Author: A. Walker

Government is underfunding us – 95% of nurseries say

A comprehensive survey probing private, voluntary and independent nurseries’ financial sustainability has uncovered a dire picture with 85% of childcare businesses in England making a loss or only breaking even. Ahead of the Comprehensive Spending Review, National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) reveals the shocking landscape in which nurseries and childcare settings are operating, with 95%… Continue reading Government is underfunding us – 95% of nurseries say

NDNA appoints two new Directors

National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) has appointed a Director of Policy and Communications and a new Director of Business Development as part of plans to enhance the support and representation the sector needs at this critical time. As providers in the early years sector face challenges in delivering government funded childcare places and the uncertainties… Continue reading NDNA appoints two new Directors

NDNA tells MPs simplify funding rules to help parents and providers

NDNA’s Director of Policy and Communications, Jonathan Broadbery, today gave evidence to the Department of Work and Pension’s Select Committee regarding how parents on Universal Credit accessed quality early education and childcare places. He also highlighted the wider issues the sector is facing and advanced NDNA’s case for increased investment and a simplified childcare system for parents… Continue reading NDNA tells MPs simplify funding rules to help parents and providers

Ofsted: guidance on significant events or changes to health

NDNA had an urgent meeting today (13 January) with Ofsted about the guidance document ‘Childcare: reporting significant events and changes to health’. This has been taken down by Ofsted for review and we welcome this approach. We understand that it will be made clearer that the guidance will only apply to the registered person whose suitability… Continue reading Ofsted: guidance on significant events or changes to health

How many staff and children are absent – January quick poll

NDNA put together a very short survey for all nurseries across England, Scotland and Wales to find out the proportion of members of staff and children who are currently absent from their early years setting. The survey simply asks what percentage of usual numbers of staff and children are absent during this week (week commencing 17 January). Please… Continue reading How many staff and children are absent – January quick poll

Struggling settings can ask for an Ofsted inspection deferral

Ofsted has announced that early years settings in England which are currently significantly affected by the Covid pandemic can ask for a deferral of their routine inspection. The inspectorate officially resumed its routine inspection work this week which was paused in December. In the announcement they offered to defer inspections for those nurseries which are… Continue reading Struggling settings can ask for an Ofsted inspection deferral

Ofsted report: 98% still good or outstanding but more recent inspection concerns

Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector Amanda Spielman launched Ofsted’s Annual Report 2020-21 today. The report covered the year to September 2021 during which the Inspectorate carried out fewer inspections than normal due to closures and restrictions. Although 98% of nurseries and pre-schools still remain judged as good (76%) or outstanding (22%) there are concerns about the numbers… Continue reading Ofsted report: 98% still good or outstanding but more recent inspection concerns

New shadow education ministers in place

Labour has appointed a new Shadow Secretary of State for Education and Shadow Early Years Minister for their Shadow Cabinet. Bridget Phillipson, (pictured left) MP for Houghton and Sunderland, was appointed as the new Shadow Secretary of State for Education following in the footsteps of Kate Green. Over the weekend, former Shadow Childcare Minister Tulip… Continue reading New shadow education ministers in place

Child of the North report: Inequalities have worsened during pandemic

A report published today by the Northern Health Science Alliance, Child of the North: Building a fairer future after Covid-19 paints a stark picture caused by chronic underfunding in the North of England. Inequalities which existed before Covid have deepened, with children in the North East, North West and Yorkshire and Humber being disproportionately affected. They now… Continue reading Child of the North report: Inequalities have worsened during pandemic

Reach for the stars – we launch NDNA Nursery Awards 2022!

National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) is excited to launch its 2022 Nursery Awards after a break of two years due to the pandemic – with some new and updated categories. NDNA’s Nursery Awards are the only ones to feature awards where parents have the opportunity to vote and show their appreciation for their child’s nursery… Continue reading Reach for the stars – we launch NDNA Nursery Awards 2022!

Funding rates to rise for 22-23 by less than inflation

Today the Government has published its early years entitlement funding rates from the Department for Education to local authorities in England for two, three and four-year-old places. Most councils will receive an increase of 17p per hour for three and four-year-olds which for the areas with the lowest funding rate of £4.44 is an increase… Continue reading Funding rates to rise for 22-23 by less than inflation

Fabulous NMT awards night celebrates sector

Congratulations to all the winners and finalists who celebrated at the NMT 19th National Nursery Awards 2021 on Saturday. NDNA’s CEO Purnima Tanuku OBE put on her finery to attend along with Director of Policy and Communications Jonathan Broadbery and Director of Business Development Cara Brundle who caught up with many NDNA members at the… Continue reading Fabulous NMT awards night celebrates sector

Funded places for all two-year-olds in Wales

A deal between the Welsh Labour Government and Plaid Cymru in the Senedd will mean that a programme of work – including expanding “free” childcare to all two-year-olds – will take place. NDNA Cymru is clear that any expansion of its funded childcare programme must be properly costed and keep track of rising delivery costs.… Continue reading Funded places for all two-year-olds in Wales

1 in 10 parents believe nurseries are properly funded

A survey by a cross-party group of Parliamentarians finds serious doubts about the Government’s financial support for early years providers. Just one in ten parents believe that current levels of early years funding are enough to enable nurseries, pre-schools and childminders in England to remain financially sustainable, a new survey conducted by the All-Party Parliamentary… Continue reading 1 in 10 parents believe nurseries are properly funded

Early years not recognised as key sector under self-isolation exemption

Updated Test and Trace guidance for the Workplace has been published identifying 16 key sectors that will be exempt from self-isolating should they come into contact with a positive case of Covid-19. The early education and childcare sector were not recognised, despite its vital role or the extreme pressures providers are under, and was not… Continue reading Early years not recognised as key sector under self-isolation exemption

NDNA agrees that it’s time to make staff wellbeing a policy

The Anna Freud Centre has today published its findings from a survey about staff wellbeing alongside NDNA’s sample well-being policy. Early years staff working in nurseries or preschools would like their settings to be more open about staff mental health, and to ensure staff wellbeing policies are in place and upheld. While many find their… Continue reading NDNA agrees that it’s time to make staff wellbeing a policy

NDNA research used in Parliament

A debate was held by MPs in Parliament yesterday on early education funding. The debate was called by Wera Hobhouse, Liberal Democrat MP for Bath, who recognised the crucial role of early education during the pandemic and to child development. She said: “The Government say that they understand parents’ concerns about the cost of childcare.… Continue reading NDNA research used in Parliament

No more bubbles from 19 July – new EY guidance

Following statements in Parliament, yesterday by the Health Minister and Education Minister, early years settings will no longer be responsible for contact tracing or keeping children in small groups or bubbles from 19 July. Secretary of State for Education Gavin Williamson revealed some new key messages in Parliament yesterday that further restrictions would be lifted… Continue reading No more bubbles from 19 July – new EY guidance

Plans to reduce self-isolation in critical roles

The Government has announced plans for critical workers not to need to self-isolate. We have seen reports about employers needing to seek permission from their relevant government departments who will make a decision on a case by case basis for each individual. NDNA has raised this as a matter of urgency with the DfE to… Continue reading Plans to reduce self-isolation in critical roles