The group, which has 11 nursery settings and seven play clubs across Somerset, Dorset and Hampshire, marked the occasion with a party at the chain's first nursery in Parkstone, Dorset.
It was attended by long-serving staff members Lyn Wicks, who joined the nursery when it opened in 1990, and Maria Thomas-Luker, who started as an apprentice nursery assistant 18 years ago and is now on the group's board of directors.
The children created a special piece of artwork to represent the growth of the chain, using their handprints to create an image of a tree for a wall hanging.
Nursery director Cheryl Hadland said, 'I am thrilled that we have had the opportunity to celebrate such a landmark anniversary at the nursery where it all began. I had no idea that 20 years on, we would be such a large organisation.
'It's been an enormous pleasure and privilege to be involved with so many children and families over the years and also to watch and support so many colleagues learning and developing. We've all grown and learned so much as the company has expanded.'
In the ten years after opening the Parkstone nursery, Ms Hadland opened two other nurseries in Bournemouth and Wareham in Dorset and completed a masters degree in Education. As well as the other nurseries in Dorset, Hampshire, Somerset and Wiltshire, she opened two care homes, trading under the Hadland Group.
She also set up a specialised care training company called Aspire Training Team.
Most recently she took over the running of a nursery based at the Isle of Wight College which was set for closure last year (News, 12 August 2009).
Ms Hadland said she hopes to continue to expand the business and is currently looking for opportunities.
'In the current economic climate it is very difficult to open a nursery, although I have a couple of new nurseries in the pipeline.'
