New analysis reveals that children who have participated in an early years maths programme gain from sustained progress in both maths and language development by the end of reception class. This progress is likely to be more marked for those from disadvantaged backgrounds. The Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) has released its findings today which suggest… Continue reading New research shows early maths intervention gives children sustained progress
Author: Anne-Marie Argile
Stephen Morgan MP officially Early Education minister
The Department for Education (DfE) has officially confirmed Stephen Morgan MP as the Minister for Early Education this week (23 July). In its pre-election manifesto, NDNA called on the new Government to change the language around early years and childcare to include the word education to reflect the importance of this stage of a child’s… Continue reading Stephen Morgan MP officially Early Education minister
NAO finds that disadvantaged gap has widened
The National Audit Office (NAO) has published a best value report on educational outcomes for disadvantaged children and found that despite around £9.2bn investment the attainment gap has widened. It recommends in its Improving educational outcomes for disadvantaged children report that the Department for Education (DfE) invest more in early years. Among its findings were:… Continue reading NAO finds that disadvantaged gap has widened
Early years minister replaced in Wales following cabinet resignations
Following the resignation of several cabinet secretaries, First Minister Vaughan Gething who will remain in post until a successor can be found, has announced a mini reshuffle. The resignations pushed the First Minister to announced that he would be standing down from the role just four months after being voted in. A leadership contest will… Continue reading Early years minister replaced in Wales following cabinet resignations
UK General Election 2024 Results
Labour has won the UK general election 2024 with a substantial majority to form the next government. With 412 seats and a 174 majority Sir Keir Starmer will become the next Prime Minister. In his victory speech he said “change begins now.” In response to the UK general election 2024 results Purnima Tanuku OBE, Chief Executive… Continue reading UK General Election 2024 Results
Welsh parties focus on supporting children and families
With less than two weeks to go to the upcoming general election, NDNA Cymru takes a look at the Welsh manifestos to see what focus is being given to early education and care. NDNA has looked at policies from (in alphabetical order) Plaid Cymru, Welsh Conservatives, Welsh Labour and Welsh Liberal Democrats. Here’s a round-up… Continue reading Welsh parties focus on supporting children and families
NDNA launches early education and care manifesto
National Day Nursery Association (NDNA) launched its early education and care sector manifesto Make the First Five Years Count today putting children at the centre of its priorities. In this manifesto, NDNA sets out its child-centric approach so the next Government understands how essential this sector is for children’s development and for the economy in… Continue reading NDNA launches early education and care manifesto
Labour responds to NDNA’s concerns about nurseries in schools plan
Labour’s Shadow Education Minister Bridget Phillipson has responded to NDNA’s concerns about Labour’s plans for early education and care in schools. In an interview on The Battle for Number 10: A Sky News Leaders’ Special, Labour Leader Keir Starmer said: “We want to create 100,000 new places for childcare, this is 3,000 nurseries around schools… Continue reading Labour responds to NDNA’s concerns about nurseries in schools plan
The week of the Manifestos
This week we’ve seen the Liberal Democrats, Conservatives and Labour party unveil their 2024 election manifestos including their key pledges to the early years and childcare. Here’s a summary. Liberal Democrats key manifesto points published 10 June Protect and support the rights and wellbeing of every child by: Give parents genuine flexibility and choice in… Continue reading The week of the Manifestos
NDNA’s 25th Anniversary Conference Celebrates Winners of Prestigious Awards
National Day Nursery Association (NDNA) celebrated 25years since becoming a charity at its annual conference and awards evening. The NDNA conference 2024: ‘Growing together, championing change for children’s futures’ brought members and sector experts together to inspire and generate new ideas for the future of the early years sector and celebrate the achievements of leaders… Continue reading NDNA’s 25th Anniversary Conference Celebrates Winners of Prestigious Awards
Council underspends in early years at highest level at £70m
