Tops Day Nurseries and Cosy Direct win Queen's Award for sustainable development

The nursery group is one of 226 organisations nationally to receive the award for excellence in sustainable development in recognition of its move to be mindful of the environment and challenge industry norms, for instance in tackling the range of disposable and one-use plastics used in settings.

Cosy Direct, a supplier of sustainable nursery and educational equipment has won the same award.

Tops Day Nurseries’ founder and managing director Cheryl Hadland said, ‘We are truly delighted and proud to achieve this award, despite suffering the crippling impact of Covid, and even worse, the underfunding of early years provision in this country in recent years.

‘Early years educators provide the foundations for today’s children to be able to run the country tomorrow, and we believe that an essential part of that is showing our empathy and respect for our environment and all people, animals and plants within it, showing the best example we can for our children to follow.  

‘We welcome this award to celebrate what we have achieved so far, but also to encourage us to continue our sustainability journey and to encourage more nurseries, parents, businesses, and schools to join us, in trying to safeguard our children’s future health and happiness.’

Now in its 56^th year, the Queen’s Awards for Enterprise are open to all businesses. Winners are presented with the award by one of the Queen’s representatives and are able to fly the Queen’s Awards flag at their main office and use the emblem on their marketing materials. The awards are valid for five years.

Cosy Direct

The Derbyshire-based company was founded by husband and wife Peter and Amanda Ellse in 2011 after recognising a need for ethical, imaginative play equipment to encourage outdoor learning.

It employs more than 100 people and offers products including upcycled tyres, climbing frames, reading shelters and story chairs.

Chief Executive Peter Ellse said, ‘We are absolutely over the moon to have been awarded the Queen’s Award for Sustainability in what is Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee year.

‘Sustainability and an ethical approach to business is important to us; we’re also proud to support charities and grassroots projects around the world – including right here in the Midlands.

‘In 2002, we set up the Cosy Fund – now known as the Cosy Foundation – which sees a minimum of 10 per cent of profit made from the business donated to small table-top charities and voluntary organisations.’

• To support early years settings to be more sustainable, Nursery World is running a conference, Sustainability in the Early Years, on 13 July at which Cheryl Hadland will be speaking on 'Creating a sustainable future'. For more information click here