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
Tag: underfunding
NDNA agrees that it’s time to make staff wellbeing a policy
The Anna Freud Centre has today published its findings from a survey about staff wellbeing alongside NDNA’s sample well-being policy. Early years staff working in nurseries or preschools would like their settings to be more open about staff mental health, and to ensure staff wellbeing policies are in place and upheld. While many find their… Continue reading NDNA agrees that it’s time to make staff wellbeing a policy
Early years recruitment costs must be reflected in funding rates
Higher employment figures and higher wages will exacerbate the early years sector’s already challenging recruitment and retention issues, says NDNA. A report by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) released today (12 October) gives a picture of numbers of employees returning to pre-pandemic levels with unemployment down and vacancies soaring. • Number of payroll employees… Continue reading Early years recruitment costs must be reflected in funding rates
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