An investigation into ’free’ childcare funding for two to four-year-olds across England has uncovered record levels of underspends, according to National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA). NDNA discovered that at least £70m of early years entitlement funding was underspent in council budgets and not spent on places during the financial year 2022-23. Only a very small… Continue reading Council underspends in early years at highest level at £70m
Dr Sara Bonetti introduces the new Institute of Early Years Education
Speaking at the annual National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) conference, Dr Sara Bonetti announced exciting further details about the new Institute of Early Years Education, which will support the early years workforce across the UK. Sara gave a presentation about the Institute at the conference today in Coventry, attended by hundreds of nursery owners, managers… Continue reading Dr Sara Bonetti introduces the new Institute of Early Years Education
The Royal Foundation publishes its early childhood Taskforce report
A recent report by The Royal Foundation Business Taskforce for Early Childhood has identified a £45.5 billion opportunityfor business to drive, and benefit from,prioritising early childhood in the workplace, community and wider society. Set up in March 2023 by the Princess of Wales, the Taskforce involves major firms Aviva, The Co-operative Group, Deloitte, Iceland Foods,… Continue reading The Royal Foundation publishes its early childhood Taskforce report
Nurseries in 12 Scottish council areas don’t know their funding rate
Nurseries across Scotland were promised an uplift in Early Learning and Childcare funding from the beginning of April and yet those in 38% of council areas still don’t know what they will receive. According to analysis by National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) Scotland which looked into data they had requested via the Freedom of Information… Continue reading Nurseries in 12 Scottish council areas don’t know their funding rate
Too many councils passing on insufficient funding rates to childcare providers
Early education and care providers are not seeing the full benefit of Government funding rate increases for two-year-old places in 88% of council areas, according to an investigation by National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA). In an analysis of 119 local authority base rates for the two, three and four-year-old funded places, NDNA found that in… Continue reading Too many councils passing on insufficient funding rates to childcare providers
Celebrity Speakers announced for 25th Anniversary Nursery Conference
Celebrity guest speakers Ashley John-Baptiste and Elliot Rae will be attending National Day Nurseries Association’s (NDNA)’s conference in June as NDNA celebrates 25 years since becoming a charity. The NDNA conference 2024: ‘Growing together, championing change for children’s futures’ is sponsored by Hope, Citation and Nursery World. It will bring together experts and educators with… Continue reading Celebrity Speakers announced for 25th Anniversary Nursery Conference
Early years entitlement rollout to face future challenges
According to a new National Audit Office (NAO) report the early years entitlement faces future challenges as the rollout continues under an ambitious timetable. The Government’s expansion of the early years entitlement, aimed at increasing the labour market by helping mothers return to work is on track for the first phase of the rollout in… Continue reading Early years entitlement rollout to face future challenges
DfE pulse survey of childcare and early years providers published
The Department for Education (DfE) have today published their latest findings from a Pulse survey of childcare and early years providers which was carried out in November 2023. This latest piece of research, the seventh in a series of surveys conducted since the summer of 2020 asked a sample of GBPs (group based providers),… Continue reading DfE pulse survey of childcare and early years providers published
Childcare expansion: DfE claim 79% of codes validated
The Government has published new statistics on the two-year-old childcare expansion which was launched earlier this month. These include: The DfE added that its recruitment campaign which was launched in February had resulted in interest from 73,000 people. It is also piloting a new scheme to increase capacity by matching up PVI providers with space… Continue reading Childcare expansion: DfE claim 79% of codes validated
Ofsted Complaints Handling – you can now pause or defer an inspection
Ofsted has updated its policies on complaints handling including pausing an inspection in exceptional circumstances. The regulator hopes that its new policy will make its handling complaints process fairer, thorough and efficient. The changes have been brought in following last year’s consultation and now include allowing providers to challenge factual inaccuracies and seek a review… Continue reading Ofsted Complaints Handling – you can now pause or defer an inspection