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
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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
Tip tips: Supporting parents with healthy eating at home
Supporting families with healthy eating is an important part of promoting children’s overall well-being. By building positive relationships and sharing simple, achievable strategies, you can help parents feel more confident in creating healthy eating habits at home that work for them and their children. Top tips for supporting parents with healthy eating at home NDNA… Continue reading Tip tips: Supporting parents with healthy eating at home
Early years activity: Making a picture book together
This activity supports practitioners to create a special picture book by inviting children to draw their own ideas as part of a shared story. Adults are there to support each child with their picture and write down their words, helping to build language and confidence. All the pages are then put together into a book… Continue reading Early years activity: Making a picture book together
Families need action on childcare places in first 100 days
Following lobbying by National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) Scotland, MSPs have agreed a motion in Parliament for the Scottish Government to work with local authorities to ensure families can access childcare placements across council boundaries. A debate on expanded childcare took place in Holyrood yesterday (27 May) and an amendment on supporting children from across council boundaries at a national level tabled by Scottish Greens was accepted. On the back of that motion, NDNA… Continue reading Families need action on childcare places in first 100 days
Top tips: Listening to and acting on the voice of the child
Providing meaningful opportunities for the voice of the child requires adults to genuinely listen, act upon what children are sharing and to teach children the power and importance of their own voice. Review our top tips below to assess your daily practice for including the voice of the child in your setting. Top tips for… Continue reading Top tips: Listening to and acting on the voice of the child
Early years activity: We’re Going on a Shape Hunt
Support children to develop positive attitudes and interests in mathematics through engaging activities to explore shape. Our activity takes children into their local community to identify shapes in a familiar environment. We’re Going on a Shape Hunt learning aims Resources you will need for this activity We’re Going on a Shape Hunt activity outline How… Continue reading Early years activity: We’re Going on a Shape Hunt
Government asks Competition and Markets Authority to look at nursery charges
Bridget Phillipson, Secretary of State for Education has written to the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) asking them to look into the way nurseries operate, in particular regarding deposits and “additional charges”. NDNA has told journalists that the Government has at least realised that the system does not work for parents or providers. CEO Tim… Continue reading Government asks Competition and Markets Authority to look at nursery charges
Top tips: Peer observations
Peer observations are a valuable approach for developing a reflective and supportive culture that promotes high-quality practice. They provide opportunities for practitioners to learn from one another, share ideas and strengthen collaborative working. For leaders and managers, fostering the right environment is essential to ensure that peer observations are seen as purposeful and beneficial. When embedded effectively, they become… Continue reading Top tips: Peer observations
Early years activity: Nature inspired playdough exploration
Playdough offers a rich sensory experience that nurtures creativity, imagination and fine motor development. Create an inviting space where children feel inspired to explore and engage in sensory play. This open-ended experience encourages children to experiment, create and express their ideas freely, supporting their curiosity and individuality. Nature inspired playdough exploration learning aims Resources you will need for… Continue reading Early years activity: Nature inspired playdough exploration
New Welsh Government has ambitious childcare plans
Wales has voted in a new First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth who has announced his new cabinet. His Deputy First Minister, Sioned Williams, will also have the brief for delivering Plaid Cymru’s childcare expansion plans. Their manifesto stated: “…a transformational and universal new childcare offer for children from the age of 9 months to 4… Continue reading New Welsh Government has ambitious childcare plans
Early years activity: St George’s big journey
St George never visited England – so what better way to mark his day than by finding out where he came from. This activity takes children on a journey from Cappadocia in Turkey to their own front door, weaving in a dragon that just needs a friend. Big conversations about kindness, courage and belonging, through… Continue reading Early years activity: St George’s big journey
Top tips: Adapting teaching to children’s individual preferences
Every child arrives in your nursery with their own way of making sense of the world — their own pace, sensory needs, communication style and play preferences. As a manager, an impactful aspect of your role is shaping an environment and team culture that genuinely responds to those differences, rather than expecting children to adapt… Continue reading Top tips: Adapting teaching to children’s individual preferences
Top tips: Supporting parents with children’s dummy use
Dummies can be a helpful way to comfort and settle babies, especially in the early months. However, as children grow, it’s important to balance dummy use with lots of opportunities to talk, listen and interact. These tips will help staff to support parents to make confident, informed decisions about when and how to use a dummy and how to reduce reliance on… Continue reading Top tips: Supporting parents with children’s dummy use
Early years activity: Caring for our planet
This sensory play activity provides young children with a hands-on opportunity to explore caring for the environment. Through imaginative play, children are introduced to the idea that oceans can become polluted and that they can help to make a difference. The activity encourages curiosity, cooperation and early awareness of looking after the world around them in a simple and… Continue reading Early years activity: Caring for our planet
Early years activity: Gardening Week – Supporting Communication and Language
Gardening week is a wonderful opportunity to support children’s communication and language as they take part in a range of sensory activities in both the natural outdoor environment and indoor environments. Learning aims Resources Activity outline Extension ideas Create a small flower garden, either in pots or in a section of your outdoor space. Encourage children to take responsibility… Continue reading Early years activity: Gardening Week – Supporting Communication and Language
Top tips: Cultivating Curiosity through Gardening
There are numerous benefits of involving children in gardening experiences, including access to the natural environment, sensory rich activities, working together, promoting curiosity and observing cause and effect. NDNA products to support you with this activity Disclaimer: Activities with children must always be risk assessed, including for allergies or choking. Children must always have… Continue reading Top tips: Cultivating Curiosity through Gardening
Top tips: Conducting productive team meetings
Effective team meetings are essential. Well-structured meetings help staff stay informed, feel valued and work together more efficiently. By making meetings purposeful and engaging, leaders can strengthen teamwork and improve daily practice. Top tips for conducting productive team meetings NDNA products to support you with this tip Supporting Well-being in the Early Years Workforce – Online course Effective Leadership and… Continue reading Top tips: Conducting productive team meetings
Early years activity: Fruit Salad
Encouraging healthy eating habits from an early age is essential for children’s growth and development. Making a fruit salad provides opportunities for children to explore different tastes, textures, weights and colours while developing positive attitudes towards nutritious foods. Fruit salad learning aims Resources you will need for this activity Fruit salad activity outline How to extend this activity Create a ‘fruit chart’ where children can… Continue reading Early years activity: Fruit Salad