The woman who founded a chain of successful children’s day nurseries almost 30 years ago has received a top industry honour.
Margaret Mason OBE started Children 1st Day Nurseries in 1988, opening her first nursery in Long Eaton, Derbyshire.
Today, her company, of which she is executive chairman, has 24 nurseries across the Midlands and South Yorkshire.
In recognition of her work, she was recently presented with the Outstanding Person Award at the National Day Nurseries Association’s (NDNA) Awards, recognising her lifelong contribution to raising standards across the UK’s early years education sector.
Mrs Mason has worked in childcare and education for more than 60 years and today is still heavily involved in the running of Children 1st Nurseries.
She has also played a fundamental role in founding the National Day Nurseries Association, the national charity which represents children’s day nurseries across the UK.
The charity is now one of the industry’s most respected organisations, with the goal of promoting quality in early years care and education for the benefit of children, their families and the local community.
She said: “It means so much to me to have been presented with this award by my colleagues at the NDNA.
“To think that I have inspired them and other people in the industry is an amazing feeling.
“I have devoted my career to children and it gives me great satisfaction to think I have made a difference in their lives and helped them to get off to the right start in life.
“No-one enters into a career in the childcare and education sector because they are looking for awards and recognition and I am very humbled to receive this award.”
