Mrs Murphy said, 'I am absolutely delighted to receive this honour and I am pleased to accept it as a recognition of the work of the NDNA. This public acknowledgement reflects how much society now values day nursery provision and the growth of the sector.'
Others honoured with the MBE included childminder Dorothy Grey, for services to early years education in the London borough of Wandsworth, and Linda Harris, a nursery nurse at Three Crowns Community Special School in Walsall, West Midlands, for services to children with special educational needs.
Rosemary Murphy, chief executive of the National Day Nurseries Association Chief Executive, was awarded the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the Queen's Birthday Honours List for her work in early years.
She said, 'I am delighted to receive this honour and pleased to accept it as a recognition of the work of the NDNA. This public acknowledgement reflects how much society now values nursery provision and the growth of the sector.'
Rosemary Murphy was appointed NDNA chief executive in November 1998, having been the national chair for three years. She joined the NDNAwhile it was preparing to launch itself nationally and became branch chair for Kirklees, then the West Yorkshire member of the national committee.
A qualified teacher, she set up her first day nursery with her husband Michael in 1991, then took over a second site in 1997.
Rosemary has fought long and hard to ensure that this sector plays a real part in the national debate. She believes it is essential that each sector takes responsibility for ensuring standards are raised and high-quality service is achieved.
NDNA chair Sarah Carr added, 'This is wonderful news that Rosemary's hard work on behalf of the Association has been rewarded in this way. This takes the NDNA into another sphere.'
