Following lobbying by National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) Scotland, MSPs have agreed a motion in Parliament for the Scottish Government to work with local authorities to ensure families can access childcare placements across council boundaries. A debate on expanded childcare took place in Holyrood yesterday (27 May) and an amendment on supporting children from across council boundaries at a national level tabled by Scottish Greens was accepted. On the back of that motion, NDNA… Continue reading Families need action on childcare places in first 100 days
Tag: childcare
Charity celebrates National Numeracy Day in Maths Champions nurseries
Representatives from National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) celebrated the impact of its Maths Champions programme as part of National Numeracy Day on Wednesday 20 May. NDNA’s CEO Tim McLachlan and Director of Quality and Training Stella Ziolkowski visited Toy Box Day Nursery. Paula Dunn, Quality and Fidelity Manager visited Danesmoor House Day Nursery in Darlington.… Continue reading Charity celebrates National Numeracy Day in Maths Champions nurseries
New education/childcare minister in Scotland
John Swinney MSP returns as Scotland’s First Minister following the elections earlier in May – and has now appointed his Cabinet team. He named Màiri McAllan, MSP for Clydesdale, as the new Cabinet Secretary for Education, Culture and Gaelic. She has previously served as a minister for housing, wellbeing, net zero and the environment. Siobhain… Continue reading New education/childcare minister in Scotland
Manifesto launched to tackle unique challenges for day nurseries in Wales
The National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA Cymru) is calling on the next Welsh government to focus on high-quality early childhood play, learning and care to support every family in every community. Early indications from NDNA’s nursery survey suggest that 89% of day nurseries in Wales make a loss on sessional places and 79% say the full day rate doesn’t cover their costs. As a result of rising staffing costs – with the average increase in staff bills around 10.5% – nurseries… Continue reading Manifesto launched to tackle unique challenges for day nurseries in Wales
DfE clarifies safe sleeping requirements
The Department for Education with the Lullaby Trust has written an article clarifying the planned updates to the EYFS on keeping children safe while sleeping. https://help-for-early-years-providers.education.gov.uk/health-and-wellbeing/safer-sleep Minister Olivia Bailey wrote to the sector in March with new requirements to be brought in from September but NDNA have been asking for clarity on a number of points… Continue reading DfE clarifies safe sleeping requirements
Meeting with stakeholders in West Lothian
The Scottish Greens attended NDNA’s member nursery, First Adventures, as part of their election campaign. NDNA Scotland took part in a meeting with the co-leaders to raise awareness of the challenging situation in West Lothian where the council has decided to no longer fund ELC places for children who live across the boundary, and lobby them for change. Hannah Murison, NDNA Scotland’s… Continue reading Meeting with stakeholders in West Lothian
Councils hold back record £115m in early years funding
New Freedom of Information (FOI) findings from National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) reveal that councils across England underspent £115m in early years funding during 2024-25. These figures are the largest underspend recorded in seven years of NDNA annual reports. We issued FOI requests to all England local authorities, receiving 129 full responses and 3 partial… Continue reading Councils hold back record £115m in early years funding
Coram childcare survey: costs fall sharply for families in England as funding expands
Coram’s annual childcare survey shows the expanded funded hours in England are changing what parents pay. But challenges remain on affordability, sufficiency and support for children with SEND needs across the UK. Childcare costs for many working families in England have dropped following the full roll out of the 30-hour funded entitlement for children from… Continue reading Coram childcare survey: costs fall sharply for families in England as funding expands
National nursery organisation slams council vote to remove parental choice from funded childcare offer
Despite a hard-fought campaign by early years and parenting organisations, West Lothian Council voted not to fund early learning and childcare (ELC) places for families who live outside West Lothian in private, voluntary, and independent (PVI) nurseries. National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) Scotland along with parent campaigners Pregnant then Screwed have raised this issue with… Continue reading National nursery organisation slams council vote to remove parental choice from funded childcare offer
Council cuts would force parents to move settled nursery children or pay thousands
Campaigning organisations are urging West Lothian Council to drop its proposal to save money by no longer funding early learning and childcare (ELC) places for families who live outside the borders of West Lothian in private, voluntary, and independent (PVI) nurseries. National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) Scotland along with parent campaigners Pregnant then Screwed say… Continue reading Council cuts would force parents to move settled nursery children or pay thousands
