the children they care for.

“We would like to extend our gratitude to our loyal customers for their continued support – this award belongs not only to our team but to everyone who shares our vision for excellence in the early years sector.”

Nursery nurse/childcare practitioner, sponsored by Partou

Winner: Emma Deas, Elmscot Woodlands Day Nursery

“Being recognised as the winner of the NMT ‘Childcare practitioner of the year’ really is such an honour. I feel this award reflects not only my own drive and passion, but also the drive and passion that practitioners both within my setting and beyond showcase daily in order to provide the very best start for our children. We have an innate desire within the sector to provide an enriching curriculum, to ensure that all children are excited and inspired by the opportunities we offer, which is nothing short of what they deserve. I find my role in facilitating this so rewarding. In my 30 years’ experience, my dedication has always been to improve outcomes for all children and receiving this award for doing what I love is humbling and very much appreciated.”

Nursery training and development, sponsored by Partou

Winner: LEYF

“We understand that early years teaching is an art, craft and science, and every child deserves highly skilled teachers to nurture them, teach them, and provide them with the best start in life, regardless of their background. We are also deeply committed to fostering the professional growth of our own staff and our colleagues across the early years sector, through the London Institute of Early Years, our dedicated training arm.

“Winning the NMT ‘Nursery training and development’ award is an honour and an achievement we are incredibly proud of. It underscores and celebrates the high-quality, research-informed training that our team works tirelessly to offer professionals working with young children, from apprentices and teachers to nursery leaders and nursery chefs.

“The breadth of our offering ensures we cater to professionals at every stage of their career. We provide several Cache-endorsed programmes, including the Level 4 award in ‘Promoting sustainability in an early years setting’, and the Level 3 award ‘Building health in the early years for nursery chefs’. Our qualifications range from Level 3 apprenticeships to a full degree in early childhood studies, and we offer a range of our enrichment training programmes, such as ‘Baby you’re fantastic’, ‘Little carpenters’ (integrating woodwork into the curriculum), and ‘Coaching to success’.”

Nursery chef of the year, sponsored by Connect2Care

Winner: Pete Ttofis, Tops Day Nurseries

“Winning ‘Nursery chef of the year. at the NMT Awards is an incredible honour. It’s a privilege to be recognised for doing what I love, creating nutritious, sustainable and exciting meals that fuel young minds and bodies. This award reflects not just my passion but also the support of my incredible team and the smiles of the children we cook for every day.”

New nursery of the year, sponsored by Impact Futures

Winner: Precious Times Day Nursery

“We are so incredibly proud to have won this award. Opening our second setting so soon after establishing our first was a decision we didn’t take lightly. We worked really hard to ensure that great childcare remained our priority and that Precious Times continued to be a positive environment for our staff to thrive in. So it means the world to have the work and effort recognised by winning ‘New nursery of the year’.

“We entered it knowing that we would have some amazing competition, so we are beyond proud to have actually won. It has been amazing to share the news with our staff team, our parents and carers and our own family and friends. We are very grateful to be able to show our staff that they not only impress us with their work, but that they have been recognised nationally for it.”

Individual nursery of the year, sponsored by Kids Inc

Winner: The Old Rectory Nursery

Judges praised the way the team at the Old Rectory Nursery go above, to the point where they are collecting resources while on holiday. “The story of the nursery interweaves with the history and ethos of the nursery,” they said. “The application is warm and personal and you can sense that throughout the whole approach.”

Newcomer of the year, sponsored by Family First

Winner: Laura Rushby, Rand Farm Park Day Nursery & Pre-School

Judges described Laura as a “magical practitioner” and “a true asset”. “The work that Laura has done with a child she works with who has complex needs is inspiring,” they said.