Three quarters of local education authorities (LEAs) in England have reported underspending their Government funding for childcare places, another investigation by National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) reveals. Despite raising this issue a year ago with the Treasury and the Department for Education, with promises from the Government to look into the issue, millions of pounds… Continue reading Millions in early years funding not reaching providers to support families
Author: A. Callaghan
Blossom Educational offer financial incentives to England nurseries
The leading all-in-one Nursery Management Software company, Blossom Educational, is collaborating with the National Day Nurseries Association, NDNA, to provide further support to the nursery sector during what will no doubt be a challenging 2021; with below average occupancy rates and increasing operating costs. Founded by nursery practitioners, managers and education consultants, Blossom remains a… Continue reading Blossom Educational offer financial incentives to England nurseries
Give equal access to testing for all early years workers
The Department for Education’s announcement that early years workers in private and voluntary run settings must attend community testing centres while maintained nurseries and nursery classes in schools get ‘at-home’ test kits delivered demonstrates how the sector has been treated. The announcement means that staff in private, voluntary and independently (PVI) run nurseries and preschools… Continue reading Give equal access to testing for all early years workers
NDNA employees trek through all 3 nations
A group of National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) employees have challenged themselves to “virtually” walk, jog and run between their 3 main offices in England, Wales and Scotland in April. The group of 12 – who live across England and near Edinburgh – “set off” from NDNA’s head office in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire on 1… Continue reading NDNA employees trek through all 3 nations
NDNA urges nurseries to nurture children with nature
The National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA)’s annual Healthy Body Happy Me campaign is taking place next week (22 March – 26 March). The theme of this year’s campaign is Nurture with Nature. Nature nurtures us and is good for both our physical and mental well-being as well as inspiring curiosity in children. This campaign is… Continue reading NDNA urges nurseries to nurture children with nature
Unprecedented coalition urges Govt rethink of recovery plans for children
NDNA is part of a cross-sector group of educationalists, charities, business leaders, unions and young people who have urged the Government to reconsider its pandemic recovery measures for children and young people, asking them to urgently boost investment. In two separate letters to the Prime Minister, coordinated by Fair Education Alliance and the National Children’s… Continue reading Unprecedented coalition urges Govt rethink of recovery plans for children
Research project to see how positive cases are impacting on early years staff
Leading UK early years organisation National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) and the Education Policy Institute (EPI) are launching the third survey in their year-long research project looking at the effect of the Covid-19 pandemic on the early years workforce. With the Covid-19 cases at their peak in January 2021, this survey will look at how… Continue reading Research project to see how positive cases are impacting on early years staff
Hard work of nurseries recognised in Daynurseries.co.uk annual awards
Daynurseries.co.uk has announced the winners of its annual Nursery Awards 2021. The awards recognise 20 of the top rated Nurseries in each region of the UK and the Top 20 Day Nursery Groups in the UK based on reviews from parents/individuals responsible for a child. There are 12 regional/country specific categories for each area of… Continue reading Hard work of nurseries recognised in Daynurseries.co.uk annual awards
Financial Sustainability Health Check reveals evidence on sector’s sustainability
The Scottish Government has published the findings of its Financial Sustainability Health Check of the Childcare Sector in Scotland. The purpose of the research was to collect evidence on the sustainability of the childcare sector, in particular in light of the impacts of COVID-19. Some of the findings included that providers have faced increased costs… Continue reading Financial Sustainability Health Check reveals evidence on sector’s sustainability
Early education leads to better outcomes at school
According to the Study of Early Education and Development (SEED) Impact Study on Early Education Use and Child Outcomes up to age seven years, attending early education of any type was associated with better academic results in school. The study produced by academics at the University of Oxford reported that: • All types of early education led… Continue reading Early education leads to better outcomes at school
NDNA sends joint letter to Chancellor ahead of Budget
NDNA has joined other organisations, parent bodies and unions, including Pacey, UNISON, Pregnant then Screwed and others in writing a joint letter to the Chancellor Rishi Sunak ahead of today’s Budget announcement. The letter, which was featured in an article in The Mirror, calls on the Chancellor to guarantee funding for measures to tackle child poverty… Continue reading NDNA sends joint letter to Chancellor ahead of Budget
Ministers confirm year on year funding increases at Spending Review
The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi Sunak, has delivered the Autumn Budget and Spending Review today (27 October). Children’s Minister Will Quince has since confirmed that funding will increase by an additional £160m in 2022-23, £180m in 2023-24 and £170m in 2024-25 for childcare providers. The key announcements from the Chancellor’s speech for early years… Continue reading Ministers confirm year on year funding increases at Spending Review
Budget: No mention of funding to support early years delivery
The Chancellor Rishi Sunak is expected to make announcements to support children and families in the upcoming Budget and Spending Review on Wednesday. Announcements will include a £500 million investment package to transform support for families. This will address the recommendations of the Leadsom Review into Early Years Healthy Development. The £500m package includes:… Continue reading Budget: No mention of funding to support early years delivery
Yet more councils report early years underspends – final figures show £62m
National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) has updated its report into underspend funding for three and four-year old childcare places by local education authorities (LEAs) in England as all but five councils have now replied. The total of unspent money has increased from £55.5 million to £62 million for 2019/20, with a higher proportion of LEAs… Continue reading Yet more councils report early years underspends – final figures show £62m
Closures of nurseries increase as impact of pandemic takes hold
National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) has published its report Nurseries and the impact of closures in the first year of the pandemic which revealed that the number of nursery closures in England has increased by 35% during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic compared to the same period the previous year. Throughout the pandemic, nurseries… Continue reading Closures of nurseries increase as impact of pandemic takes hold
Increasing childcare funding rate would give economic gains – new report
A report by the Centre for Progressive Policy “Women in the Labour Market” shows that lack of affordable and accessible childcare is a barrier to maternal employment, resulting in billions in lost earnings. Fixing childcare issues – which includes increasing the funding rate to cover providers’ costs – would give economic gains in both the… Continue reading Increasing childcare funding rate would give economic gains – new report
Early years recruitment costs must be reflected in funding rates
Higher employment figures and higher wages will exacerbate the early years sector’s already challenging recruitment and retention issues, says NDNA. A report by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) released today (12 October) gives a picture of numbers of employees returning to pre-pandemic levels with unemployment down and vacancies soaring. • Number of payroll employees… Continue reading Early years recruitment costs must be reflected in funding rates
Early years recruitment costs must be reflected in funding rates
Higher employment figures and higher wages will exacerbate the early years sector’s already challenging recruitment and retention issues, says NDNA. A report by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) released this week (12 October) gives a picture of numbers of employees returning to pre-pandemic levels with unemployment down and vacancies soaring: Number of payroll employees returned… Continue reading Early years recruitment costs must be reflected in funding rates
LGA calls for significant funding rates increase
In its Spending Review submission, the Local Government Association (LGA) calls for a “significant increase in funding rates for early entitlements in all settings to enable the early years sector to reduce the disadvantage gap and allow all children the opportunity of the best possible start.” The submission ahead of the Government’s Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR), due… Continue reading LGA calls for significant funding rates increase
UNCRC Incorporation delayed by Supreme Court judgement
Today the UK Supreme Court ruled that four aspects of the UNCRC (Incorporation) (Scotland) Bill will need to be re-considered by the Scottish Parliament. NDNA Scotland has joined with many voices across Scotland calling for this Bill to be given priority by the Scottish Government so children’s rights will be given the protection of the… Continue reading UNCRC Incorporation delayed by Supreme Court judgement