Several high profile sector figures spoke at NDNA’s conference in Liverpool on Friday 5 June, with some using it as a platform to make important new announcements. Among the presenters were Olivia Bailey, Minister for Early Education and Equality and Sir Martyn Oliver, HMCI at Ofsted. Education veteran Ger Graus opened delegates’ eyes to how… Continue reading The key announcements from NDNA Conference 2026
Tag: NDNA
NDNA welcomes DfE action to boost graduate early years teachers in disadvantaged communities
NDNA has welcomed the Department for Education’s latest measures to strengthen the early years workforce, including a new £4,500 annual bonus for qualified nursery teachers in disadvantaged communities, the expansion of nursery excellence hubs and new school-nursery partnership grants. The package is designed to help nurseries recruit and retain qualified staff in areas where children… Continue reading NDNA welcomes DfE action to boost graduate early years teachers in disadvantaged communities
NDNA celebrates excellence at 2026 Conference and Awards
The National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) brought together nursery leaders, owners and early years professionals at its 2026 Conference and Awards. They celebrated innovation, leadership and outstanding practice across the sector. Held at the Titanic Hotel Liverpool, the conference returned with the theme Transforming tomorrow: the power of early years today, giving delegates practical insight,… Continue reading NDNA celebrates excellence at 2026 Conference and Awards
Schools with nurseries more than twice as likely to be given “needs attention” grading: Government should refocus childcare policy
An investigation by National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) has revealed that Ofsted gradings show that far more schools with early years provision are receiving “needs attention” grades. The investigation is published on the day of NDNA’s national conference in Liverpool where nursery owners and managers from across the UK will network and be inspired by… Continue reading Schools with nurseries more than twice as likely to be given “needs attention” grading: Government should refocus childcare policy
Charity celebrates National Numeracy Day in Maths Champions nurseries
Representatives from National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) celebrated the impact of its Maths Champions programme as part of National Numeracy Day on Wednesday 20 May. NDNA’s CEO Tim McLachlan and Director of Quality and Training Stella Ziolkowski visited Toy Box Day Nursery. Paula Dunn, Quality and Fidelity Manager visited Danesmoor House Day Nursery in Darlington.… Continue reading Charity celebrates National Numeracy Day in Maths Champions nurseries
Manifesto launched to tackle unique challenges for day nurseries in Wales
The National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA Cymru) is calling on the next Welsh government to focus on high-quality early childhood play, learning and care to support every family in every community. Early indications from NDNA’s nursery survey suggest that 89% of day nurseries in Wales make a loss on sessional places and 79% say the full day rate doesn’t cover their costs. As a result of rising staffing costs – with the average increase in staff bills around 10.5% – nurseries… Continue reading Manifesto launched to tackle unique challenges for day nurseries in Wales
DfE clarifies safe sleeping requirements
The Department for Education with the Lullaby Trust has written an article clarifying the planned updates to the EYFS on keeping children safe while sleeping. https://help-for-early-years-providers.education.gov.uk/health-and-wellbeing/safer-sleep Minister Olivia Bailey wrote to the sector in March with new requirements to be brought in from September but NDNA have been asking for clarity on a number of points… Continue reading DfE clarifies safe sleeping requirements
Meeting with stakeholders in West Lothian
The Scottish Greens attended NDNA’s member nursery, First Adventures, as part of their election campaign. NDNA Scotland took part in a meeting with the co-leaders to raise awareness of the challenging situation in West Lothian where the council has decided to no longer fund ELC places for children who live across the boundary, and lobby them for change. Hannah Murison, NDNA Scotland’s… Continue reading Meeting with stakeholders in West Lothian
Councils hold back record £115m in early years funding
New Freedom of Information (FOI) findings from National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) reveal that councils across England underspent £115m in early years funding during 2024-25. These figures are the largest underspend recorded in seven years of NDNA annual reports. We issued FOI requests to all England local authorities, receiving 129 full responses and 3 partial… Continue reading Councils hold back record £115m in early years funding
NDNA takes part in ELC hustings
Colleagues from NDNA Scotland took part in Scotland’s early learning and childcare hustings ahead of the election next month. All the major parties from Holyrood were represented for a debate which covered expanding the current offer to families, addressing cross-border issues between councils and improving provision for additional support needs (ASN) in the early years. NDNA presented our policy position on simplifying… Continue reading NDNA takes part in ELC hustings
Childcare Offer for Wales funding rate rising by 4%
The Welsh Government has announced an increase to the Childcare Offer for Wales funding rate which will rise from £6.40 to £6.67 from 6 April 2026. This is an increase of 4.18% according to the announcement, which also confirms the same percentage uplift to the maximum amount providers can charge parents for meals. This means… Continue reading Childcare Offer for Wales funding rate rising by 4%
Charity launches manifesto for the best start for Scotland’s children
The National Day Nurseries Association is calling on the next Scottish Government to give children the best start with the right policies in early learning and childcare (ELC). The proposals include a radical change in the delivery of ELC by ensuring funding follows the child through an online account that parents can use to pay registered childcare providers. This approach to… Continue reading Charity launches manifesto for the best start for Scotland’s children
Healthy Body, Happy Me 2026: Healthy Heroes
The National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) is running its annual campaign, Healthy Body, Happy Me to encourage our youngest children to live happy, healthy and fulfilled lives. Our 2026 theme, Healthy Heroes, is all about celebrating the superpowers that help children grow strong, confident and resilient. From foods that energise to caring for your teeth, movement, rest and wellbeing, this year’s activities encourage little ones to discover that being… Continue reading Healthy Body, Happy Me 2026: Healthy Heroes
Join the next wave of NDNA Maths Champions programme: 5,000 new fully funded places for nurseries in England
We’re really pleased to announce that the Department for Education will fund 5,000 additional places on NDNA’s Maths Champions programme, opening the door for even more early years settings across England to take part. The programme supports nursery practitioners to feel more confident about maths and helps them recognise the many ways mathematical thinking can… Continue reading Join the next wave of NDNA Maths Champions programme: 5,000 new fully funded places for nurseries in England
NDNA launches annual survey for early years providers
We have launched our latest survey to gather vital, up to date evidence from nurseries across the UK on real experience from early years providers. As a token of our appreciation, anyone who completes our survey will be entered into a prize draw to win a £75 shopping voucher. This year’s survey focuses on the… Continue reading NDNA launches annual survey for early years providers
Sector needs clarity on ‘exceptional’ grading in New Ofsted report cards
The National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) is calling for clarity and fairness in how Ofsted applies its new inspection framework in early years settings. Our latest analysis shows a stark divide in ‘exceptional’ grades awarded under the new Ofsted report card system. Despite hundreds of providers being inspected this year, almost no private, voluntary or… Continue reading Sector needs clarity on ‘exceptional’ grading in New Ofsted report cards
Government guidance could put nursery children and staff at risk
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
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
Council cuts would force parents to move settled nursery children or pay thousands
Campaigning organisations are urging West Lothian Council to drop its proposal to save money by no longer funding early learning and childcare (ELC) places for families who live outside the borders of West Lothian in private, voluntary, and independent (PVI) nurseries. National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) Scotland along with parent campaigners Pregnant then Screwed say… Continue reading Council cuts would force parents to move settled nursery children or pay thousands
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