SME News UK Enterprise Awards 2025/ 66 Best Childcare Provider 2025 – York The early years of a child’s life are crucial for their later development, laying the foundation for their future well-being, learning, and behaviour. Investing in these formative years can provide a number of advantages for the child later in life, and no childcare provider is as dedicated to this cause as Muddy Boots Nurseries – a family-run group of early years settings that has been recognised in the UK Enterprise Awards 2025. We spoke to Andrew Nimmo below, Co-Founder and CEO of Muddy Boots Nurseries, to learn more. Muddy Boots Nurseries was founded in 2011 by Andrew and Anna Nimmo, with the vision of establishing dynamic, standard setting nurseries that provide the very best educational opportunities. What first began as three weekly parent and toddler groups in Acomb, has quickly evolved to cater to more than 1,000 families. Now, Muddy Boots Nurseries stands as a network of nurseries spread across York and Leeds, with locations in Acomb, Poppleton, Park Grove, Stamford Bridge, Wilberfoss, Drighlington, Gildersome, and Morely. a heartfelt mission: to help every child thrive into their unique self. This commitment, combined with our forward-thinking mindset, has helped us grow from three toddler groups in a church hall to one of Yorkshire’s most trusted early years providers.” One of the most distinctive ways in which Muddy Boots Nurseries leads the field is through its unique outdoor-first philosophy. Prioritising outdoor experiences, the company’s settings offer rich outdoor environments that promote exploration, creativity, and a connection to nature. Through spaces such as the Nature School at its Poppleton site, complete with more than nine acres of land and heated teepee tents, Muddy Boots Nurseries offers a rich, year-round outdoor curriculum that few others can match. “It’s a space where children can truly connect with nature,” Andrew added, “and it reflects our belief that children learn best when they’re free to explore.” Leading the field requires continual innovation and, for Muddy Boots Nurseries, staying ahead of the curve means answering the ongoing question of what can improve – for the children in its care, for their families, and for the team. The company invests in continuous innovation across all areas of its settings – from the way it structures environments to how it communicates with families. This commitment to interestdriven learning ensures that each child’s experience is uniquely tailored and constantly evolving. “We’re not stuck in old models; we adapt our approach as children’s needs and the world around them change.” Growth and innovation will lay the foundation for Muddy Boots Nurseries’ future plans. Over the next 12-24 months, the company will be focused on expanding its settings across Yorkshire and the North of England, continuing to meet the growing demand for exceptional early years care. Now, new locations are actively being developed to bring Muddy Boots Nurseries’ signature mix of high quality education, outdoor learning, and warm, home-from-home environments to even more families. “Alongside new locations,” Andrew concluded, “we’re making largescale investments into our current settings, upgrading facilities, enriching environments, and enhancing the experiences of both children and staff. By the end of 2025, we aim to be supporting more than 1,500 families across multiple locations, recognised as one of the leading early years groups in the North of England, established as a benchmark employer in the sector, and above all, a place where children can thrive into their unique selves – rooted in curiosity, confidence, and a love for the outdoors.” Contact: Andrew Nimmo Company: Muddy Boots Nurseries Web Address: www.muddybootsnursery.co.uk Offering full-day childcare services focused on interest-driven learning, outdoor adventures, and family engagement, Muddy Boots Nurseries caters to families with children between the ages of six weeks and five years. It strives to offer a nurturing, home-from-home environment in which each child can grow, develop, and thrive into their unique self while being encouraged and inspired to truly explore the world around them. Since its inception, Muddy Boots Nurseries’ ethos has been built upon three core values: passion for people, bringing the best, and continually learning and growing. These values are not only integral to its daily operations but also shape the company’s long-term aspirations. This philosophy is reflected in every aspect of the nursery’s approach – from tailoring learning to each child’s evolving interests, to ensuring that each child discovers and connects with nature, to fostering strong relationships with families through open communication. “Our unique selling point,” said Andrew, “lies in the combination of high quality, individualised early years care, a deeply committed and consistent team, and our nature-based approach to learning. We aren’t a ‘cookie-cutter’ nursery chain – we’re a family-run group with
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