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Early years online training

Access NDNA‘s early years online training for nurseries, written by childcare experts. Once purchased in our shop, you’ll receive an email with instructions to access our courses on NDNA’s Development Zone website here.

Early Years Employer Toolkit

Download our Early Years Employer Toolkits below. Within these toolkits, we have equipped you with a range of useful information and resources to help maximise recruitment and support you in finding the right candidates for early years settings to thrive. More early years recruitment support

Child Development: birth to five years – ten facts you may not know

A sound understanding of typical child development, key developmental milestones and how children learn is essential when working with young children.  It allows you to appreciate the cognitive, emotional, physical and social growth that children go through from birth and helps you to recognise if a child is developing as expected or if they are… Continue reading Child Development: birth to five years – ten facts you may not know

NDNA publication previews

See a selection of NDNA publication previews via the downloads below. Each preview includes details of the contents pages of the publication plus additional pages. Visit our shop to purchase your publication. NDNA members receive a discount – remember to login and it will automatically apply it at checkout.

Early Years maths programme boosts child development by three months

A National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) professional development programme aimed at increasing practitioner skills, knowledge, awareness and confidence in supporting early mathematics has been proved to boost young children’s maths skills by three months. A project evaluation report published by the Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) alongside a team from the Universities of York and Durham… Continue reading Early Years maths programme boosts child development by three months

Maths Champions Accelerator Fund

Find out more about the research that supports our Maths Champions Programme  The research The team of researchers running the research trial was based at the University of York and Durham University. NDNA invited applications from early years providers to take part in a research trial (funded by the Education Endowment Foundation partnered with Department… Continue reading Maths Champions Accelerator Fund

£204 million cash boost given to nurseries for childcare expansion

Photo of various stacks and rows of coins with FUNDING concept word imprinted on metal surface

The Government has announced a boost to early years funding with a £204 million cash investment to support the expansion of childcare places. The investment intended to make childcare more accessible allowing more parents to return to work and stimulate economic growth is being celebrated by government as ‘the largest ever investment in childcare.’ But… Continue reading £204 million cash boost given to nurseries for childcare expansion

NDNA Awards 2023 returns to celebrate sector achievements

The NDNA’s annual conference and awards evening brought members and sector experts together to celebrate their achievements in a glitzy ceremony held at Coventry Building Society Arena. Celebrity guest Jenny Powell returned for a second year to host the awards, telling the room: “It is a delight to see the room full of early years… Continue reading NDNA Awards 2023 returns to celebrate sector achievements

Audit Scotland: Roll-out of 1140 hours leaves sector fragile

Audit Scotland have today published their review of the progress of delivery of the 1140 hours expansion. Whilst it was noted that the Scottish Government, councils, and partners did well to increase early learning and childcare (ELC) provision to 1,140 hours a year per child, despite the challenge of the Covid-19 pandemic. They also note… Continue reading Audit Scotland: Roll-out of 1140 hours leaves sector fragile

National Minimum Standards refreshed – Wales

The National Minimum Standards was refreshed and published on 18 May following the consultation that NDNA Cymru responded to. These changes come into force immediately. https://www.gov.wales/written-statement-refreshed-national-minimum-standards-regulated-childcare Main changes include safeguarding training requirements, paediatric first aid, supernumerary staff requirement and staff who are working towards qualifications, on page two and three of the new NMS. Purnima… Continue reading National Minimum Standards refreshed – Wales

Woodwork in early years

There is something really special about woodwork in early years. It is so different from other activities. The smell and feel of wood, using real tools, working with a natural material, the sounds of hammering and sawing, hands and minds working together to express their imagination and to solve problems, the use of strength and… Continue reading Woodwork in early years