The National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA)’s annual Healthy Body Happy Me campaign is taking place next week (22 March – 26 March). The theme of this year’s campaign is Nurture with Nature. Nature nurtures us and is good for both our physical and mental well-being as well as inspiring curiosity in children. This campaign is… Continue reading NDNA urges nurseries to nurture children with nature
Regions: All
Unprecedented coalition urges Govt rethink of recovery plans for children
NDNA is part of a cross-sector group of educationalists, charities, business leaders, unions and young people who have urged the Government to reconsider its pandemic recovery measures for children and young people, asking them to urgently boost investment. In two separate letters to the Prime Minister, coordinated by Fair Education Alliance and the National Children’s… Continue reading Unprecedented coalition urges Govt rethink of recovery plans for children
Research project to see how positive cases are impacting on early years staff
Leading UK early years organisation National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) and the Education Policy Institute (EPI) are launching the third survey in their year-long research project looking at the effect of the Covid-19 pandemic on the early years workforce. With the Covid-19 cases at their peak in January 2021, this survey will look at how… Continue reading Research project to see how positive cases are impacting on early years staff
Hard work of nurseries recognised in Daynurseries.co.uk annual awards
Daynurseries.co.uk has announced the winners of its annual Nursery Awards 2021. The awards recognise 20 of the top rated Nurseries in each region of the UK and the Top 20 Day Nursery Groups in the UK based on reviews from parents/individuals responsible for a child. There are 12 regional/country specific categories for each area of… Continue reading Hard work of nurseries recognised in Daynurseries.co.uk annual awards
Join Us
Our people
Work for NDNA: Associate trainer roles
Become an associate trainer for NDNA to deliver training or undertake quality visits across the early years sector. Qualified early years trainers: England, Scotland, Wales We are recruiting to our associate bank of qualified early years trainers across England, Scotland and Wales. We are looking for trainers with experience in either early years practice or… Continue reading Work for NDNA: Associate trainer roles
Careers at NDNA
If you want to play your part in the future of the childcare sector, then come and work for NDNA! About NDNA National Day Nurseries Association is a national charity and membership association specifically for nurseries. We work in partnership with nurseries, local authorities, national government and a range of partners to develop an environment… Continue reading Careers at NDNA
Early education leads to better outcomes at school
According to the Study of Early Education and Development (SEED) Impact Study on Early Education Use and Child Outcomes up to age seven years, attending early education of any type was associated with better academic results in school. The study produced by academics at the University of Oxford reported that: • All types of early education led… Continue reading Early education leads to better outcomes at school
Good Work Plan for nurseries
Reducing plastic waste and single-use plastic at nursery
Plastic, plastic everywhere… early childhood consultant Sue Asquith takes a look at ways you can reduce single-use plastic and plastic waste at your childcare setting. The (BIG) plastic problem Everyone has heard of the 2018 BBC documentary Blue Planet 2, and how it showed the devastating and increasing impact of plastics on our planet, right?… Continue reading Reducing plastic waste and single-use plastic at nursery
Life as a nursery & early years apprentice
Apprenticeships are a great way for young people wanting to work in early years and childcare to build and develop their skills and knowledge and open the door to a rewarding career. How can I qualify to become an early years practitioner? Most childcare qualifications can be gained while you work in a setting. Apprenticeships… Continue reading Life as a nursery & early years apprentice
Helping children prepare for a new sibling
Having a new sibling is a big change in a toddler’s life. Helping children prepare for a new sibling is important. They will need you to be sensitive, supportive and understanding whilst they come to terms with it. Children going through the transition may feel anxiety, sadness, anger, disorientation or excitement. You should work with… Continue reading Helping children prepare for a new sibling
Your guide to a career in childcare & early years
Find out all you need to know about a career in childcare. The importance of high-quality childcare From the moment children are born, they are constantly learning about themselves and the world around them. If you have that natural love and fondness for every little aspect of curious children then you’ll find that this is… Continue reading Your guide to a career in childcare & early years
Nursery advice: Using social media
Social media can be a great online channel to boost communication with parents and raise awareness of your nursery. And the best part? It’s absolutely free! Sharing news, pictures or videos with parents of your setting allows them to see the day to day activities taking place and is a great tool to promote your… Continue reading Nursery advice: Using social media
Self-regulation in early years
Self-regulation is so important in contributing to children becoming positive learners and for their long-term mental health. So what is self-regulation? Self-regulation is the ability to manage your own energy states, emotions, behaviours and attention, in ways that are socially acceptable. It enables us to monitor and control our own behaviour and adjust the way… Continue reading Self-regulation in early years
Coronavirus: Well-being tips for nurseries
In the current pandemic, self-care and relaxation have never been more important. Stacy Mann has kindly offered to share her expertise as a Relax Kids and Charge-Up coach in this blog post to support the sector. The term ‘self-care’ is changing at this time because there are some very strong emotions coming alongside the ‘normal’.… Continue reading Coronavirus: Well-being tips for nurseries
Toys or no toys at nursery?
More and more nurseries are beginning to reassess their use of certain or all toys in their setting. No toys – or no plastic toys – can mean new enriching learning opportunities for children and also benefits the environment. This is why, among other reasons, some nurseries have chosen to get rid of plastic toys,… Continue reading Toys or no toys at nursery?
Nursery staff well-being
According to the World Health Organisation, mental health is: “a state of well-being, in which every individual realises his or her own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully and is able to make a contribution to her or his community.” What role does your work as a… Continue reading Nursery staff well-being
Support children to develop a positive sense of self
The Early Years Foundations Stage framework promotes from an early age, children’s ability to learn about identity and culture, supporting them to develop a positive sense of themselves and others. Early years practitioners must strive to help children to develop a positive sense of themselves and others through the experiences they provide helping them to… Continue reading Support children to develop a positive sense of self