NDNA has given your views on a sector-wide basis in a submission to Ofsted’s consultation on the new report card inspection system. Our submission drew on direct feedback from members, responses in our Ofsted webinar, which included a presentation from senior figures at Ofsted, views of our advisory board and early years experts. The consultation… Continue reading Giving Ofsted consultation sector’s views
Author: Anne-Marie Argile
As nurseries face NIC hikes, research shows more than £65m of early years funding goes unspent
A new investigation into ’free’ childcare funding for two to five-year-olds across England has uncovered continuing levels of underspends, according to National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA). NDNA discovered that 75% of the 132 local authorities who responded to its Freedom of Information (FOI) request had underspends. This meant that a total of more than £65… Continue reading As nurseries face NIC hikes, research shows more than £65m of early years funding goes unspent
NDNA comments on BBC programme How Safe Are Our Nurseries?
NDNA’s Executive Chair Purnima Tanuku CBE said: “The case around the tragic death of Genevieve Meehan at nursery was a truly shocking incident. These cases are extremely rare but for those affected, one case is too many. Her parents, who have been through the worst imaginable experience for any family, are showing great courage in… Continue reading NDNA comments on BBC programme How Safe Are Our Nurseries?
Government approves grants for 300 school-based nurseries
The DfE has announced that it has approved grants for the first 300 new or extended nurseries in schools today. This is part of their plan to boost early education and care places in areas of high demand and low supply. But NDNA has been warning since the plan was first suggested in Labour’s manifesto… Continue reading Government approves grants for 300 school-based nurseries
Take nurseries out of unfunded NIC increases – sign the petition
With National Insurance Contribution (NIC) changes about to hit underfunded nurseries and increase the cost of childcare, NDNA is fully supporting a new petition to exempt childcare settings. This was launched by NDNA’s Nottinghamshire network chair Karen Richards in December but has taken months to go through the Petitions Committee’s clearance process. According to NDNA’s… Continue reading Take nurseries out of unfunded NIC increases – sign the petition
NDNA Scotland celebrates 20th anniversary with Children’s Rights Award
National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) Scotland celebrated 20 years of supporting nurseries across Scotland in a special event with members and the Minister. Around 60 nursery managers, owners and practitioners attended the NDNATalk event in Edinburgh yesterday to announce the winner of the first ever NDNA Children’s Rights Award which celebrates exemplary rights-based practice in… Continue reading NDNA Scotland celebrates 20th anniversary with Children’s Rights Award
NICs debated in Parliament: “different treatment” for maintained nurseries highlighted
The Department for Education has published how it will deliver £25 million of additional funding to help schools with early years provision and publicly maintained settings. The funding for 2025/26 is to support those settings with NICs costs relating to both teachers and support staff costs associated with the increase to NICs. The NICs grant will provide additional funding in respect… Continue reading NICs debated in Parliament: “different treatment” for maintained nurseries highlighted
Coram report: cost of childcare increasing in Wales and Scotland but halved in England
Coram’s annual childcare report 2025 shows just how much the funded entitlement can support parents with the average childcare bill halving for parents in England. https://www.familyandchildcaretrust.org/childcare-survey-2025 However, those who are not eligible have seen their bills rising by £100 a week or more. In Scotland and Wales where expansion of places for two year olds… Continue reading Coram report: cost of childcare increasing in Wales and Scotland but halved in England
IPPR report on collective bargaining highlights childcare
The Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) have published a report on areas where sector specific collective bargaining could help improve pay and conditions for workers. Childcare has been highlighted as a next step after adult social care. The report highlights the fact that the government is facing challenges in delivering its missions in crucial… Continue reading IPPR report on collective bargaining highlights childcare
Private day nurseries eligible for claiming Employment Allowance at increased rate
Following lobbying from NDNA, the Government has issued further specific guidance around eligibility of private and voluntary run nurseries across the UK for the National Insurance Contributions (NIC) Employment Allowance. Although the NIC will increase for employers from April 2025, the Employment Allowance (EA) will also increase from £5,000 per employer to £10,500. This could… Continue reading Private day nurseries eligible for claiming Employment Allowance at increased rate
Call on government to support new definition of ‘school readiness’
