The founder of Dunky’s Day Nurseries and Forest Schools has been named Businesswoman of the Year for the second time.
Siobhan McCarroll was presented with her award at The Warrington Chamber Plus Business Awards by Carl Oates, Chief Communications Officer of Platform Data Centres. The sold-out event was held at the Halliwell Jones Stadium on Thursday 15th October.
The award is recognition not only of Siobhan’s personal achievements but also of the teams she has built and the important role the business plays in supporting local families and working parents.
Dunky’s were also finalists in three other categories: Employer of the Year, Business of the Year and Young Person/Apprentice of the Year.
Dunky’s is an award-winning family-run business, committed to providing high-quality childcare, inspiring learning, and nurturing environments for children and families across Runcorn, Widnes, Frodsham, and Warrington.
Over the past 20 years, Dunky’s has expanded to seven unique locations, the two most recent ones opening in Hapsford, Frodsham, and a Forest School at Gulliver’s World, Warrington.
The company employs 170 people and cares for over 1,000 children and families across Warrington and the surrounding areas.
Founder and director Siobhan started her career as a nursery nurse before working up to become a manager, and she always dreamed of opening her own group of nurseries.
Over the years she has transformed disused buildings including a former pub, a doctors’ surgery and a church into thriving nurseries, creating employment opportunities for local people. Her largest project was a £1 million investment in Farnworth, bringing together a bespoke nursery and nature-based learning environment, reflecting her belief that children flourish when they can explore, discover and learn outdoors.
Innovation continues to drive the company’s success. Dunky’s expanded further by developing a Forest School at Hapsford and, more recently, partnered with Gulliver’s World to create a Forest School within its grounds. This pioneering project has created an immersive natural learning environment unlike any other in the region.
Siobhan said: “From the very beginning of my career, I knew I wanted to make a difference in children’s lives through high-quality care and education.
“As the sole director and owner of Dunky’s, I lead the business strategically while supporting my management teams through the ever-changing challenges of the early years sector. My role requires me to be adaptable, resilient, and solutions focused.
“Whether navigating recruitment challenges, responding to changes in government funding, or ensuring our nurseries remain financially sustainable, I believe every challenge presents an opportunity to innovate and improve.
“My priority is to ensure we have the right people, culture, and resources in place to deliver outstanding experiences for children and families. I am passionate about investing in our teams, creating opportunities for professional development, and fostering a positive workplace where people feel valued and inspired to succeed.
“Above all, my role is to ensure our business remains financially strong while never losing sight of our core purpose: providing the highest standards of care and education for every child. Seeing our nurseries grow, our teams flourish, and thousands of children thrive over the past two decades is the achievement I am most proud of, and it continues to inspire me every day.”
Siobhan previously won Businesswoman of the Year and Business of the Year at the Warrington Business Awards in 2018 and was also nominated and reached the final three in 2016 and again in 2022.
Dunky’s has nurseries in Culcheth, Farnworth, Great Sankey, Hapsford, Runcorn, Warrington and at Gulliver’s World. All the nurseries have gained either ‘Outstanding’ or ‘Good’ in Ofsted inspections.
Each nursery has strong connections with its local community, and together all seven fundraise for The Children’s Adventure Farm Trust (CAFT) in Millington. Over the last five years Dunky’s has raised over £26k for the charity.
