Published September 27, 2024 Written by Rebecca Smith

How NDNA gives nursery owners a stronger voice and holds governments to account

Nursery owners and managers are always impacted by changes and initiatives made by governments, local authorities, government departments and others.

You may wonder who can speak up for your concerns and represent your views and arguments. You may wonder how you, as a nursery owner, can reach those in power and try to influence decisions that affect your business?

National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) was set up as a trade association for nursery businesses, so that they had a stronger voice. After all, a collective voice is much louder than a lone one. As a member you can join our campaigns and be heard by MPs, policy makers and local authorities. NDNA is a large membership body, so with the help of our members we have real influence and drive the changes we need for a sustainable early years sector.

NDNA has a direct line to the media and governments in all three nations because of our strong member base, sector research, national reputation and long term relationships. With our active local networks, NDNA members are never on their own!

NDNA is able to give our members a stronger voice and greater influence on policy decisions that affect your businesses. We have a long and demonstrable track record of representation within the highest levels of government and government departments, from the DfE and Ofsted, to Care Inspectorate in Scotland and to CIW in Wales.

A summary of our work to give you a stronger voice in 2023-24

Who do we meet and how often?

Number of meetings with government ministers – 20
Miles travelled representing members – 7,000
Number of meetings with committees – 70

When we meet with ministers and policy makers, we present information that reflects the challenges faced by the sector. We make sure that we gather views and data from our members in order to influence decisions that affect your nursery business. Please see the pictures of Purnima Tanuku, OBE, NDNA’s Chief Executive Officer, outside number 10 Downing Street, with new Education Secretary, Bridget Phillipson, and outside the Scottish Parliament.

How we use research to advance the cause of early years education and care

Research articles published and presented to ministers – 12

Our research covers everything from the positive impact of early education and care on young children to sending Freedom of Information requests to local authorities to find out what their underspend on early years funding might be. We carry out this research in order to show how important day nurseries are to the life chances of young children and that nurseries need the adequate funding and support to keep on providing the highest quality care that children need.

You can read about some of our latest research below:

How NDNA designs and runs campaigns to highlight the positive impact of the work you do

Campaigns launched – eight.

As an example, our #Firstfiveyearscount campaign celebrates the early years sector and all they do to make the first five years of a child’s life count. The early years sector educates over 1.5 million children between the ages of 0 to 5 in the UK every day. Our #Firstfiveyearscount video highlights the dedication early years professionals show every day to create positive environments for our children to learn, develop and thrive. Here’s how you know the #Firstfiveyearscount. Watch our video here.

How we give nurseries a stronger voice in the media

Because of NDNA’s influence and strong membership base, we are often invited to speak to the media. Again, we are able to give our members a stronger voice on the issues affecting their nursery businesses. We have also facilitated many member appearances on national news programmes to showcase their nurseries and provide the personal story to the challenges you face.

Press articles – 350
TV and radio appearances – 48.

How can you get involved and give your nursery business a stronger voice?

First Five Years Count campaign – share with your community #FirstFiveYearsCount
Free webinars to hear your views or to connect you to government speakers. 95% of members attending say these events give them a stronger voice on these issues
Local NDNA networks – benefit from mutual support from similar business owners in your area
NDNA Awards – promote your nursery by entering our prestigious NDNA Awards, which celebrate the achievements of the sector.

NDNA is only able to give nurseries a stronger voice because of the support of our members. To add your voice to our campaigns for the sector, become a NDNA member today – join us.

Join NDNA