Championing equality through childcare with NASUWT

Event: NASUWT Annual Conference and regional events

Client: NASUWT – The Teachers’ Union

Venue: Various venues including ACC Liverpool, Harrogate Convention Centre, ICC Birmingham and hotels across the UK

Dates: Throughout the year, the annual conference usually falls over the Easter holidays

Nipperbout service: Full-day childcare including one-to-one support for additional needs for children aged 0–17

Length of partnership: Since 1993

With a membership that’s 70% women, many of whom are single parents or part of dual-teacher households, childcare at NASUWT conferences is an essential part of ensuring equality and accessibility for all delegates.

Nipperbout has supported NASUWT conferences across the UK since 1993, providing a seamless, stress-free service that adapts to the evolving needs of parents and the union. With the Annual Conference usually welcoming more than 200 children and regional events anything from 5 to 100+.

What we delivered

Full-days of event childcare for children aged 0–17
One-to-one support for children with additional needs
Full safeguarding provision, from registration through to data handling
Authorised absence from school support for parents and ‘at childcare’ schooling where needed
Logistical setup and overnight relocation when AV failure forced a venue change
A professional, adaptable team of Purple People, fully briefed self-sufficient and ready to welcome repeat children back after 16 years of attendance

In action at the annual conference

With the Annual Conference always hosted during school holidays, the NASUWT childcare must cater for vast numbers and a wide range of ages across the week. We section the areas appropriately, organise for entertainers and workshops to be hosted and for visits and outings to interesting local attractions to keep all ages amused. From slime making to pottery, museum visits to rides on the big wheel in Liverpool, there is always something someone or somewhere to entertain.

In 2025 when one child with complex needs struggled on the first day, our team quickly assessed the situation and adapted the care provided. A personalised match with a dedicated staff member ensured he not only settled but looked forward to returning for the rest of the week.

At the annual conference, when technical issues required an overnight move of the entire crèche, our team handled the whole operation, logistics, equipment, parent communication, ensuring everything was fully operational by 8:30am the next day ready to welcome children back.

Every year, we host graduation ceremonies for children reaching the age of 17, looking over their years with us and offering a Nipperbout Graduation ‘Purple Person’ shirt. All the children look forward to this celebration, some even return to us as Purple People!

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Impact

Boosts attendance among underrepresented groups, including women, Black members and LGBTQIA+ parents
Authorised absence from school with local authority registration and ‘childcare schooling’ to remove barriers to attendance
Gives delegates peace of mind and the ability to fully engage in conference activities
Delivers adaptive, inclusive childcare that meets professional safeguarding standards
Enables equality in practice, not just in principle

For NASUWT, a crèche is more than a convenience, it’s a commitment to equality. Nipperbout’s ability to deliver trusted childcare, adapt to unexpected challenges and support families with compassion and professionalism makes us a valued partner 30+ years later.

Parent feedback

“Your team’s care played a vital role in our successful participation in the event and allowed us to fully engage.”

“I would be unable to attend without childcare I was confident in.”

Client feedback

“Nipperbout’s service is seamless. From safeguarding to catering, they handle everything independently. I never get surprise costs or extra demands. They’re indispensable.”

Sammy Connell, Head of Events, NASUWT

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