In this activity, children will mix, roll, shape and decorate their own unique gingerbread person. While supporting their maths and motor skills, this sensory exploration will also fill the nursery with delicious festive aromas. Christmas gingerbread biscuits activity learning aims Resources you will need for this activity You may have your own low sugar recipe to… Continue reading Early years activity: Christmas gingerbread biscuits
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Early years activity: Reindeer snack station
Learning the importance of caring for wildlife, reindeers included, will impact children’s response to the natural world, not only now but in the future too. This activity provides a creative, hands-on experience that fosters empathy and gives children an opportunity to contribute positively to the environment by caring for wildlife. Reindeer snack station activity learning aims Resources… Continue reading Early years activity: Reindeer snack station
Top tips: Inclusive Christmas celebrations
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
Top tips: Recycling Christmas Materials
Learning about the environment and sustainability is an essential life skill. Talk to children about recycling and how this means you are taking something you don’t want or need anymore and turning them into new things, and how it helps keep our environment clean and healthy. Top tips for art inspiration NDNA products to help… Continue reading Top tips: Recycling Christmas Materials
Budget 2025: measures to reduce child poverty but little for nursery businesses
The Chancellor announced her Budget measures today (Wednesday 26 November) which included an end to the two child benefit cap, free training for apprentices but only business rates relief for retail and leisure sectors. Yesterday (Tuesday 25 November) she revealed the new statutory minimum wage rates from April 2026 which will be increasing by between… Continue reading Budget 2025: measures to reduce child poverty but little for nursery businesses
Nurseries need funding boosted to pay statutory wage rises from April
The Chancellor announced increases to the National Living and Minimum Wages on Tuesday 25 November, a day ahead of Budget Day. NDNA called for the government to boost funding rates to match wage increases and maintain pay differences. Here are the new National Minimum Wage/National Living Wage rates from April 2026: Purnima Tanuku CBE, Executive… Continue reading Nurseries need funding boosted to pay statutory wage rises from April
Top tips: Inclusive Christmas celebrations
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
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