This festive season, NDNA’s Maths Champions programme has been delighted to see early years settings across the UK embracing Christmas themes to enrich children’s early mathematical development. After reaching out to participating nurseries, our Early Years Advisers received a collection of wonderful examples showing how practitioners are embedding maths into meaningful, playful learning experiences. From… Continue reading Maths Champions: Festive Early Years Maths Success
Tag: early years
Above inflation funding rates announced for 2026-27
The Government has published its new hourly funding rates for the funded early education and childcare entitlements for 2026-27. All three rates will increase at a higher rate than the National Living Wage rise. The Early Years Pupil Premium (EYPP) gets a significant increase too. However, although this will cover the majority of staff, rises… Continue reading Above inflation funding rates announced for 2026-27
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
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
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
Nurseries need funding boosted to pay statutory wage rises from April
The Chancellor announced increases to the National Living and Minimum Wages on Tuesday 25 November, a day ahead of Budget Day. NDNA called for the government to boost funding rates to match wage increases and maintain pay differences. Here are the new National Minimum Wage/National Living Wage rates from April 2026: Purnima Tanuku CBE, Executive… Continue reading Nurseries need funding boosted to pay statutory wage rises from April
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
Nine in ten UK nurseries are struggling with NMW increases ahead of the Budget
Early years settings across the UK are facing unprecedented financial pressures. Almost 90% reported that National Minimum Wage (NMW) increases are placing them under significant strain, according to a new sector-wide survey by NDNA. Our pre-budget survey covered 545 settings across England, Scotland and Wales, highlighting the battling cost pressures on nurseries already operating on… Continue reading Nine in ten UK nurseries are struggling with NMW increases ahead of the Budget
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
Government Pulse survey shows most nursery costs higher than income
The latest Government Pulse survey of providers from 2024-25 showed that nurseries are still under a lot of financial stress and struggling to expand in order to meet demand for funded places. The report which was published on 31 October painted a concerning picture for PVI nurseries and in many cases, for nurseries in schools. Workforce… Continue reading Government Pulse survey shows most nursery costs higher than income
Real Living Wage to rise by almost 7% from April
The Real Living Wage (RLW) is set to rise from April 2026 by almost 7%, increasing to £13.45 per hour (an 85p rise) across the UK and £14.80 (a 95p rise) in London. The RLW is voluntary with many large and small companies, including a number of nurseries across the UK, choosing to sign up… Continue reading Real Living Wage to rise by almost 7% from April
Big increase in percentage of children attending private nurseries in Scotland
New research published yesterday (7 October) showed that more families in Scotland were choosing to send their children to private and voluntary nurseries. The Scottish Household Survey 2024 Childcare report revealed that 32% of households with children aged up to five used private nurseries compared with just 24% in private nurseries in 2018. Numbers of… Continue reading Big increase in percentage of children attending private nurseries in Scotland
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
Congratulations to Nursery World award winners
Many NDNA members were honoured at the annual Nursery World awards at the Brewery in London on Saturday 27 September. NDNA’s first chair of trustees Margaret Mason, founder of Children 1st nurseries, was given a Lifetime Achievement Award. Nursery of the Year was Childsplay Claremont Nursery Cooperative in Newcastle upon Tyne – they won NDNA’s Community… Continue reading Congratulations to Nursery World award winners
NDNA Response to the Kido Nurseries cyber attack
The early years sector and beyond has been shocked by last week’s cyber attack on Kido international nurseries which has 18 settings in London alone. Cyber criminals hacked into Kido’s system and started releasing details about their children on the dark web – threatening to release all 8,000 children’s details if they didn’t get paid.… Continue reading NDNA Response to the Kido Nurseries cyber attack
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
NDNA recognised as one of UK’s Best Workplaces in Charity sector
The 2025 UK’s Best Workplaces in Charity & Not-For-Profit™ list was revealed yesterday by Great Place To Work® UK, recognising NDNA among the list in both the Charity and Not for Profit and Education and Training categories. 67% of employees at National Day Nurseries Association say it is a great place to work*, compared to 54% of employees at a… Continue reading NDNA recognised as one of UK’s Best Workplaces in Charity sector