Sarah Steel, founder of The Old Station Nursery Group, has been appointed Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the King’s Birthday Honours.

Steel served as chair of trustees at the National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) from 2021 to early 2025, and was the driving force behind the growth of The Old Station Nursery, which she founded in 2002. She still sits on NDNA’s policy advisory board.

The award was made in recognition of Steel’s outstanding contribution to the early years sector, and her lifelong dedication to improving the lives of young children and their families through high-quality early education.

“I am incredibly proud and deeply humbled to be awarded an OBE in the King’s Birthday Honours,” she said. “I’m especially grateful to the NDNA for nominating me—this recognition truly reflects the dedication of so many amazing people I’ve had the privilege to work alongside over the years. I feel immensely lucky to be part of such a passionate and impactful sector, and to be able to help shape the lives of children and families across the country.”

Purnima Tanuku, NDNA executive chair, said: “We are delighted to see Sarah honoured in this way for all her hard work and dedication in promoting and supporting children’s early education. As a longstanding member of NDNA’s policy advisory board and chair of trustees for four years, she has been a driving force in our work to ensure all children thrive through access to high quality early education and care.” 

She added: “During her time as chair of trustees, Sarah steered NDNA through some very challenging years for the sector, including the Covid pandemic, the cost of living crisis and many changes in government policies as funded childcare has expanded across the UK. 

“Sarah has been a tireless campaigner and advocate for the sector as well as being committed to excellence in her own nurseries.  We are proud to continue to work alongside Sarah and are happy to say that this honour is thoroughly well deserved.” 

Steel won the Lifetime Achievement Award at the most recent National NMT Nursery Awards. Judges said: “Sarah’s dedication to empowering others is nothing short of inspirational and the judges admired the strong team values and ethos of The Old Station Nursery.”