Finalists announced for National Day Nurseries Association Nursery awards

The finalists for the NDNA Nursery Awards 2013 have been announced, after receiving thousands of nominations from parents.

The awards are the only nursery awards nominated by parents and for the first time, will be judged in partnership with Netmums, the UK’s biggest parenting website.

Eleven nurseries, from across the UK have been shortlisted for the NDNA Nursery of the Year Award.

The award recognises the contribution good quality nurseries make to the lives of children and parents.

Purnima Tanuku, chief executive of said: “As usual there has been a fantastic response to the awards and we have received a record number of nominations from parents. It is great to read the nominations and see how nurseries make a real difference to the lives of parents and children; it reflects how many high quality day nurseries there are in the UK. All the short-listed nurseries and practitioners are of an extremely high standard so choosing overall winners will be a real challenge.”

Three practitioners have been shortlisted for the NDNA Nursery Practitioner of the Year Award, supported by Asda. The winners will be announced on 20 June at an awards dinner at NDNA’s conference at Peterborough Arena.

NDNA will also name the NDNA Member Champions 2013. This award recognises members who have gone out their way to support fellow members and the sector.

Judges will select five regional/national winners, who will each win £400 of Hope Education vouchers to spend on nursery equipment, and one overall winner who will receive an additional £1,000 worth of Hope Education vouchers.

The NDNA Nursery Practitioner of the Year will win £200 of spa vouchers to enjoy some relaxation time and £200 in cash for their nursery to spend on new equipment.

Anna Re, from leading education resource supplier, Hope Education said: “This year has a fantastic collection of finalists and we wish them all the very best of luck. Being involved in the judging process is one of our annual highlights and we’re looking forward to a great night at the awards. This is a prestigious event and all the finalists should be very proud.”

Jory Chambers, Asda business manager said: “We are delighted to support the Practitioner of the Year award, which recognises nursery staff members who go the extra mile to support the children and families they work with. It has been touching to hear stories from parents about the difference nursery practitioners have made to the lives of families. Congratulations to the three shortlisted practitioners – the standard of entries was extremely high.”

The finalists for the NDNA Nursery of the Year Award are:

Central England

Rye Hills Farm fay Nursery, Northampton

Nature Trails Day Nursery, Rugby

North of England

Bright Beginnings Childcare Centre, Leeds

Kinder Haven, Pudsey, Leeds

St Aiden’s Day Nursery, Carlisle

Scotland

Melville Street Nursery, Edinburgh

Cranley Nursery, Colinton, Edinburgh South of England

The Teepee, Bracknell

Nutfield Day Nursery, Redhill

Wales

Plantos Day Nursery, Cardiff

The Flowers Day Nursery, Swansea

The finalists in the NDNA Nursery Practitioner of the Year award are:

Anne Craignes – Happy Feet Nursery & Out of School Club

Simon Evans – Little Acorns Day Nursery

Jenny Bramhall – Kids Planet Beaumont