Early years recognised in Queen's Birthday Honours

They include the founder and chief executive of nursery group Kids Allowed, who is appointed MBE for services to apprenticeships.

Nursery owner Jennie Johnson said, ‘I am thrilled that the work we do with our apprenticeship programme, which has seen more than 100 colleagues gain their qualification in the last three years with a further circa 50 per year, has been recognised with an MBE for “services to apprenticeships”.’

‘We have always believed people and their values are the most important thing and that high-quality qualifications delivered by knowledgeable, passionate trainers underpins this to deliver the exceptional service we provide at Kids Allowed to the children and families in our care.’

Also honoured is childminder Penny Webb, who has received a British Empire Medal (BEM), after a nomination by the Professional Association for Childcare and Early Years (PACEY).

Ms Webb, who recently retired as a childminder after 26 years, has been a volunteer since she was a teenage Girl Guide, a parent helper at playgroup, school, and Brownies, and now volunteers for a number of early years organisations.

She set up peer support groups for childminders in her area, ran training, and was a Children Come First network co-ordinator for childminders in Worcestershire for several years.

In 2013 Ms Webb started the first petition against Government plans to cut staff:child ratios in nursery and childminder settings, leading to a nationwide early years campaign against the plans, which were eventually scrapped.

Ms Webb, who received the letter from the Cabinet Office on the day of a celebration event to mark her retirement, said, ‘It is an extreme honour to have been awarded a British Empire Medal in the Queen's Birthday Honours list, as I never thought I would receive this type of recognition for my volunteering.

‘Thanks to PACEY for nominating me. I have always volunteered at a local level and supported my peers in whatever way I can, however it was only when I heard about the Government plans for More Great Childcare and childminding agencies that I found my soapbox and a national voice. Working in partnership with most early years organisations and helping bring them together on matters that concern all of them has been both a pleasure and very rewarding.’

She added, ‘I hope that my BEM will spur others to volunteer and to advocate for children because it does get noticed, and as I am always saying ‘Together we can make a difference'.”

Christine Emery and Joana Smith, two other childminder members of PACEY, were also honoured with a BEM.

Liz Bayram, chief executive of PACEY, said, ‘It is such an achievement to have not one, but three key individuals who have worked with PACEY being honoured in this way. The support that Christine, Joana and Penny have provided to both peers, and to the early years sector as a whole, is second to none.’

A long-serving former national chair and prominent trustee of the National Day Nurseries Association have also both been honoured.

Jacqui Drinkwater, former Scotland national chair, has received an OBE, Order of the British Empire.

Ms Drinkwater was a board member of NDNA for eight years  and played a key role in the development of NDNA Scotland. Jacqui owned and ran two nurseries in Edinburgh.

 ‘Everyone talks about being surprised, humbled and undeserving and I certainly feel all of those things!' she said.

‘I can honestly say that I enjoyed every minute working with NDNA. I hope this award will highlight the achievements made by NDNA in Scotland and more widely across the UK and that it encourages others to get involved in the efforts to raise standards, promote good practice and celebrate success across the early years sector.”

Nikki Batt, NDNA’s East Midlands regional chair, receives a BEM. She is the manager, trustee and director of Kidzone Cranwell, based at RAF Cranwell in Lincolnshire and her award is for her service to RAF families.

‘I’m absolutely delighted. To be recognised really is an honour. The transient nature of military life, moving around, can be overwhelming for children. It’s so important to get the early years right and offer pastoral care to families,' she said.

Purnima Tanuku, chief executive of NDNA, said, ‘This is fantastic news for Jacqui and Nikki and everyone involved with NDNA. It’s great that as an organisation we have such amazing people on board and that their tireless efforts are being recognised at the highest level.’