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
Author: Anne-Marie Argile
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
England funding rates 2025-26: won’t factor in National Insurance Contributions
The Department for Education has published the funding rates for April 2025-26 but these won’t include an uplift to account for the increase in National Insurance Contributions announced in the October Budget. The average funding rate for three and four-year-olds – which has the most impact on nurseries as there are more funded three and… Continue reading England funding rates 2025-26: won’t factor in National Insurance Contributions
Scottish Budget – funding to continue childcare support for priority families
Scotland’s Finance Secretary Shona Robison reported on the Budget in Holyrood this week. For early years, the main features of the Budget were: Purnima Tanuku OBE, Chief Executive of National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) Scotland said: “While it’s vital that all children especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds have access to high quality early learning and… Continue reading Scottish Budget – funding to continue childcare support for priority families
EYFS profile results: Children making steady progress
The Department for Education (DfE) has published new data showing that children were improving at the end of reception year, although maths and literacy are still the areas where they need the most help. The EYFS profile results for 2023-24 In individual areas of learning, the most children reached their expected level in physical development… Continue reading EYFS profile results: Children making steady progress
MPs debate the impact of NICs changes on employers
NDNA briefed MPs ahead of the Second Reading of the National Insurance Contributions (Secondary Class 1 Contributions) Bill 2024-25 which was debated this week. The brief detailed the impact of NICs changes on the Early Education and Childcare Sector, highlighting issues such as an average nursery will face additional staffing costs of around £40,000 per… Continue reading MPs debate the impact of NICs changes on employers
DfE research reveals funding to early years providers is insufficient
The Department for Education (DfE) has published its recent Pulse surveys of childcare and early years providers revealing that almost half of group-based providers do not have sufficient funding to cover their costs. The DfE has been conducting provider pulse surveys since 2020 to gather findings relating to the childcare and early years sector. The… Continue reading DfE research reveals funding to early years providers is insufficient
Maths early intervention programme is awards finalist in two categories
A programme which supports early years practitioners with their confidence and ability to teach maths to children in nursery settings was shortlisted for two awards. Maths Champions is a professional development programme delivered by National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) aimed at increasing early years practitioner skills, knowledge, awareness and confidence in supporting early mathematics. The… Continue reading Maths early intervention programme is awards finalist in two categories
Latest Ofsted data shows a fall in the number of childcare providers
Ofsted has released a report detailing the number of childcare providers and their most recent inspection outcomes as at 31 August 2024. The number of childcare providers registered with Ofsted was down by 2% due to a drop in the number of childminders. The number of registered childminders fell by 1,060 and the total number… Continue reading Latest Ofsted data shows a fall in the number of childcare providers
Welsh Government commits to reviewing funding rate annually
Following years of lobbying from NDNA and other early years organisations, the Welsh Government announced yesterday (Wednesday 20 November) that they will review the Childcare Offer for Wales on an annual basis. The Childcare Offer providers up to 30 hours of government-funded early education and childcare per week during 48 weeks of the year for… Continue reading Welsh Government commits to reviewing funding rate annually
NDNA Scotland says Quality Improvement Framework not fit for purpose
Scotland’s new Quality Improvement Framework is being shown to the sector by Care Inspectorate and Education Scotland. During November, nursery owners first had the chance to look at the framework during “familiarisation sessions”. This will replace the existing frameworks from the two inspectorates. The actual new framework won’t be published until early 2025. Jonathan Broadbery,… Continue reading NDNA Scotland says Quality Improvement Framework not fit for purpose
Nursery sector reaction to Minister’s small business rates relief announcement
Making small business rates relief a permanent fixture for registered childcare premises across Wales will make a big difference to their sustainability, says National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) Cymru. Minister for Children and Social Care Dawn Bowden made the announcement that they will be making the 100% small business rates relief for registered childcare premises permanent on… Continue reading Nursery sector reaction to Minister’s small business rates relief announcement
Budget 2024: higher employment costs but no additional support for nurseries
Today the Chancellor delivered the first budget by a Labour government in 14 years announcing that it will raise taxes by £40bn. Rachel Reeves, the UK’s first female chancellor said: “We must restore economic credibility and protect working people”. Living up to Labour’s manifesto promises there were no increases to income tax, National Insurance (NI)… Continue reading Budget 2024: higher employment costs but no additional support for nurseries