The Government has announced the funding rates from April 2024-25 and also set out its response to the funding consultation regarding two-year-old places. Parents can apply for a 15-hour place for their two-year-old from 2 January, which the Government describes as: “the first step in the government’s long-term plan to give working families a brighter… Continue reading Funding rates 2024-25: Average rate increase lower than wages rise
Author: Rebecca Smith
Gold standard first aid accreditation Millie’s Mark comes to Wales
An awards accreditation scheme to support early childhood play learning and care staff to keep children as safe as possible is now available to all early settings across Wales. Millie’s Mark is the gold standard in paediatric first aid for early years and has been available in England and Scotland for a few years. Since… Continue reading Gold standard first aid accreditation Millie’s Mark comes to Wales
Early years maths and language champions programmes receive funding across Greater London
Two professional development programmes designed by NDNA aimed at increasing practitioner skills, knowledge and confidence in delivering early maths, language and communication have secured funding for 18 London boroughs. The main beneficiaries will be disadvantaged children aged two to five-years-old across Greater London. Supported by the Mercers’ Company as trustee of the Charity of Sir… Continue reading Early years maths and language champions programmes receive funding across Greater London
A vision for early education and care
Early years organisation National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) has launched its Blueprint for Early Education and Care to inform decision-makers and politicians to gain the best outcomes for children. The document which will be shaped by NDNA’s members to develop a manifesto for early education and care ahead of the next General Election contains ten… Continue reading A vision for early education and care
Have your say: mandatory reporting of child sexual abuse
A government consultation on mandatory reporting of child sexual abuse is due to close next week. The consultation, which could make it a criminal offence for early years workers to fail to report cases, follows recommendations from the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse. The proposal to create ‘mandated reporters’ would cover those working in… Continue reading Have your say: mandatory reporting of child sexual abuse
Government funding plans for 2024-2025 – have your say
The Department for Education (DfE) has announced a consultation into how the funded entitlements will be calculated for the expanded childcare offer from April 2024. The “expected average rate” is currently £8.17 for two-year-olds and £11.06 per hour for under twos. The same rate will be used for disadvantaged two-year-olds who are currently eligible for… Continue reading Government funding plans for 2024-2025 – have your say
Nine in ten councils fear they won’t have nursery capacity for expansion
New research by the Local Government Association reveals that nursery closures this year will have a dramatic impact on the Government’s planned extension of the 30 hours free childcare scheme. Nine in ten councils fear that they will not have capacity to deliver the scheme universally next year as planned due to insufficient funding. In… Continue reading Nine in ten councils fear they won’t have nursery capacity for expansion
Early years leaders honoured in King’s Birthday List
To mark the extraordinary contributions and services to Early Years Education three NDNA members have been recognised in the first King’s Birthday Honours List. Recognition has been given to the individuals for making an outstanding contribution to early years education, charities and their local communities. Purnima Tanuku OBE, Chief Executive of NDNA said: “A huge… Continue reading Early years leaders honoured in King’s Birthday List
NDNA Awards 2023 returns to celebrate sector achievements
The NDNA’s annual conference and awards evening brought members and sector experts together to celebrate their achievements in a glitzy ceremony held at Coventry Building Society Arena. Celebrity guest Jenny Powell returned for a second year to host the awards, telling the room: “It is a delight to see the room full of early years… Continue reading NDNA Awards 2023 returns to celebrate sector achievements
Government to consult on further changes to the EYFS
The Department for Education has launched an eight week consultation on possible changes to the Early Years Foundation Stage as part of reforms they hope will help providers. They are proposing changes to the EYFS framework to tailor the content to different types of provider as well as make practical changes aiming to: Offer providers… Continue reading Government to consult on further changes to the EYFS
Childcare payments for Universal Credit overhauled after NDNA campaign
As part of the Government’s biggest ever expansion to childcare provision, low-income families will be able to access increased childcare support from 28 June. The Department for Work and Pensions will raise the amount that parents across the UK can claim back monthly for their childcare costs on Universal Credit up to £951 for one… Continue reading Childcare payments for Universal Credit overhauled after NDNA campaign