Today (Thursday 24 September) we celebrate a milestone for Millie’s Mark, the gold standard in paediatric first aid. Our Director of Quality and Training, Stella Ziolkowski and I visited Smarties Nursery in Rastrick, West Yorkshire to meet their staff and children. Smarties like many other nurseries across the UK benefit from holding the Millie’s Mark… Continue reading Tim and Stella celebrate Millie’s Mark’s 10th anniversary at Smarties Nursery
Regions: All
Early years activity: Repurposing and Recycling
Teaching children about recycling will support them to develop environmentally friendly habits as they grow. This activity will challenge children to think about reusing and repurposing everyday items, encouraging them to think creatively about how objects can be given a new purpose rather than being thrown away. Repurposing and recycling learning aims Resources you will… Continue reading Early years activity: Repurposing and Recycling
Gold standard in paediatric accreditation Millie’s Mark celebrates 10th anniversary
Early years accreditation Millie’s Mark, the gold standard in paediatric first aid, celebrates ten years of keeping children safer later this month, supporting around 250,000 children in nurseries across the UK. Millie’s Mark – founded by first aid charity Millie’s Trust and administered by National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) – was launched in September 2016… Continue reading Gold standard in paediatric accreditation Millie’s Mark celebrates 10th anniversary
Ahead of the Budget NDNA submits evidence for more support for PVI nurseries
NDNA has submitted evidence to the Government, Treasury and ministers from the Department for Education that more needs to be done to support the PVI nursery sector. Private, voluntary and independent (PVI) nurseries deliver the vast majority of childcare places across England and yet the Department for Education continues to invest more in school-based provision.… Continue reading Ahead of the Budget NDNA submits evidence for more support for PVI nurseries
PISA report: mixed picture across the UK for educational outcomes
The 2025 Programme for International Student Assessment (Pisa) results have now been released. These are reported every three years and are taken from a sample of 15-year-old students across multiple nations to assess their maths, science and reading skills. While science scores rose across England, Scotland and Wales, with the largest increase happening in England,… Continue reading PISA report: mixed picture across the UK for educational outcomes
Top tips: Celebrating difference
Every child is unique, and our differences are something to celebrate. Help children recognise and celebrate differences in positive ways, from hair and skin colour to languages, families, abilities, interests, cultures and traditions. Create an environment where children feel proud of who they are, see themselves reflected in their surroundings and learn to appreciate the… Continue reading Top tips: Celebrating difference
Early years activity: My hair and me
World Afro Day is a Global Day of Celebration and liberation for Afro hair. The day aims to challenge negative attitudes and help people understand and appreciate the diversity of Afro hair and identity. This my hair and me activity provides a wonderful opportunity to explore the idea that everyone’s hair is different, and every… Continue reading Early years activity: My hair and me
Celebrating 10 years of Millie’s Mark
A decade ago, Millie’s Trust partnered with NDNA to create Millie’s Mark,the gold standard for paediatric first aid (PFA). During September, we’re celebrating 10 years of Millie’s Mark and we hope you can be involved. Millie’s Mark day will take place on Thursday 24 September and we have created a range of activities below that… Continue reading Celebrating 10 years of Millie’s Mark
Top tips: Black History Month
Black history month arrives every October. What does it mean for educators working with under-fives? It means making sure every child sees themselves reflected in their environment and that difference is the interesting norm. October is a useful to prompt to check it’s happening throughout the year and these tips are to help you run… Continue reading Top tips: Black History Month
Early years activity: Carnival comes to nursery
The following activities are perfect for your celebration of Black history. Early preparations will ensure it’s well-planned, meaningful and understood by everyone. Children will have the opportunity to make instruments, feel the rhythm of the music and the pure joy of Black British carnival tradition. Carnival comes to nursery learning aims Resources you will need… Continue reading Early years activity: Carnival comes to nursery
Scottish Government’s plans for childcare announced
The Scottish Government has now published its Programme for Government, including an update on plans for childcare. The Programme for Government (PfG) 2026 to 2031 sets out the priorities Scottish Government would like to achieve by the next election in 2031 and how they are planning to achieve it. The key elements of the latest… Continue reading Scottish Government’s plans for childcare announced
Booming Demand, Shrinking Sector. The Real Story Behind Nursery Closures.
Written by: TradeBridge · Early Years Finance Demand for childcare has never been stronger. So why are nurseries still closing? The problem isn’t demand. It’s finance that doesn’t match how nurseries actually get paid. You already know the numbers because you’re living them. Government spending on the early years entitlement has nearly doubled in two… Continue reading Booming Demand, Shrinking Sector. The Real Story Behind Nursery Closures.
Top tips: Inclusive Physical Storytelling
Storytelling is a wonderful way to engage young children, and physical storytelling makes the experience even more meaningful. By combining movement, imagination and language, physical storytelling encourages children to become active participants as they bring a story to life. Use our top tips below to help ensure every child can take part, feel included and… Continue reading Top tips: Inclusive Physical Storytelling
Early years activity: Outdoor Storytime
Storytime outdoors offers children a wonderful opportunity to combine literacy, physical activity and imaginative play. Taking a familiar story into the natural environment encourages children to become active participants rather than just listeners, inspiring them to explore, move, create and collaborate. By inventing their own version of We’re Going on a Bear Hunt, children develop… Continue reading Early years activity: Outdoor Storytime
Top tips: Safety in play
Providing a stimulating, safe environment enables children to explore, be curious and to learn and develop in an environment where the risk of harm is minimised. Review our top tips as part of your safety in play approach. Top tips for safety in play 1. Ensure appropriate supervision according to children’s age, stage of development… Continue reading Top tips: Safety in play
Early years activity: Friendship circle
Practitioners play an important role in supporting children’s friendships, through creating inclusive environments, role modelling positive interactions and providing opportunities for children to socialise in varied peer groups. Learning how to be a good friend builds the foundations for future healthy relationships and confident socialisation, which supports positive mental well-being. Friendship circle learning aims Resources… Continue reading Early years activity: Friendship circle
Majority of Scottish councils not paying genuinely ‘sustainable rates’
An investigation by National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) Scotland has revealed that the majority of councils in Scotland are failing to adequately cover the increase in costs for partner providers in their funding rate for the 2026-27 period. This leaves providers and parents to pick up the slack and pay for the difference themselves. Nurseries… Continue reading Majority of Scottish councils not paying genuinely ‘sustainable rates’
Early years activity: Exploring our amazing planet with loose parts
Children are naturally curious about the world around them, and open-ended play with loose parts provides endless opportunities for exploration, creativity and discovery. Our planet is full of fascinating environments, from lush rainforests and sandy deserts to icy polar regions and rocky coastlines. This activity introduces children to some of the diverse habitats found around… Continue reading Early years activity: Exploring our amazing planet with loose parts
Top tips: Engaging the important men in children’s lives
Men can play an important role in children’s learning, development and well-being. This may include fathers, stepfathers, grandfathers, uncles, foster cares, male partners and other significant men in children’s life. When the important people in children’s lives feel welcomed, valued and involved in nursery life, children benefit from stronger relationships, increased confidence and positive learning… Continue reading Top tips: Engaging the important men in children’s lives
Top tips: Process over product
We often praise the finished picture, model or block tower, but it’s the thinking and the changing ideas that builds real creative confidence. When we focus on the process rather than the product, children learn that ideas are worth exploring and testing and above all, valued. When engaged in creative activities with the children, keep these top tips in mind: Top tips for process over product NDNA products… Continue reading Top tips: Process over product