The Christmas period is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate cultural diversity – helping children learn about different traditions, value their own family experiences and develop positive attitudes towards the diverse world around them. Inclusive Christmas celebrations ensure that every child feels represented, respected and involved. Inclusive Christmas celebrations outline NDNA products to help you with this… Continue reading Top tips: Inclusive Christmas celebrations
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Top tips: Outdoor art inspiration
The outdoor environment is a wonderful resource – an ever-changing canvas for creativity, imagination and exploration. It offers endless opportunities for children to express themselves, experiment with materials and engage their senses while connecting with the natural world. Inspire your team to see the outdoors as a source of inspiration and creativity for your little… Continue reading Top tips: Outdoor art inspiration
Early years activity: Leaf printing
Leaf printing is a fun and sensory way for young children to explore nature, colours, shapes and textures. By using real leaves and paint, children can create unique patterns while developing fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. This activity also helps children to develop an understanding of seasonal changes and encourages curiosity about the natural… Continue reading Early years activity: Leaf printing
What nurseries need to know about DBS checks
When it comes to early years, keeping the children in your establishment safe is critical. That’s why DBS checks exist. They help you make sure the people you’re hiring are safe and suitable to work around children. But with so many different types of check out there, as well as legal rules, and rescreening requirements to consider, it can all get… Continue reading What nurseries need to know about DBS checks
Nine in ten UK nurseries are struggling with NMW increases ahead of the Budget
Early years settings across the UK are facing unprecedented financial pressures. Almost 90% reported that National Minimum Wage (NMW) increases are placing them under significant strain, according to a new sector-wide survey by NDNA. Our pre-budget survey covered 545 settings across England, Scotland and Wales, highlighting the battling cost pressures on nurseries already operating on… Continue reading Nine in ten UK nurseries are struggling with NMW increases ahead of the Budget
Early years activity: Scrumptious soup
This simple cooking activity encourages sensory exploration, fine motor skills and early maths through hands-on food preparation. Children will help wash, stir and measure ingredients to make a healthy Honeyed Carrot Soup, while learning about where food comes from and trying new tastes. Scrumptious soup activity learning aims Resources you will need for this activity Ingredients … Continue reading Early years activity: Scrumptious soup
Top tips: Using tools at nursery
By introducing a variety of age-appropriate tools in a safe and supportive environment, children are encouraged to explore, problem-solve and develop fine motor skills. From scissors and glue sticks to paintbrushes and even beginner woodworking tools, children can be given the chance to discover how things work through meaningful play. Top tips for showing kindness… Continue reading Top tips: Using tools at nursery
Former Chair of Trustees, Sarah Steel, receives OBE on her birthday
Wednesday 12 November marked a double celebration for Sarah Steel as she attended her investiture ceremony to receive her OBE, an honour made even more special as it coincided with her birthday! Sarah was recognised in the King’s Birthday Honours 2025 for her outstanding contribution to the sector, acknowledging over two decades of leadership and… Continue reading Former Chair of Trustees, Sarah Steel, receives OBE on her birthday
Top tips: Kindness every day
World Kindness Day is a brilliant way to help nurture empathy, friendship and positive behaviour in your nursery. Keep it simple, model it clearly and make kindness visible to children every day. Here are some top tips to support you. Top tips for showing kindness every day NDNA products to help you with this tip… Continue reading Top tips: Kindness every day
Early years activity: Kindness potion
In the kindness potion lab, children mix ingredients for helping, sharing and other kind acts. This sensory, PSED focussed activity helps build language for feelings, turn taking and kind, gentle words. Kindness potion activity learning aims Resources you will need for this activity Kindness potion activity outline How to extend this activity NDNA products to support you with this activity Building your… Continue reading Early years activity: Kindness potion
Early years activity: Make your own safety clothing
This activity helps children explore how bright and reflective materials improve visibility in the dark. Through hands-on fun making ‘reflective ribbons,’ they’ll learn real-life safety while sparking creativity and curiosity. Make your own safety clothing activity learning aims Resources you will need for this activity Make your own safety clothing activity outline How to extend this… Continue reading Early years activity: Make your own safety clothing
Top tips: Staying safe outside in the dark
As the evenings grow darker, it’s important to stay extra vigilant when children are outdoors. In low light or bad weather, young children can be difficult for drivers and cyclists to spot. These easy tips can help keep your children safe when out after dark. Top tips for staying safe outside in the dark Disclaimer:… Continue reading Top tips: Staying safe outside in the dark
JMA Chartered Surveyors: Commercial property specialists since 1991
As an NDNA member, we offer a free business rates review from an experienced Chartered Surveyor, as well as a discount of 12.5% against our standard hourly rate for all professional work conducted on an hourly basis. Having acted for Nursery businesses since our inception and with many clients in the education sector, we have… Continue reading JMA Chartered Surveyors: Commercial property specialists since 1991
Early years activity: Bonfire Night
Bonfire Night is a traditional celebration, filled with the excitement of fireworks, sparklers and bright colours lighting up the sky. For young children, this can feel magical, but it may also be a little overwhelming. This activity offers a safe and creative way to join in the celebrations by making sparkly firework pictures. Through art… Continue reading Early years activity: Bonfire Night
Top tips: Fire Safety
Fire safety is a vital part of keeping children, staff and visitors safe in a day nursery. While the chances of a fire are low, being well-prepared ensures that everyone knows what to do in an emergency. By having clear procedures, the right equipment and regular training, nurseries can create a safe environment. Our top… Continue reading Top tips: Fire Safety
Cyber security in nurseries
Protecting your early years setting with confidence In today’s digital world, nurseries are increasingly reliant on technology, from managing child records to communicating with parents. But with this convenience comes risk. Cyber threats are growing and early years settings are not immune. That’s why NDNA and experts from Citation Cyber and Pound Gates Insurance are… Continue reading Cyber security in nurseries
Real Living Wage to rise by almost 7% from April
The Real Living Wage (RLW) is set to rise from April 2026 by almost 7%, increasing to £13.45 per hour (an 85p rise) across the UK and £14.80 (a 95p rise) in London. The RLW is voluntary with many large and small companies, including a number of nurseries across the UK, choosing to sign up… Continue reading Real Living Wage to rise by almost 7% from April
Top tips: Ensuring inclusion
Creating an inclusive nursery ensures every child feels valued, respected and supported. By embracing diversity, challenging biases and addressing ableism, nurseries can foster a welcoming environment where all children thrive. Here are some top tips to ensure your setting is inclusive for all children. Top tips for ensuring inclusion NDNA products to help you with… Continue reading Top tips: Ensuring inclusion
Early years activity: What makes us the same?
This is a fun personal, social and emotional activity that helps children recognise shared qualities and build a sense of belonging. Through mirrors, games and a group drawing, children explore how similarities connect them while celebrating their uniqueness. What makes us the same activity learning aims Resources you will need for this activity What makes… Continue reading Early years activity: What makes us the same?
Supporting young children with English as an Additional Language (EAL) in early years settings.
In early years settings, children with EAL arrive with a wide range of backgrounds and experiences. Some may have already begun learning English before joining, while others are encountering it for the very first time. Their home environments also vary; for some, English is used regularly outside the nursery, while for others, it may be… Continue reading Supporting young children with English as an Additional Language (EAL) in early years settings.