dot2dot celebrates 21st anniversary with charitable giving, donating to organisations making a difference for children

As a month of celebrations marking dot2dot's 21st birthday draws to a close, the nursery insurer shares the results of their recent charity donation initiative. This summer, to commemorate 21 successful years of our award-winning nursery insurance scheme, nurseries were invited to nominate charities making a profound impact on the lives of children and young people, particularly those in Early Years education.

Founded in 2003, dot2dot offers a specialist nursery insurance product, developed by managing director Jackie Hyde that caters specifically to the unique challenges faced by Early Years Education providers.

Unlike other options in the market, dot2dot provides tailored support, ensuring that when unexpected challenges such as catastrophic fires, safeguarding issues, or cyber-attacks arise, our clients have access to an unparalleled network of experts.

This combination of insurance excellence and personal support has been the cornerstone of their growth, culminating in a significant milestone this September when their Gross Written Premium exceeded £7 million.

Remarkably, 22 of their first clients continue to place their trust in them today.

Speaking on behalf of dot2dot, Jackie said: “The nursery sector has been incredibly good to us and we love working alongside such a vital part of the economy. To celebrate our 21st birthday, it felt fitting to give something back to the community that has supported us so generously over the years.”

After receiving numerous heartfelt nominations, 21 remarkable charities were shortlisted and invited the public to vote for their favourites. The response was overwhelming, with more than 3,000 votes cast. Reuben’s Retreat and Brightest Star were selected as the top two winners, each receiving £5,000 to support their missions.

Nicola Graham, founder of Reuben’s Retreat, expressed her gratitude: “Every penny will contribute to the invaluable work we do to support families facing uncertainty and those who have experienced the loss of a child.”

Similarly, Arlene Smith, founder of Brightest Star, remarked: “The death of a child remains a taboo subject. Thanks to initiatives like this, we can raise awareness and provide vital support for those who have loved and lost.”

While these two charities emerged as the top winners, dot2dot's Jackie Hyde believed that every shortlisted charity deserved to benefit. In keeping with the spirit of our anniversary, she announced that all 21 charities would receive donations, with each of the remaining 19 charities being awarded £250. These donations will go toward supporting various projects, directly benefiting children and young people across the UK.

Here are just a few examples of how these donations will make an impact:

RAFA Kidzone Limited will enhance educational resources like books, deployment packs, and Forest School activities to support children's learning and development.
The Elizabeth Foundation, which aids young deaf children, will fund six intensive speech and language sessions to help children develop communication skills before starting school.
Bolton Children's Opportunity Group plans to use their donation to provide Christmas presents for the children in their care.
Youth Leads UK will allocate the funds to their Bolton Youth Leadership Programme, a 12-week initiative aimed at empowering underprivileged young people with essential life skills.
Chapeltown Community Nursery will host a Christmas party for children and families, ensuring a memorable festive celebration.
St Catherine's Preschool will improve its outdoor play area by working with the local Community Shed to build a mud kitchen and playhouse.
Little Acorns Nursery will invest in new resources for an upcoming nursery expansion, specifically catering to children under two.
Team Charlie moves closer to funding "Charlie's Retreat," a Cotswold holiday home offering respite to children with cancer and their families.
24th South West Leeds (Farnley) Scout Group will use their donation to support adventurous activities and camping trips for their scouts.

Reflecting on the success of the charity campaign, Jackie said, “Celebrating our 21st anniversary by giving back to these wonderful charities has been an incredible experience. Each of these organisations plays a vital role in the lives of children and young people, so we’re honoured to contribute to their essential work.”

We extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who participated in the voting process and congratulate all the charities for the incredible work they do. Here's to another 21 years of supporting the Early Years community and making a positive impact together!