New Prime Minister Andy Burnham confirmed late last night (Monday 20 July) that Lucy Powell is his new Secretary of State for Education. The Manchester Central MP replaces Bridget Phillipson who served as Education Secretary under Sir Keir Starmer. Ms Phillipson will continue within the Department for Education as the Minister for Women and Equalities… Continue reading Lucy Powell appointed new Education Secretary
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Screentime for children – getting the balance right
By Stella Ziolkowski, NDNA’s Director of Quality and Training As technology has evolved over the years, I have increasingly noticed the impact it is having on children’s daily lives. Over the past few years, while travelling on trains, sitting in cafés, or simply observing families in public spaces, I have been struck by the amount… Continue reading Screentime for children – getting the balance right
Work with NDNA: Early Years Advisor
Main purpose of the job The post holder will develop products, training materials and respond to member queries. They will be responsible for the high quality development of products in line with NDNAs mission to promote quality in early years. The post holder will work collaboratively with other Early Year’s Advisors and managers within NDNA… Continue reading Work with NDNA: Early Years Advisor
Early years activity: Nature Rangers Role Play
Promote imaginative and outdoor play with a Nature Rangers-themed role play area. Children can search for natural treasures, care for wildlife and discover the wonders of the natural world through exciting adventures. This engaging activity encourages curiosity, communication, teamwork and a love of nature as children take on special missions to protect, investigate and care for the world around them. Nature Rangers Role Play… Continue reading Early years activity: Nature Rangers Role Play
Top tips: Managed risk taking
Children are naturally curious and have an instinctive desire to explore, investigate, climb, test boundaries and challenge themselves. Opportunities to take managed risks are an important part of children’s learning and development, helping them to build confidence, resilience, problem-solving skills, physical competence and an understanding of how to keep themselves safe. By providing children with opportunities to… Continue reading Top tips: Managed risk taking
Top tips: Inclusion starts here
Creating a genuinely inclusive team doesn’t just happen. It requires nursery leaders to look honestly at the culture they are building, not only policies in the file, but the everyday moments that let each member of the team know they are valued and belong. The following tips are starting points for reflection and action. Top tips for inclusion starts here NDNA products… Continue reading Top tips: Inclusion starts here
Early years activity: Look what I can do
This July, we mark Disability Pride Month with a simple, sensory printing activity using paint and paper. Children make prints with their hands, feet, elbows, fingers, fists, feet, knees, choosing for themselves how their body meets the page. The resulting display celebrates the fact that there is no single right way for a body to work and that… Continue reading Early years activity: Look what I can do
Top tips: Encouraging curiosity and why it matters
Curiosity is one of the most important skills children can develop. Curious children are more confident learners, better problem-solvers and more engaged with the world around them. When children ask questions, explore and investigate, they are building the foundations for lifelong learning. Use our top tips to ensure children are encouraged to be curious both… Continue reading Top tips: Encouraging curiosity and why it matters
Minibeast and bug discovery early years activity
In this activity, children will become little explorers as they go on a minibeast and bug discovery adventure. Using magnifying glasses, they can closely observe the creatures they discover, encouraging curiosity, careful observation and early scientific thinking. The activity also helps children develop an appreciation of the natural world and promotes respect and care for living things. Learning activities What you’ll need… Continue reading Minibeast and bug discovery early years activity
A manager’s guide to staff supervisions in early years settings
This guide explains why regular, meaningful supervision is essential in early years settings. It explores how supervision supports staff well-being, strengthens safeguarding practice, improves quality and helps managers create a reflective and supportive culture. It also considers common barriers to effective supervision and offers practical ways to make supervision a consistent and valuable part of… Continue reading A manager’s guide to staff supervisions in early years settings
Top tips: Free summer activity ideas for families
Summer can be a time when parents are looking for budget friendly ideas to entertain the family. Having fun doesn’t have to cost money, so why not create a list of fun, free activities for your families to enjoy, starting with the tips below. NDNA products to support you with this tip Early years parent partnerships: developing positive relationships with parents… Continue reading Top tips: Free summer activity ideas for families
Early years activity: Ball bonanza
Physical activity is essential for good health and well-being and the activity ideas below are designed to support children’s gross and fine motor skills, balance, coordination and confidence through a range of high energy ball games, offering lots of fun. Ball bonanza learning aims Resources you will need for this activity See individual activities. Ball… Continue reading Early years activity: Ball bonanza
Top tips: Movement matters
Movement comes naturally to young children – they climb, spin, jump and wriggle their way through the world long before they can put any of it into words. However, understanding that movement is good for their overall well-being is something children learn gradually, through experience and through the language and attitudes of the adults around them. As a nursery practitioner, you are uniquely placed to… Continue reading Top tips: Movement matters
Early years activity: World Bee Day
Celebrate World Bee Day with this meaningful activity. Children use natural and recycled materials to build their very own bee hotel – a safe, cosy shelter for bees to rest and nest. Through exploring, making and doing something real for nature, children begin to understand why bees matter and how even the smallest actions can make a huge difference. World Bee Day learning aims Resources you… Continue reading Early years activity: World Bee Day
Nursery healthy eating activity: Teddy Bears Picnic
This fun and engaging activity encourages children to explore new foods, make choices and enjoy meaningful shared moments in a relaxed outdoor environment. Children are actively involved throughout the experience – choosing healthy foods, helping to prepare them and then enjoying their picnic together with friends and their teddies. Along the way, they develop communication and social skills,… Continue reading Nursery healthy eating activity: Teddy Bears Picnic
Using visual aids and prompts – Early Years Tips
Visual aids and prompts are valuable tools within the early years environment, supporting young children to understand routines, build confidence and develop independence. By providing clear and consistent visual support, practitioners can create a more inclusive and enabling environment where children feel secure and able to engage fully in nursery life. Although visual aids are particularly beneficial for… Continue reading Using visual aids and prompts – Early Years Tips
MBEs for two NDNA members
Long-standing NDNA trustee Hazel Moody and founder and director of Bee in the Woods in Brighton, Lucy Owen-Collins, have been given an MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) in the King’s Birthday Honours List. Hazel of Advantage Day Nursery in Surbiton joined NDNA in 2004 and has been a trustee since 2007.… Continue reading MBEs for two NDNA members
Employment Rights Act 2025: What nursery owners need to know now
Running a nursery in 2026 is already tricky enough with staffing pressures and rising costs. Add into that significant employment law changes, and it’s hard to know what you need to know. Our partner Citation have pulled together what’s happened, what’s coming and what you can do now. Already in force since April 2026 Statutory Sick Pay From 6 April,… Continue reading Employment Rights Act 2025: What nursery owners need to know now
The key announcements from NDNA Conference 2026
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
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