Early years sector recognised in Queen's birthday Honours

Chief executive John Woodward has been honoured for his services to early years education, while Marg Randles, managing director of Busy Bees, has been recognised for her services to children and families.

The pair, along with their respective spouses and two other teachers, founded Busy Bees in 1984 after feeling frustrated with the lack of good-quality, flexible care available for their own children.

Thirty years on and the nursery group, now part-owned by Teachers’ Private Capital – the investment arm of the Ontario Teachers’ Pensions Fund – operates 297 settings across the UK and South-East Asia, providing more than 21,500 childcare places. It also runs two children’s centres and an independent primary school in this country.

Mr Woodward said, ‘We are honoured to have been nominated and accept the award for and on behalf of loyal colleagues past and present, who have made Busy Bees an integral part of their lives, and have contributed to the growth and success of the nursery group.

‘The most important thing we do at Busy Bees is to ensure that we have the right people at the heart of the business; people who are passionate about delivering the best care, and assuring the best outcomes for our children. It’s an incredibly inspiring time for us all as we continue to expand overseas and we look forward to the challenges ahead.’

Commenting on her award, Ms Randles said, ‘This award is not, and cannot be, about the achievements of one or two people. The strength of Busy Bees is, and always has been, due to the enthusiasm, commitment and passion of our nursery teams who strive to deliver the highest standards of care with the support of our National Support Centre teams - and, of course, to our parents who have chosen Busy Bees as their childcare partner.

‘We are both delighted to accept these awards on behalf of all of the founder Directors, Lynn Woodward, Peter Randles and Dave and Sally Thackray who made it possible to open the first Busy Bees nursery.’

John Woodward and Marg Randles are among 108 people recognised for their contributions to education and children’s services.

Sue Robb, national head of early years at 4Children (pictured), has been awarded an OBE for her services to children and families, while early years consultant and Nursery World columnist James Hempsall has been recognised for his services to childcare.

Ms Robb said of her award, 'I am delighted and honoured to have been awarded the OBE. It is recognition of the work we carry out at 4Children to support families and children across the country so they can have the best possible start in life. This work has been made possible due to the dedication and enthusiasm of my colleagues who have been an incredible team. We look forward to continuing our work with the sector in improving quality and outcomes for all children and families.'

James Hempsall, director of Hempsall’s has worked in the sector for 25 years as an early years and childcare trainer, researcher and consultant.

Over the past three years, he has led the Department for Education’s national support programme for the implementation of the 15 hours of early education for disadvantaged two-year-olds.

Mr Hempsall (pictured) said, ‘Rarely, if ever, does anyone receive such an honour without the privilege of working with amazing colleagues and partners.  And I am no exception. I would like to thank everyone who has helped me along the way from when I first started work, through to our recent project for two-year-olds.’

Also awarded an OBE for services to education is Jack Hatch, head teacher of St Bede primary Academy in Bolton, who set-up the first childminder agency.

Jenny Deeks, head of Coin Street Family and Children’s Centre in Waterloo, receives a MBE for her services to families and children.

Two childminders, Ann Corbett from Bradford, and Sandra Evans from Hertfordshire, have been awarded British Empire Medals (BEM), while the chief executive of the Education Endowment Foundation (EEF), Kevan Collins, receives a knighthood.