Your child’s nursery journey
We’re on a mission to widen parents’ understanding of the value of early years education. We know that a child in nursery has the opportunity to; relax and be creative, experience open-ended play, be physically and mentally active, get messy, loud and take risks, develop their language with peers and develop their balance and coordination.
Download our free parent guides to support you through your early education journey below.
See parent campaign
Find a nursery for your child
At NDNA, we know that choosing an early years setting for your child is one of the most important decisions you can make in starting your child’s educational journey.
Did you know a high quality nursery can put children three months ahead? Enrolling your child in an early years setting can have a positive impact that lasts a lifetime. Find out more about this through our campaign.
Access our guides to help you choose:
Are you a parent/carer preparing for nursery?
Thinking about childcare and returning to work can be a daunting and often a scary thought, especially when baby places in popular, high quality nurseries often fill up fast meaning you may have to make these decisions when your baby is still quite young.
This factsheet has been developed to support you through this process and make that transition from parental leave to a working parent a little easier.
Free guide to preparing for nursery
Are your children already in early years education?
NDNA’s parent guide series equips parents and carers with the knowledge to help their child thrive throughout their time at nursery:
- A guide to promoting positive behaviour
- A guide to weaning and toilet training
- Everyday activities to support 0-2 year olds
- Supporting schemas in your home
- Supporting your child’s learning journey
- A guide to home learning
- Information for parents on the Curriculum for Wales
Is your child getting ready for school?
School is a big step for any child but one that is often supported well by attending an early years educational setting. NDNA has developed a ‘getting ready for school’ series of guides for parents and carers.
Looking for early years funding information?
Research repeatedly shows that high quality early years education and childcare can improve children’s educational outcomes and later life chances as well as narrow the attainment gap between disadvantaged children and their peers from more affluent backgrounds.
Find out more about what NDNA is doing to lobby and campaign for better funding for early years settings in each nation.
If you are an eligible working parent of a two-year-old download our quick step guides to take you through the steps needed to obtain your code.
More funding information
Nurseries aren’t just childcare.
We know that nurseries and the early years workforce have an impact that lasts a lifetime. We’re here to shout loud and proud about the incredible difference nurseries and the early years workforce make and give thanks to those who give so much to the futures of children. A high-quality, affordable early years sector also enables parents to be a productive part of the workforce.
Nominate a Super Star in your child’s early years setting, help us to spread the word and watch our video to see just much those #firstfiveyearscount.
Nominate a Super Star
Quiet time activity ideas
Calm, relaxing activities do not mean children have to stop playing and having fun or to sit still in one place, it just means a change to the pace, focus and external stimuli, whilst continuing to provide fun experiences for children to be involved in. Be a great role model by taking time to find space in your day for some calm, quiet time with your child.
Download our free Healthy Body Happy Me ‘Relax with Me’ home-learning guide for parents.
Download your guide
More support for parents of nursery aged children
Paediatric first aid through Millie’s Mark
Find out moreUseful links for parents/carers
Find out moreFAQs for parents/carers
Find out moreTell your nursery about Quality Counts
Find out moreInformation about Ofsted and nurseries
Find out moreAsk your nursery if they are an NDNA member
Find out moreInspire learning at home
Packed with early years activities about outdoor play, festivals, literacy, additional needs and much more! Receive our weekly myNDNA email with a free activity, tip and factsheet and access a wealth of practical resources set to inspire on the myNDNA resources page by signing up.
Parents and carers can access a wealth of free activities and tips that can be suggested to your nursery or done at home.
Explore myNDNA