A Coalition of education and childcare organisations including NDNA has launched a new standard of skills for children starting school. This new ‘Starting Reception’ definition on school readiness has been created following the latest Kindred Squared annual report which highlighted an information gap between teachers and parents. The latest survey reported that teachers and parents… Continue reading Call on government to support new definition of ‘school readiness’
Council votes against the removal of 150 places from PVI sector
Councillors in Falkirk have voted for an amendment that dismissed all children’s services cuts on the grounds of inadequate Equality Poverty and Impact Assessment which could potentially be challenged on a legal basis. The result of this vote means the plan to remove 150 funded children from PVI nurseries to council nurseries will not happen.… Continue reading Council votes against the removal of 150 places from PVI sector
Falkirk Council to move 150 children from flexible funded places from private nurseries to their council settings
Private and voluntary nurseries in Falkirk are fighting for survival because Falkirk Council plans to remove 150 children from funded nursery places into council-run settings. National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) Scotland is opposing the proposals on the grounds that it removes parental choice, will seriously threaten the sustainability of existing nursery provision for current and… Continue reading Falkirk Council to move 150 children from flexible funded places from private nurseries to their council settings
National Insurance Contributions significant driver in nursery fee increases
Substantial statutory employment cost increases from April will force nurseries to raise fees for parents by an average of 10% as one in seven nursery businesses are at risk. A survey of nurseries in England last month by National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) discovered that nursery staffing costs will rise by an average of 15%.… Continue reading National Insurance Contributions significant driver in nursery fee increases
Ofsted launches public consultation on education inspections
Ofsted’s chief inspector, Sir Martyn Oliver, has today unveiled planned changes by the Ofsted schools inspectorate and launched a public consultation – Improving the way Ofsted inspects education. The public consultation is asking parents, carers, professionals and learners for their thoughts on Ofsted’s proposed changes to education inspections and the introduction of report cards for… Continue reading Ofsted launches public consultation on education inspections
Nursery owners recognised in New Year Honours List
Philip Siddell, Trustee of the National Day Nurseries Association and Co-owner of Humpty Dumpty Day Nurseries Ltd, Burton on Trent has been recognised in the New Years Honours List 2025. Philip Siddell has been awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) for services to the Early Years, to Childcare and to the Charitable Sector. Commenting on Philip Siddell’s… Continue reading Nursery owners recognised in New Year Honours List
New Year Honour – Chief Executive of early years charity delighted to receive CBE
The Chief Executive of National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) Purnima Tanuku has been named in the New Year Honours List 2025 with a Commander of the British Empire (CBE) honour. Purnima who is “absolutely delighted” has been honoured for services to Early Years Education following 20 year’s as Chief Executive at NDNA. In that time… Continue reading New Year Honour – Chief Executive of early years charity delighted to receive CBE
MPs spoke about nursery issues in National Insurance Contributions debate
Many MPs expressed their concerns about the impact of the National Insurance Contributions rise on nurseries and private childcare providers in a Parliamentary debate (17 December). But Exchequer Secretary James Murray dismissed the issues, referring to increased funding. Ahead of the debate, NDNA had briefed many MPs including Conservative MP Gareth Davies who quoted NDNA… Continue reading MPs spoke about nursery issues in National Insurance Contributions debate
Latest provider statistics show PVI sector crucial to expansion
The Department for Education (DfE) has published its latest Childcare and early years providers survey: 2024, detailing statistics on the characteristics of early years providers in England. The annual survey provides information about early years provider characteristics, the number of childcare places and children attending provision plus details relating to staffing (including qualifications) and fees. … Continue reading Latest provider statistics show PVI sector crucial to expansion
Wales funding rates revealed but 20% increase will not cover all costs
The Welsh Government has published the new funding rates for the Childcare Offer today (11 December) following the Budget. This rate has been £5 an hour per child since 2022 but has only just been reviewed after years of lobbying by NDNA Cymru. The new rate will rise from April 2025 by £1 to £6… Continue reading Wales funding rates revealed but 20% increase will not cover all costs