We’re in The Sunday Times Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers 2026

We have some exciting news. Hungry Caterpillar Day Nurseries is named in The Sunday Times Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers 2026. Specifically, we’re ranked #58 in the UK.

For a family-founded nursery group, this recognition means everything to us.

What is the Sunday Times Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers list?

Each year, The Sunday Times independently ranks the UK’s best employers for apprenticeships. In particular, they assess organisations on how well they recruit, develop, and support their apprentices. It’s one of the most respected employer rankings in the country. As a result, being included in the Top 100 is a genuine mark of quality.

We’re proud to stand alongside some of the UK’s most well-known organisations. Even so, we’re proudest that we got here as a small, independent, family-run business.

Why apprenticeships matter to us

Apprenticeships have always been central to how we build our team. Above all, we look for people who genuinely care about working with children and then we invest in them properly.

Our apprentices don’t just shadow other staff. From day one, they’re part of the team. They build real relationships with children and families. In addition, they develop the skills to grow a long-term career in early years. Many of the people who lead our nurseries today started out as apprentices. We’re very proud of that.

What this means for our nurseries

For parents, this recognition offers real reassurance. The people who care for your children are well-trained, well-supported, and part of a team that takes professional development seriously.

Furthermore, when we invest in our people, families feel the difference. A happy, confident, well-supported team creates a nurturing, settled nursery. That’s what we work towards every day, across all eight of our settings.

The Caterpillar Academy – putting it into practice

Recognitions like this mean more when they’re backed up by action. Last month, we opened the Caterpillar Academy at our Northolt nursery — a dedicated space for staff training, professional development, and wellbeing. It’s the clearest sign yet of our commitment to investing in our team. Because when our people feel supported and valued, your children feel the difference every single day. Read more about the Caterpillar Academy here →

Thank you

This award belongs to every apprentice who has ever been part of the Hungry Caterpillar family, past and present. It also belongs to the managers and mentors who believed in them and helped them grow.

Thank you for everything you bring to our nurseries, every single day.

Interested in an apprenticeship with us?

We’re always looking for warm, passionate people to join our team. So if you’re thinking about a career in early years, or you know someone who is, we’d love to hear from you.

→ Visit our Careers page to find out more