The Department for Education’s announcement that early years workers in private and voluntary run settings must attend community testing centres while maintained nurseries and nursery classes in schools get ‘at-home’ test kits delivered demonstrates how the sector has been treated. The announcement means that staff in private, voluntary and independently (PVI) run nurseries and preschools… Continue reading Give equal access to testing for all early years workers
Tag: early years
Research project to see how positive cases are impacting on early years staff
Leading UK early years organisation National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) and the Education Policy Institute (EPI) are launching the third survey in their year-long research project looking at the effect of the Covid-19 pandemic on the early years workforce. With the Covid-19 cases at their peak in January 2021, this survey will look at how… Continue reading Research project to see how positive cases are impacting on early years staff
Hard work of nurseries recognised in Daynurseries.co.uk annual awards
Daynurseries.co.uk has announced the winners of its annual Nursery Awards 2021. The awards recognise 20 of the top rated Nurseries in each region of the UK and the Top 20 Day Nursery Groups in the UK based on reviews from parents/individuals responsible for a child. There are 12 regional/country specific categories for each area of… Continue reading Hard work of nurseries recognised in Daynurseries.co.uk annual awards
Financial Sustainability Health Check reveals evidence on sector’s sustainability
The Scottish Government has published the findings of its Financial Sustainability Health Check of the Childcare Sector in Scotland. The purpose of the research was to collect evidence on the sustainability of the childcare sector, in particular in light of the impacts of COVID-19. Some of the findings included that providers have faced increased costs… Continue reading Financial Sustainability Health Check reveals evidence on sector’s sustainability
Ministers confirm year on year funding increases at Spending Review
The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi Sunak, has delivered the Autumn Budget and Spending Review today (27 October). Children’s Minister Will Quince has since confirmed that funding will increase by an additional £160m in 2022-23, £180m in 2023-24 and £170m in 2024-25 for childcare providers. The key announcements from the Chancellor’s speech for early years… Continue reading Ministers confirm year on year funding increases at Spending Review
Yet more councils report early years underspends – final figures show £62m
National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) has updated its report into underspend funding for three and four-year old childcare places by local education authorities (LEAs) in England as all but five councils have now replied. The total of unspent money has increased from £55.5 million to £62 million for 2019/20, with a higher proportion of LEAs… Continue reading Yet more councils report early years underspends – final figures show £62m
Closures of nurseries increase as impact of pandemic takes hold
National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) has published its report Nurseries and the impact of closures in the first year of the pandemic which revealed that the number of nursery closures in England has increased by 35% during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic compared to the same period the previous year. Throughout the pandemic, nurseries… Continue reading Closures of nurseries increase as impact of pandemic takes hold
Increasing childcare funding rate would give economic gains – new report
A report by the Centre for Progressive Policy “Women in the Labour Market” shows that lack of affordable and accessible childcare is a barrier to maternal employment, resulting in billions in lost earnings. Fixing childcare issues – which includes increasing the funding rate to cover providers’ costs – would give economic gains in both the… Continue reading Increasing childcare funding rate would give economic gains – new report
LGA calls for significant funding rates increase
In its Spending Review submission, the Local Government Association (LGA) calls for a “significant increase in funding rates for early entitlements in all settings to enable the early years sector to reduce the disadvantage gap and allow all children the opportunity of the best possible start.” The submission ahead of the Government’s Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR), due… Continue reading LGA calls for significant funding rates increase
UNCRC Incorporation delayed by Supreme Court judgement
Today the UK Supreme Court ruled that four aspects of the UNCRC (Incorporation) (Scotland) Bill will need to be re-considered by the Scottish Parliament. NDNA Scotland has joined with many voices across Scotland calling for this Bill to be given priority by the Scottish Government so children’s rights will be given the protection of the… Continue reading UNCRC Incorporation delayed by Supreme Court judgement
ELC offer saving families money – Scottish Government report
The Scottish Government has published its Early Learning and Childcare expansion delivery progress ELC) report revealing that the families of more than 79,000 children are saving almost £5,000 per child annually due to the ELC offer. But NDNA Scotland says that the scheme is still underfunded and many providers are not being paid a… Continue reading ELC offer saving families money – Scottish Government report
New Education Secretary recognises importance of early years
The new Secretary of State for Education Nadhim Zahawi made his first speech at the Conservative party conference yesterday. Mr Zahawi talked about the importance of early education and language acquisition for children’s educational outcomes. Purnima Tanuku OBE, Chief Executive of NDNA, said: “It is refreshing to hear the Secretary of State for Education recognising… Continue reading New Education Secretary recognises importance of early years
Reducing ratios newspaper article – NDNA’s response
A front page article in the Telegraph on Saturday suggested that the Government is looking at reducing ratios of children to adults in childcare settings in England. The article – which gave no named sources for this information – said that “education officials” argued that this would drive childcare costs down for parents. Having been on the… Continue reading Reducing ratios newspaper article – NDNA’s response
Shadow Education Minister addresses Labour party conference
The Shadow Education Minister Kate Green MP addressed the Labour party conference today. Her speech detailed how the next Labour government would overcome the challenges of the pandemic to deliver an education system that equips children for the future. The speech referenced the Children’s Recovery Plan, first released in June 2021. The document sets out… Continue reading Shadow Education Minister addresses Labour party conference
Millie’s Mark celebrates 5 years this month
Millie’s Mark, the gold standard for nurseries in paediatric first aid, celebrates its fifth birthday this month after launching in 2016. The Mark is an accredited scheme for outstanding Paediatric First Aid practice, established by Dan and Joanne Thompson of Millie’s Trust following the death of their young daughter Millie. NDNA was awarded the contract… Continue reading Millie’s Mark celebrates 5 years this month
Extra support announced for childcare sector in Wales
Deputy Minister for Social Services, Julie Morgan MS, which includes responsibility for early years and childcare, has released a written statement announcing £5.1million of extra support for the childcare and play services sector. A total of £3.5million will be distributed to local authorities via the Children and Communities Grant to help providers with the… Continue reading Extra support announced for childcare sector in Wales
Easy as ABC – NDNA hosts our biggest virtual event
Early years phenomenon Alistair Bryce-Clegg gave hundreds of nursery owners, managers and practitioners an hour of inspiration and entertainment in a free event to thank the sector. The former nursery teacher mesmerised about 400 nursery practitioners with his real-life hilarious stories but also spoke passionately about how to give children the best learning opportunities while… Continue reading Easy as ABC – NDNA hosts our biggest virtual event
NDNA appoints new Chair of Trustees
National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) has appointed Sarah Steel, the CEO of the Old Station Nursery group as their new Chair of Trustees. Sarah Steel is succeeding Sarah Carr OBE who has been a Board Member and Chair of Trustees since 2001. She was confirmed at a meeting of the Board on Wednesday 15th September… Continue reading NDNA appoints new Chair of Trustees
Minister denies early years sector is in crisis
Children and Families Minister Vicky Ford told a packed parliamentary debate that there were no issues with funding, sufficiency, childcare costs, closures or practitioners living in poverty. The debate was sparked by a petition signed by well over 100,000 people calling for an independent review into early years funding in England. Vicky Ford announced that… Continue reading Minister denies early years sector is in crisis
Government is underfunding us – 95% of nurseries say
A comprehensive survey probing private, voluntary and independent nurseries’ financial sustainability has uncovered a dire picture with 85% of childcare businesses in England making a loss or only breaking even. Ahead of the Comprehensive Spending Review, National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) reveals the shocking landscape in which nurseries and childcare settings are operating, with 95%… Continue reading Government is underfunding us – 95% of nurseries say