THE founder of a flourishing nursery chain has received another prestigious award for her contribution to childcare, only months after receiving an OBE.

CEO of Kids Planet, Clare Roberts, from Lymm, was ‘honoured’ to be given the Outstanding Contribution Award at the National Nursery Management Today Awards 2022.

Nearly 15 years after first setting up the nursery group, originally based in Warrington and Widnes, the chain has now expanded to more than 140 sites across the UK and cares for approximately 15,000 children.

Kids Planet was nominated as finalists for five categories at the ceremony held at the Park Plaza, Westminster Bridge in London on Saturday November 19.

The awards evening celebrates and recognises achievements within the nursery sector and has been held annually for two decades.

Clare first began Kids Planet to accommodate with the childcare needs she couldn’t find anywhere else, having had her first child and struggling to find a nursery that worked around flexible hours.

But since its opening in 2008, the chain has received non-stop credit for its exceptional childcare services and was last year ranked number 1 childcare provider in the UK for quality.

Referring to the CEO’s second win of the year, Briony Richter, Editor at Nursery Management Today magazine, said:

“Clare Roberts is a truly inspirational leader and a real champion for the early years sector.

“Through the many challenges that the sector has faced, Clare has been a voice that motivates and inspires all those who work around her.

“She has ensured that as Kids Planet grows, staff are supported every step of the way with numerous training and career development opportunities.

“Her passion shines through in the quality of care that is delivered by Kids Planet across the country.”

Clare’s successful group has also expanded further to deliver its own training programme, based in Knutsford, allowing the business to train its employees in-house.

“I am still in total shock to have received the Outstanding Contribution award at the Nursery Management Today Awards,” Clare said.

“Thank you so much to those who voted for me and thank you to everyone who works within Kids Planet Day Nurseries and across the Early Years Sector for the hard work and dedication you show to our profession.

"You are the ones who do the most important job each day.

“It is really important during the challenging times our sector finds ourselves in, that we all have one united voice to navigate through these whilst working together to find the best outcomes for children,” She added.