How many nursery staff and children are absent – January quick poll

NDNA put together a very short survey for all nurseries across England, Scotland and Wales to find out the proportion of members of staff and children who are currently absent from their early years setting. The survey simply asks what percentage of usual numbers of staff and children are absent during this week (week commencing 17 January). Please… Continue reading How many nursery staff and children are absent – January quick poll

Reach for the stars – we launch NDNA Nursery Awards 2022!

National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) is excited to launch its 2022 Nursery Awards after a break of two years due to the pandemic – with some new and updated categories. NDNA’s Nursery Awards are the only ones to feature awards where parents have the opportunity to vote and show their appreciation for their child’s nursery… Continue reading Reach for the stars – we launch NDNA Nursery Awards 2022!

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

Final piece of research in year-long Covid study launched

Early years membership organisation National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) and the Education Policy Institute (EPI) have launched the fourth and final survey in their year-long research project looking at the effects of the pandemic on the early years workforce. As the numbers of positive cases subside during the spring months, this survey looks at how… Continue reading Final piece of research in year-long Covid study launched

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

Latest research: Early years sector is heavily reliant on the furlough scheme

Nurseries, pre-schools, and other early years settings have been heavily reliant on the government’s Coronavirus Job Retention scheme during the height of the winter lockdown, a new report from the Education Policy Institute (EPI) and National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) finds. The report, which looks at how early years settings in England, Scotland and Wales… Continue reading Latest research: Early years sector is heavily reliant on the furlough scheme

Majority of nurseries in Wales fearing for their future

A snap poll by National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) Cymru shows that the average day nursery has only two thirds of the number of children attending compared with last year prompting real concerns about their financial sustainability. One in five families were keeping their children at home either over fears about the virus or because… Continue reading Majority of nurseries in Wales fearing for their future

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

Wales: Rates relief extended for providers

Registered child care premises in Wales will benefit from 100% non-domestic rates relief for an additional three years, the Deputy Minister for Social Services Julie Morgan has announced. The extension of the rates relief, until 31 March 2025, will provide £9.7m of additional support for registered childcare premises. This will help those who are facing… Continue reading Wales: Rates relief extended for providers