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
Tag: early education
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
Scottish MSPs raise concerns over 1140 hours and PVI sustainability
Last week’s Education and Skills Portfolio Questions in the Scottish Parliament brought forward the ongoing challenges faced by PVI nurseries, particularly around the sustainability of delivering the expanded 1,140 hours of funded ELC. The government reiterated its commitment to the expansion and noted that research published in 2024 showed high uptake and signs of improvements… Continue reading Scottish MSPs raise concerns over 1140 hours and PVI sustainability
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
Ofsted annual report: Childcare deserts and more babies in nurseries
The latest Ofsted annual report has been released, with Sir Martyn Oliver setting out that supporting children in their earliest years is the best way to tackle inequalities and disadvantage. Despite mounting pressures, early years settings continue to shine. 98% were judged ‘outstanding’ or ‘good’ at their last inspection, a testament to the sector’s resilience… Continue reading Ofsted annual report: Childcare deserts and more babies in nurseries
EYFS results: Children overall making better progress
More children are at the expected level of development and also more are making good progress, according to the latest statistics from the Department for Education (DfE). The EYFS profile results showed that the gap is reducing slightly between: But the gap is widening between those who are eligible for free school meals and those who aren’t eligible. The results… Continue reading EYFS results: Children overall making better progress
Budget 2025: measures to reduce child poverty but little for nursery businesses
The Chancellor announced her Budget measures today (Wednesday 26 November) which included an end to the two child benefit cap, free training for apprentices but only business rates relief for retail and leisure sectors. Yesterday (Tuesday 25 November) she revealed the new statutory minimum wage rates from April 2026 which will be increasing by between… Continue reading Budget 2025: measures to reduce child poverty but little for nursery businesses
Numbers of PVI nurseries increase for the second year running
According to the latest Ofsted statistics, there are 260 more private, voluntary and independent nurseries and pre-schools (childcare on non domestic premises) compared with last year. Ofsted’s statistical release Childcare providers and inspections as at 31 August 2025 also shows that 98% of nurseries were judged as “good” or “outstanding” at their last inspection. Although numbers… Continue reading Numbers of PVI nurseries increase for the second year running
Former Chair of Trustees, Sarah Steel, receives OBE on her birthday
Wednesday 12 November marked a double celebration for Sarah Steel as she attended her investiture ceremony to receive her OBE, an honour made even more special as it coincided with her birthday! Sarah was recognised in the King’s Birthday Honours 2025 for her outstanding contribution to the sector, acknowledging over two decades of leadership and… Continue reading Former Chair of Trustees, Sarah Steel, receives OBE on her birthday
Nursery employment programme ready to launch for veterans and partners
National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) is delivering paid training and work experience placements for armed forces veterans and veterans’ partners thanks to a grant from The Veterans’ Foundation. NDNA‘s Childcare Works supported employment project will offer a training pathway to a fulfilling career in early education and care to interested veterans and partners of veterans. … Continue reading Nursery employment programme ready to launch for veterans and partners
Council u-turn hits Hampshire nurseries
NDNA is calling for urgent action after Hampshire County Council failed to deliver its commitment to early years funding on summer term figures, leaving settings thousands of pounds out of pocket, with some facing shortfalls of up to 50%. Hampshire providers were repeatedly assured that the government’s expansion grant would be calculated based on the… Continue reading Council u-turn hits Hampshire nurseries
Early intervention programme Maths Champions expands to 1,810 new settings
Maths Champions, a professional development programme delivered by National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA), is scaling up to transform early years maths across England. The aim of this innovative early intervention programme is to improve children’s maths outcomes by improving the knowledge, skills and confidence of the practitioners working with them. Following a successful rollout to… Continue reading Early intervention programme Maths Champions expands to 1,810 new settings
Olivia Bailey and Josh MacAlister appointed as new education ministers
Olivia Bailey, Minister for Early Education
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
1 in 10 parents believe nurseries are properly funded
A survey by a cross-party group of Parliamentarians finds serious doubts about the Government’s financial support for early years providers. Just one in ten parents believe that current levels of early years funding are enough to enable nurseries, pre-schools and childminders in England to remain financially sustainable, a new survey conducted by the All-Party Parliamentary… Continue reading 1 in 10 parents believe nurseries are properly funded
Early years not recognised as key sector under self-isolation exemption
Updated Test and Trace guidance for the Workplace has been published identifying 16 key sectors that will be exempt from self-isolating should they come into contact with a positive case of Covid-19. The early education and childcare sector were not recognised, despite its vital role or the extreme pressures providers are under, and was not… Continue reading Early years not recognised as key sector under self-isolation exemption
NDNA research used in Parliament
A debate was held by MPs in Parliament yesterday on early education funding. The debate was called by Wera Hobhouse, Liberal Democrat MP for Bath, who recognised the crucial role of early education during the pandemic and to child development. She said: “The Government say that they understand parents’ concerns about the cost of childcare.… Continue reading NDNA research used in Parliament
High employment rates will put stress on early years recruitment
The Office for National Statistics released its latest figures for the UK labour market this week. Employment is estimated at 75.4% – 1.1 percentage points lower than pre-pandemic levels, but 0.4 percentage points higher than last quarter. Unemployment figures came in at 4.3, a decrease of 0.5 percentage points and is only marginally higher then… Continue reading High employment rates will put stress on early years recruitment
NDNA launches nursery sustainability study
National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) has released three surveys – one each for nursery providers in England, Scotland and Wales – ahead of the Comprehensive Spending Review in England and budget planning in Wales and Scotland. With the Coronavirus pandemic still affecting nursery costs and the numbers of children in settings, the surveys aim to… Continue reading NDNA launches nursery sustainability study
APPG Launches Childcare & Early Education Week
The All-Party Parliamentary Group for Childcare and Early Education has launched the inaugural Childcare & Early Education Week, which will take place between Monday 25 and Friday 29 January 2021. This year’s theme – ‘Celebrating Our Sector’ – aims to thank childcare and early education practitioners for their work during the COVID-19 pandemic, where they… Continue reading APPG Launches Childcare & Early Education Week