NDNA is pleased to announce the launch of the NDNA Awards 2025, sponsored by Hope, which are now open for entries to nurseries and NDNA networks across the UK. The prestigious awards spotlight and celebrate leading talent in the early years sector and the winners of nine of the awards will be announced and… Continue reading The NDNA nursery awards are back for 2025!
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How NDNA gives nursery owners a stronger voice and holds governments to account
Nursery owners and managers are always impacted by changes and initiatives made by governments, local authorities, government departments and others. You may wonder who can speak up for your concerns and represent your views and arguments. You may wonder how you, as a nursery owner, can reach those in power and try to influence decisions… Continue reading How NDNA gives nursery owners a stronger voice and holds governments to account
Large parts of UK classed as “childcare deserts”
A new report looking at childcare availability and accessibility in nine European countries and Australia showed England as being the second worst, next to France. Scotland was in the top three after two Nordic countries and Wales was mid-table. According to the report by Victoria University in Melbourne, 45% of England is a “childcare desert”,… Continue reading Large parts of UK classed as “childcare deserts”
Support launched to help parents make the first five years count
Support and advice for parents of children under five will be the focus of a new campaign launched by early education and care charity National Day Nurseries Association. With government support on childcare for children under three expanding in England, Scotland and Wales, NDNA has launched its parent campaign video. As part of the charity’s… Continue reading Support launched to help parents make the first five years count
Aza & Sons Services
Welcome to Aza & Sons Services, a trusted family-run business offering specialised plumbing, heating, gas, and air conditioning services tailored for nurseries and childcare facilities. With a strong commitment to quality craftsmanship and exceptional customer care, we are proud to be NDNA Corporate Members. Make the most of 10% off Aza & Sons services as… Continue reading Aza & Sons Services
First membership body supporting early education and care professionals
The Institute of Early Years Education has been launched today (Wednesday 7th August). It is the first UK-wide professional membership body for all individuals working, or aspiring to work, in the early education and care sector. Powered by National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA), the Institute supports the personal and professional development of early education… Continue reading First membership body supporting early education and care professionals
Wellbeing support announced for early years workforce
The new Institute of Early Years Education has joined forces with Spectrum.Life, a whole-of-health digital partner, to offer a healthy lifestyles package to anyone working in the early education and care sector who takes up membership. The healthy lifestyles member benefit is intended to give professionals working in the early education and care sector support… Continue reading Wellbeing support announced for early years workforce
NDNA nursery policy and procedure template updated: July 2024
NDNA provides its members with over 90 pre-written policies and procedure templates, to help save nursery owners and managers vital time and £1000s in lawyer and consultant fees. We have looked at all the latest legislation changes and best practice recommendations and we have had to make over 50 updates to the templates. (Last release… Continue reading NDNA nursery policy and procedure template updated: July 2024
#Firstfiveyearscount – support for nursery parents
We know it can be difficult for parents to make the decision to enrol their child at a nursery. Rest assured, we’re here to help you widen your understanding of how incredible early years education can be for children under five. Nurseries can be pivotal in laying the strong foundations for learning and evidence shows… Continue reading #Firstfiveyearscount – support for nursery parents
Stephen Morgan MP officially Early Education minister
The Department for Education (DfE) has officially confirmed Stephen Morgan MP as the Minister for Early Education this week (23 July). In its pre-election manifesto, NDNA called on the new Government to change the language around early years and childcare to include the word education to reflect the importance of this stage of a child’s… Continue reading Stephen Morgan MP officially Early Education minister
NAO finds that disadvantaged gap has widened
The National Audit Office (NAO) has published a best value report on educational outcomes for disadvantaged children and found that despite around £9.2bn investment the attainment gap has widened. It recommends in its Improving educational outcomes for disadvantaged children report that the Department for Education (DfE) invest more in early years. Among its findings were:… Continue reading NAO finds that disadvantaged gap has widened
UK General Election 2024 Results
Labour has won the UK general election 2024 with a substantial majority to form the next government. With 412 seats and a 174 majority Sir Keir Starmer will become the next Prime Minister. In his victory speech he said “change begins now.” In response to the UK general election 2024 results Purnima Tanuku OBE, Chief Executive… Continue reading UK General Election 2024 Results
Preschool reading resources: Camilla Reid
Discover a range of joyful books created by bestselling author Camilla Reid and published by Macmillan Children’s Books.
Physical activity and nutrition in nurseries
We know from research that the early years are a critical time for a child’s physical, social and emotional development. This is when healthy eating and physical activity habits are formed and experiences during these crucial early years can have a lasting impact on the rest of a child’s life. According to NHS data, one… Continue reading Physical activity and nutrition in nurseries
NDNA’s 25th Anniversary Conference Celebrates Winners of Prestigious Awards
National Day Nursery Association (NDNA) celebrated 25years since becoming a charity at its annual conference and awards evening. The NDNA conference 2024: ‘Growing together, championing change for children’s futures’ brought members and sector experts together to inspire and generate new ideas for the future of the early years sector and celebrate the achievements of leaders… Continue reading NDNA’s 25th Anniversary Conference Celebrates Winners of Prestigious Awards
Dr Sara Bonetti introduces the new Institute of Early Years Education
Speaking at the annual National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) conference, Dr Sara Bonetti announced exciting further details about the new Institute of Early Years Education, which will support the early years workforce across the UK. Sara gave a presentation about the Institute at the conference today in Coventry, attended by hundreds of nursery owners, managers… Continue reading Dr Sara Bonetti introduces the new Institute of Early Years Education
Nursery leadership and management: How to build a team
This blog will cover nursery leadership and management of a team. It will explain the different types of team roles and how you can utilise these to make the team effective. It will also cover how to develop your team so that they have the right skills to support children in the nursery. Forming and… Continue reading Nursery leadership and management: How to build a team
eyworks
eyworks is an affordable online early years software platform supporting owners, managers and practitioners in efficiently managing all aspects of an early years business within a single user-friendly system. Made up of six software products, our implementation flexibility allows you to purchase just the software required to fit your needs, meaning eyworks is trusted by… Continue reading eyworks
The Royal Foundation publishes its early childhood Taskforce report
A recent report by The Royal Foundation Business Taskforce for Early Childhood has identified a £45.5 billion opportunityfor business to drive, and benefit from,prioritising early childhood in the workplace, community and wider society. Set up in March 2023 by the Princess of Wales, the Taskforce involves major firms Aviva, The Co-operative Group, Deloitte, Iceland Foods,… Continue reading The Royal Foundation publishes its early childhood Taskforce report