Packed lunch policy supports nurseries to keep children safe in the face of Government guidance uncertainty The National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) is calling for the Government to be honest with parents about “free” childcare places and stop risking serious allergic reactions or choking by encouraging parents to supply their own food in nursery. Government-funded… Continue reading Government guidance could put nursery children and staff at risk
Tag: funding
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
What are the changes to Government guidance and what is NDNA doing to support members?
The Department for Education has published new guidance which comes into force from April. However, one aspect (when councils can withdraw funding as a result of lower Ofsted gradings), begins with immediate effect. NDNA gave feedback to the DfE before the publication date – some of this feedback has resulted in planned changes not being made but some feedback has been… Continue reading What are the changes to Government guidance and what is NDNA doing to support members?
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
More than £65 million for childcare expansion not reaching providers
Millions of pounds of Government money intended to support early years providers to create more places to meet demand for the childcare expansion has still not reached providers. Research and analysis carried out by the National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) through Freedom of Information (FOI) requests discovered that large amounts of two funds to support… Continue reading More than £65 million for childcare expansion not reaching providers
More to do to make childcare funding fairer in Scotland
Two investigations by early years charity National Day Nurseries Association have shown that nurseries and childminders still get a raw deal when delivering funded childcare in Scotland. Over 80% of councils in Scotland are paying partner providers, including private and voluntary nurseries, a smaller proportion of their Early Learning and Childcare (ELC) budgets compared with… Continue reading More to do to make childcare funding fairer in Scotland
EPI report: Absence rates are increasing among youngest children
The Education Policy Institute (EPI) has analysed the latest DfE statistics on pupil absence – overall absence in schools is reducing but they are some concerns. One of their recommendations is for the Government to focus on and invest in early years to improve children’s outcomes. EPI’s analysis of the absence figures show: They are… Continue reading EPI report: Absence rates are increasing among youngest children
Parent template letter for Universal Credit
We have been approached by a number of nurseries where parents have had their Universal Credit Childcare payments reduced as a result of the updated charging guidance from DfE. These settings report that parents are being told meals and consumables are optional charges and as a result, will no longer be accepted as part of… Continue reading Parent template letter for Universal Credit
Increases to national minimum wages cannot be unfunded in early years
The Low Pay Commission has announced that it is revising up its estimated increase in the National Living Wage (NLW) for 2026/27 from £12.65 to £12.71 per hour. This estimation is based on “stronger than forecast” wage growth, which impacts on how the National Living Wage is calculated. The Commission has now received its remit… Continue reading Increases to national minimum wages cannot be unfunded in early years