LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Meet the nominees
In the second of a three-part special feature, we celebrate the inspiring educators nominated for the Belle Tutaev Lifetime Achievement Award 2026
Nominee: Eleanor Hutton
Setting: Explorosity Education
Nominated by: Becca Batten
Managing director Eleanor Hutton has dedicated her career to raising standards in early education, supporting and mentoring professionals, advocating for children's welfare and equal opportunities, and contributing to sector development at both local and national levels. She was awarded an MBE in recognition of her services and is regarded as a trusted voice in early years.
Explorosity Education, which was opened by Eleanor six years ago, has grown into a “thriving, sector-recognised
business with sustained demand, strong retention and deep community trust”.
A parent described the setting as a “home from home”, explaining: “The staff are truly amazing. The whole ethos is fantastic yet quite simple, allowing the children to develop and learn in their own ways and encouraging their curiosities."
Nominee: Amanda Sanders
Setting: Ladybird Forest Pre-school
Nominated by: Victoria Grimes
Amanda has been the “heart and driving force” of Ladybird Pre-school since joining in 2008.
Under her management, the pre-school has undergone two major premises extensions, growing from a small provision into a vibrant 38-place setting.
Recognising the pressures on working parents, Amanda introduced wraparound care, including a well-loved breakfast club. She also leads fundraising initiatives, secures
funding to improve the setting and can often be found doing odd jobs around the pre-school in her own time.
Determined to provide the very best for the children in her care, Amanda achieved an honours degree in early years education while running the setting and raising a family. More recently, she secured an assessor qualification, enabling her to mentor early years educators.
Victoria said: “Amanda leads by example, building strong relationships with children, families and colleagues.
“Her energy, resilience and dedication shine through in everything she does.”
Nominee: Katie McNeil
Setting: Shenfield Village Pre-school
Nominated by: Stella-May Williams
For manager Katie, “nothing is ever too much” and she will “always go the extra mile to make someone's day better”.
Stella-May said: “I feel Katie needs to know how much she is appreciated not just by the staff but also the children. She makes the work place a fun, happy environment [and] she is always thinking of others.
“I feel very privileged to have got to know her and work alongside her. Her guidance and support for me has been amazing and I couldn't think of a better way to say thank you than to nominate her for this award. She truly is a wonderful human being and deserves to be recognised.”
Nominee: Tanya Jenkinson
Setting: Jack and Jill Day Nursery
Nominated by: Kerry Hilbourne
Tanya has been described as a “completely committed" manager who has dedicated herself to Jack and Jill Day Nursery since starting as an apprentice over 30 years ago.
Tanya's support has helped the setting grow from a small provision to one that offers 90 places. She has trained many educators during this time and goes above and beyond to support the child and their family, including building a SEN room for those whose needs were not able to be met by other settings in the area.
Kerry said: “Parents often seek out Tanya forsupport or guidance in whatever is needed, shebuilds a positive relationship with families and willalways do her best to help.
“In 30 years, she has supported many children and staff, taking her role very seriously [and] doing what's best for those in need."
Nominee: Susan Thomas
Setting: Teddy Bears Day Nursery
Nominated by: Sarah Etchells
Having dreamed of working with children from a young age, owner and manager Susan opened Teddy Bears Day Nursery in Hove, East Sussex, in 1991 at the age of 25, having secured a grant from Princes Youth Business Trust, started by the then-Prince Charles.
Sarah explained: “Sue wrote to Prince Charles thanking him for helping her to set up the nursery [and he replied] saying he would try and pop in if he was ever in the area. Hopefully one day he will!”
Sarah explained: “Sue wrote to Prince Charles thanking him for helping her to set up the nursery [and he replied] saying he would try and pop in if he was ever in the area. Hopefully one day he will!”
She added: “Sue is a positive, enthusiastic, dedicated, hardworking nursery manager who cares for every child, staff member and parent at her nursery as if they were her own. She loves seeing all the children arrive daily. Some families have been coming for many years, [and] she recently had a parent who attended herself 33 years ago!”
Nominee: Lisa Fuller
Setting: Buckles and Bows Pre-school
Nominated by: Mike Quinlan
Lisa Fuller is an “exceptional nursery manager” whose dedication, integrity and passion for early years education have shaped Buckles and Bows Pre-school for more than three decades.
Lisa often works early mornings, evenings and weekends to ensure the setting runs smoothly and her practice is “rooted in warmth, patience and genuine joy”.
Mike said: “Lisa has become the steady, compassionate and inspiring presence at the heart of our community. Her leadership has helped generations of children thrive,
supported countless families, and created a workplace where staff feel valued, respected and motivated to give their best.” “Parents frequently tell us how reassured they feel knowing their children are in her care, and the feedback we receive is consistently positive, appreciative and heartfelt.”
When managing director Shayleen emigrated to the UK from South Africa, she was determined to continue her work with children. Having requalified as a teacher, she went on to further specialise as a Senco in a primary school and gained additional qualifications to assess and diagnose dyslexia.
Nominee: Shayleen Orr
Setting: SENspired
Nominated by: Warren Orr
While on maternity leave, Shayleen identified a significant gap in provision within the Barking Riverside area. With her newborn by her side, she began running early years sessions that quickly became a lifeline for local families.
Shayleen went on to open SENspired, a pre-school focused on inclusive practice and getting children ready for school. The setting receives consistent five-star reviews and was awarded Business of the Year 2025 at the Barking and Dagenham Chamber of Commerce.
Shayleen has also developed self-regulation resources used by children internationally and has grown a strong social media presence, which she uses to share ideas and highlight the importance of early years education.
Nominee: Samantha Griffiths
Setting: Morda Pre-school
Nominated by: Lauren Griffiths
Over the last 20 years, Samantha has provided a “listening ear and helping hand”, going out of her way to support parents, advocate for children and encourage her team.
Under Samantha’s managerial leadership, the pre-school has achieved ‘outstanding’ since 2011. One Ofsted report stated: “The manager's passion for providing children with the best possible start in life is infectious and permeates throughout the pre-school."
Samantha is proactive in securing the future of the setting and the early years sector more broadly, supporting her team to embrace training opportunities, mentoring apprentices, leading fundraising efforts and visiting the local college to inspire the next generation.
Lauren said: “Sam’s knowledge, passion, drive and understanding is like no other.”
More nominations next month!
Due to a high number of nominees for this year’s Belle Tutaev Lifetime Achievement Award, we have split the list across three issues to ensure every nominee gets the limelight they deserve.
Part three will be published in the Nov/Dec edition of Under 5.
Under 5 magazine
The magazine of the Early Years Alliance