On Friday 5 June, at the NDNA Awards 2026 in Liverpool, Young Friends Kindergarten was named Nursery of the Year for England South. Then, in what came as a complete surprise, overall Nursery of the Year for the entire UK.
The NDNA Awards are run by the National Day Nurseries Association and are among the most respected in the early years sector.Judges visit every shortlisted setting before the ceremony, and this year their decision on Young Friends was unanimous.
We are still taking it in.
What moves us most is why they chose us.
Judges’ comments on being awarded Nursery of the Year South:
“This nursery really stood out for the judges. The setting had a really clear and intentional approach to what they wanted to do and how they were going to do it. They had clear curriculum intent and delivered on it. Their child-led approach was embodied in a strong focus on loose parts with no predetermined toys.
Their approach to sustainability was baked into the culture of the setting and ran through their whole ethos. Judges felt that the setting offered a really firm foundation for children’s lifelong education.
Staff development was a focus – induction was prioritised and time was blocked out for staff to do study or research. The setting also demonstrated how they picked up on staff suggestions and implemented real change on the back of them. As a result the judges felt the passion of the team and setting came through the application and the visit report.”
Judges’ comments on being awarded Overall Nursery of the Year
“The overall winner impressed the judges with their innovative engagement with parents, clear ethos and commitment to sharing best practice. The setting was highly focused on their children and this came through the application, the evidence they shared and the site visit.
Judges felt the strong sense of authenticity in the setting’s approach. They have a really clear vision and values embedded across everything they do. To ensure this is embedded there is a mentoring and coaching approach from the senior team all the way down to apprentices and trainees. As a result staff teams were clearly supported and also empowered to deliver against the vision.
Their approach to their growth cycle was highlighted as a really clear way to explain things to parents and provided good engagement with families and clear milestones. Judges were inspired by the approach and what was being done by the nursery. The nursery recognizes that they have something wonderful to share. The settings’ plans around sharing best practice on being a sustainable, child-led nursery can only be good for wider sector.”
This recognition belongs to every member of our team.
The judges saw what our families see every day: educators who care deeply, who listen carefully, and who believe in doing things properly. We are so proud of them.
To our families, thank you.
You understand what early years education can be, and your trust in us matters more than any trophy.
