Celebrating National Nursery Practitioner Day
National Nursery Practitioner Day, which started in 2018, takes place on the 17th of October and is all about recognising the incredible work of those in nurseries and early years education. Nursery practitioners play a huge role in shaping children’s futures, as positive experiences in these early years lay the foundation for success later in life. Their impact goes far beyond just the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)—they help nurture and support children’s development in ways that last a lifetime.
What is National Nursery Practitioner Day
National Nursery Practitioner Day was created in 2018 by Little Pioneers, Cooperative Childcare to celebrate the amazing work done by them. It came about after reports showed that a quarter of nursery staff in the UK were considering leaving their jobs due to stress and mental health challenges. This day is a chance to recognise and appreciate the hard work nursery practitioners do in nurturing the next generation.
Despite their important role in children’s lives, those working in childcare and nurseries often don’t receive the recognition they deserve. They work long hours for relatively low pay, yet their impact is huge. From firsthand experience, I know that being a nursery practitioner can be incredibly demanding. It involves juggling long hours, endless paperwork, ongoing professional development, and, of course, the day-to-day care of children—everything from planning activities and assessing progress to changing nappies and wiping noses. And let’s not forget about the effort it takes to build strong relationships with parents!
Much of what nursery practitioners do often goes unnoticed, which is why National Nursery Practitioner Day is so important—it’s a moment to truly appreciate the dedication and effort that goes into shaping young lives.
The role of a nursery practitioner
Nursery practitioners, also known as early years practitioners or educators, play a vital role in the mental, social, emotional, and educational development of babies and young children aged 0–5 years. Working in settings like nurseries, schools, and other childcare environments, they create nurturing experiences that shape the early stages of a child’s life.
These practitioners are often described as empathetic, caring, and responsible, with a deep passion for supporting children during their most formative years. Their work goes far beyond simply looking after children—they are specialists in early development, guiding children through key milestones and building an environment where they can learn and develop confidently.
A key part of their role is helping children meet the developmental goals set out in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). This framework sets the standards for care, learning, and development from birth to age five, covering important areas like communication, language, physical development, and personal, social, and emotional growth. Nursery practitioners use the EYFS to plan activities that promote learning through play, observing and assessing each child’s progress to ensure they are developing at their own pace.
By encouraging social skills, supporting emotional wellbeing, and introducing early education, nursery practitioners help children reach key milestones such as learning to speak, walk, share, and build early literacy and numeracy skills. They also work closely with parents to extend learning at home, ensuring children are well-prepared for the next stage of their educational journey.
Celebrating National Nursery Practitioner Day
This year marks the 7th National Nursery Practitioner Day, and it’s a wonderful opportunity to show appreciation for the amazing work nursery practitioners do each day. Each nursery and childcare setting celebrates in its own unique way, and we hope that more childcare providers, parents, and children will join in the celebrations than ever before!
Here are some ideas on how you can celebrate the day:
- Host a thank you event
Organise a small celebration at your nursery or childcare setting where children and parents can thank the practitioners. This could include a tea party, special treats, or even homemade cards from the children.
- Create a wall of appreciation
Set up a “Thank You” wall where children, parents, and staff can leave messages of gratitude for the nursery practitioners. It’s a simple but heartfelt way to show appreciation for all their hard work.
- Social media shout-outs
Share your thanks on social media using the hashtag #NurseryPractitionerDay. Highlight the contributions of your team, share stories of their impact, or post fun photos of the celebrations.
- Gift vouchers or tokens of appreciation
A small gift, such as a voucher or a token of appreciation, can go a long way in showing how much nursery practitioners are valued.
- Special recognition awards
Hold an awards ceremony where you recognise the unique qualities and contributions of each practitioner. Whether it’s “Best Storyteller” or “Most Creative Playtime Ideas,” it’s a fun way to honour their strengths.
- Professional development day
Invest in your team by offering a professional development session or workshop. This could help practitioners feel valued and supported in their ongoing learning and career growth.
- Surprise treats or lunch
Organise a surprise lunch or bring in treats like cakes, chocolates, or fruit baskets to show your appreciation. It’s a small gesture that can make their day.
National Nursery Practitioner Day is all about celebrating the incredible dedication and impact nursery professionals have on children’s lives. Whether it’s a big gesture or a small one, every bit of appreciation helps these amazing practitioners feel valued and recognised for the vital work they do.
However, we know there’s still much more to be done to raise awareness and appreciation for the role that early years educators, practitioners, leaders, and managers play. And we believe you should be valued not just one day a year, but every day. That’s why we’re running a sector-wide wellbeing survey—and we’d love for you to have your say! By contributing to our survey, together we can help bring the sparkle back to early years education and create a healthier, happier environment for everyone.
You can use the form on this page to pre-register for the free downloadable report and webinar by Jamie Victoria. In this session, Jamie will address the key issues you’re facing and offer practical tips to help you rediscover your own sparkle, while reigniting your team’s too.
To all nursery practitioners and educators out there, we want to say a BIG thank you for everything you do every day! Your hard work, dedication, and care make a world of difference in the lives of young children and their families. You are truly appreciated by our team here at Connect Childcare!
Complete the survey before it’s too late!
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Content Marketing Executive at Connect Childcare
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