Government research shows school-based nurseries are not delivering flexible provision to its communities
The latest research into school-based nurseries (SBNs) has highlighted significant challenges in delivering flexible childcare that many families rely on. This raises important questions about whether the Government’s £400 million investment is being directed where it can have the greatest impact on our youngest children. It has also reinforced the crucial role that PVI nurseries… Continue reading Government research shows school-based nurseries are not delivering flexible provision to its communities
One in seven childcare professionals paid around minimum wages
The Low Pay Commission – the body which recommends minimum statutory wage rates to the Government – has published its report for 2025: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/low-pay-commission-report-2025 Their report contains all the research, engagement and data which formed the basis of the recommendations to the Chancellor last November to increase the rates to the new levels which come… Continue reading One in seven childcare professionals paid around minimum wages
Local authorities to propose school-based nurseries for phase three
The DfE has today (Wednesday 4 February) published guidance for submitting proposals for its third phase of school-based nurseries funding. This pot of money – almost £325 million – will be made available for: Tim McLachlan, Chief Executive of NDNA said: “The Government has left the ground-work and local decision-making for the next round of… Continue reading Local authorities to propose school-based nurseries for phase three
Purnima Tanuku CBE to leave NDNA following over 20 years’ leading the organisation
National Day Nurseries Association’s (NDNA) Executive Chair, Purnima Tanuku CBE, is due to step down from her role at the end of March. Following more than 20 years at the organisation she is leaving NDNA, while continuing to work within early years and education as a non-executive director elsewhere. Having joined NDNA in 2004 as… Continue reading Purnima Tanuku CBE to leave NDNA following over 20 years’ leading the organisation
Nursery: Where the Best Start Happens – NDNA’s new campaign championing PVI nurseries
National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) has launched its latest campaign, “Nursery: Where the Best Start Happens”, to champion the vital role that private, voluntary and independent (PVI) nurseries play in giving children aged 0-5 the best possible start in life. PVI nurseries are more than the backbone of early years provision in the UK, delivering… Continue reading Nursery: Where the Best Start Happens – NDNA’s new campaign championing PVI nurseries
Millie’s Mark launches new and improved website
Millie’s Mark, the gold standard for paediatric first aid in early years settings, has a brand-new, upgraded website. This exciting development has tightened data security, introduced automated functions and become more accessible for users. Due to the increasing number of cyber-attacks in the UK, the update further improved the site’s overall security, to give providers who have signed up greater piece of mind. Millie’s Mark was developed in partnership between the National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) and first aid charity Millie’s… Continue reading Millie’s Mark launches new and improved website
Early years recognised across the New Year Honours list
Early years professionals have been celebrated in the New Year Honours list, highlighting the vital role they play in shaping children’s outcomes and futures. This year’s recognition spans practitioners, managers and nursery owners, reflecting the breadth of dedication and expertise within the sector. These honours underline how nurseries are at the heart of communities, supporting… Continue reading Early years recognised across the New Year Honours list
Ofsted new framework: when councils could withdraw funding
With the new Ofsted inspection framework in place from 10 November, NDNA has been asking the Department for Education to clarify whether councils would be allowed to withdraw funding for poor inspection results. And if so, at what level? The Department for Education has now responded to explain that local authorities would have the power… Continue reading Ofsted new framework: when councils could withdraw funding
Latest provider survey shows importance of PVI providers
New figures from the government’s 2025 Childcare and Early Years Providers Survey show how significant private, voluntary and independent (PVI) nurseries are in delivering early education and care places for children and families. The report also reveals continued pressures on staffing and sustainability across the sector. Headline findings Tim McLachlan, Chief Executive of NDNA, said:… Continue reading Latest provider survey shows importance of PVI providers
NDNA safeguarding update: What the Chan case means for providers
The recent case of child sexual abuse within a nursery setting has sent shockwaves across the nation. At NDNA, our thoughts are completely with the children and families affected by these appalling crimes. No parent should ever face such unimaginable trauma, and we stand with the victims while continuing our commitment to championing safe and… Continue reading NDNA safeguarding update: What the Chan case means for providers