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
Tag: funding
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
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
NDNA appoints two new Directors
National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) has appointed a Director of Policy and Communications and a new Director of Business Development as part of plans to enhance the support and representation the sector needs at this critical time. As providers in the early years sector face challenges in delivering government funded childcare places and the uncertainties… Continue reading NDNA appoints two new Directors
Funding rates to rise for 22-23 by less than inflation
Today the Government has published its early years entitlement funding rates from the Department for Education to local authorities in England for two, three and four-year-old places. Most councils will receive an increase of 17p per hour for three and four-year-olds which for the areas with the lowest funding rate of £4.44 is an increase… Continue reading Funding rates to rise for 22-23 by less than inflation
Funded places for all two-year-olds in Wales
A deal between the Welsh Labour Government and Plaid Cymru in the Senedd will mean that a programme of work – including expanding “free” childcare to all two-year-olds – will take place. NDNA Cymru is clear that any expansion of its funded childcare programme must be properly costed and keep track of rising delivery costs.… Continue reading Funded places for all two-year-olds in Wales
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
Covid isolation led to closures in up to 4 in 10 early years settings
Covid isolation drove up to four in every ten early years settings to close across England, Wales and Scotland during the spring, a new report from the Education Policy Institute (EPI) and the National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) reveals. The survey, which is the final report from a year-long research project investigating the impact of… Continue reading Covid isolation led to closures in up to 4 in 10 early years settings
Early years coaching programme supports dozens of London practitioners
A coaching programme funded by the Mayor of London’s office successfully helped dozens of early years practitioners to improve the quality of their provision and also to lead them through the challenges of the pandemic. National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) ran the Early Years Leaders Programme across London to develop aspiring early years leaders and… Continue reading Early years coaching programme supports dozens of London practitioners
Early years organisations launch joint campaign
Leading early years organisations the Early Years Alliance, the PACEY and NDNA have today issued a joint call for the government to take urgent steps to protect the safety and financial sustainability of those working in nurseries and other childcare settings in England, in light of the government decision to ask early years settings to… Continue reading Early years organisations launch joint campaign
Fewer children in nursery so Government must reverse funding decision
A snap poll by National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) shows that the average nursery has a third fewer children than normal and figures published by the Department for Education suggest this could be closer to half across all early years settings. The situation is now critical as 58% of nurseries are not confident they will… Continue reading Fewer children in nursery so Government must reverse funding decision
NDNA Scotland publishes early learning and childcare election manifesto
This election represents a chance for the next Scottish Government to get it right for early learning and childcare (ELC) as National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) Scotland has published key issues for children, families and nurseries ahead of the May elections. NDNA Scotland’s manifesto, Getting ELC Right for Scotland’s Children, focuses on improving the funding… Continue reading NDNA Scotland publishes early learning and childcare election manifesto
NDNA Cymru publishes early years and childcare election manifesto
This election represents a chance for the next Welsh Government to get it right for early years and childcare as National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) Cymru has published key issues for children, families and nurseries ahead of the May elections. NDNA Cymru’s manifesto, Getting it Right for Early Years and Childcare, focuses on improving the… Continue reading NDNA Cymru publishes early years and childcare election manifesto