Nursery owners and managers have been recognised in the 2025 New Year Honours List for their services to the early years sector.

Lucy Driver, executive headteacher at St Pauls Nursery School and Children’s Centre in Bristol, was appointed Order of the British Empire (OBE) in recognition of her dedication to early childhood education and her transformative impact on countless children and families.

Driver, who is also lead at Bristol and Beyond Regional Early Years Stronger Practice Hub, and an early years consultant, said she had been very surprised to open the letter informing her she would be receiving an OBE, as she had left it unopened for days thinking it was a bill.

She said her work had enabled her to “connect with wider partners over the years: great leaders in nursery schools, private voluntary and independent nurseries and childminders, inspiring  early years teams in  Bristol and other local authorities, Family Hub and Children’s Centre teams, health professionals, primary and secondary colleagues, and research partners.” 

She added: “It’s these connections that continue to ignite my drive for continued improvement, integration and development in the early education and care.  In collaborating together during those first years, building a team around the child and family which is both respectful and empowering, we know we can really make a sustainable difference.” 

Lisa Evans, manager at Abacus Nursery and Childcare in Kent, and Nichole (Nicki) Garner, early years manager at North Tyneside Council were appointed Members of the Order of the British Empire (MBE), as was Dr Mine Conkbayir, early years researcher and author.

Garner first joined North Tyneside Council in  January 1981 as a nursery nurse in Wallsend day Nursery. Julie Firth, director of children’s services at North Tyneside Council, said: “The contribution Nicki has made to hundreds, if not thousands, of children’s lives in North Tyneside is nothing short of inspirational, and I am delighted to see her receive lifelong recognition.”

Among those awarded the British Empire Medal were Kay Haffenden, chair of Kamelia Kids Day Care and Beach School in West Sussex, Ann Harvey, chair of governors at Bentilee Nursery School, Stoke on Trent, Janet Macgregor, owner and senior manager at Smithfield House Children’s Nursery, City of London and Sally Martiello, manager at Oakley Kindergarten, Bedford.

Macgregor, who opened Smithfield House Children’s Nursery in April 2011 and has worked in childcare for more than 30 years, said: “I work very hard at what I do to provide the best possible learning environment and outcomes for the children in my care. I am very humbled to have been awarded a BEM, I feel I am just doing my job, so the recognition is wonderful.”

Haffenden became a trustee at Kamelia Kids in December 2013, and is the setting’s Safeguarding Lead Trustee. She said: “I have been very proud to be part of great staff and trustee teams who have worked to make the nursery the success it is today. We have many more exciting plans ahead!”

Harvey was previously a nursery teacher at schools including Clarence St Infants and Trent Vale Day Nursery, having started her National Nursery Examination Board course in 1960. “As chair of governors at the only remaining nursery school in Stoke on Trent Ann has tirelessly campaigned and supported nursery school education,” said Juliet Levingstone, headteacher at Bentilee Nursery. “At the age of 81 she is incredible and has the energy of someone half her age.”

Also awarded the British Empire Medal were Jacqueline Morgan, manager at King Square Community Nursery, London, Philip Siddell, co-owner of Humpty Dumpty Day Nurseries and National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) trustee, and Barbara Spiby, manager of Clifton Playgroup, Rugby.

NDNA chief executive Purnima Tanuku, who was appointed Commander of the British Empire (CBE) in the 2025 New Year Honours List, said:  “We are delighted to see Philip receive an award for everything he has done both to support his local community and promote children’s early education. He has been instrumental, as an NDNA trustee, in driving our aims of seeing all children thrive through access to high quality early education and care.”