Modelling with recycled ‘junk’ can encourage children’s creativity, collaboration, problem solving and sense of achievement. This activity can also be used to support children’s awareness of recycling materials and repurposing items that are no longer in use. Recycling junk play learning aims Resources you will need for this activity Recycling junk play activity outline How… Continue reading Early years activity: Recycling – junk play
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Government must learn from first round of school-based nursery funding
The DfE has announced the second round of funding for school-based nurseries will open later this month – but NDNA has warned that these new or extended nurseries must not create the unintended consequences seen in the first round. Some of the nurseries created in the first phase will seriously threaten the sustainability of existing… Continue reading Government must learn from first round of school-based nursery funding
Supporting new vocab through festivals/special days
Supporting new vocab through festivals/special days offers rich, exciting opportunities to build children’s vocabulary in meaningful ways. Celebrating festivals offers children the opportunity to explore new words, understand different traditions and feel proud of who they are. It also sparks curiosity about others and supports their confidence as communicators. Top tips for supporting new vocab… Continue reading Supporting new vocab through festivals/special days
Early years activity: One of a Kind – That’s Me!
Let’s celebrate what makes every child one of a kind! Guide children on a journey of self-discovery – exploring their likes, differences and what makes them unique. Through stories, thoughtful discussions and creative activities, we’ll build self-esteem and celebrate what makes each of us truly unique. One of a Kind – That’s Me! learning aims… Continue reading Early years activity: One of a Kind – That’s Me!
More to do to make childcare funding fairer in Scotland
Two investigations by early years charity National Day Nurseries Association have shown that nurseries and childminders still get a raw deal when delivering funded childcare in Scotland. Over 80% of councils in Scotland are paying partner providers, including private and voluntary nurseries, a smaller proportion of their Early Learning and Childcare (ELC) budgets compared with… Continue reading More to do to make childcare funding fairer in Scotland
Sharing stories at home
National Read a Book Day is in September – use the day to encourage children and families to get involved, share a story and spend some quality time together. Sharing stories boosts vocabulary, social skills and communication and language skills. Here are some tips to help parents instil a love of books at home. Top… Continue reading Sharing stories at home
Early years activity: Sharing and telling stories
Sharing and telling stories helps children develop language, imagination and social skills. It builds vocabulary, strengthens memory and teaches important life lessons. Stories also foster empathy, creativity and a love for reading, laying the foundation for lifelong learning. Sharing and telling stories learning aims Resources you will need for this activity Sharing and telling stories… Continue reading Early years activity: Sharing and telling stories
Early years activity: Sound spotters
Make a sensory adventure by exploring the outdoors with eyes closed and ears wide open! This playful walk helps builds attention, extends vocabulary and motivates children to communicate. Sound spotters learning aims Resources you will need for this activity Sound spotters activity outline How to extend this activity Create ‘listening stations’ in your outdoor environment.… Continue reading Early years activity: Sound spotters
Smooth moves: Managing transitions in the setting
Smooth transitions between activities help young children to feel secure, stay engaged and develop self-regulation. With clear cues and supportive routines, practitioners can turn potentially challenging moments into opportunities for learning and independence. Top tips for managing transitions in the setting NDNA products to support you with this tip Championing SEND – online trainingAutism Awareness… Continue reading Smooth moves: Managing transitions in the setting
Environmental Print Activity – Scavenger Hunt
A walk in your local community can be a fun and engaging way of identifying a range of environmental print that children see and use in their daily lives. Learning aims Resources Activity guide Extension ideas Create a project book or display, using the photos you took for your scavenger hunt and the additional images… Continue reading Environmental Print Activity – Scavenger Hunt
Healthy Teeth – Tips for Parents
Tooth decay is one of the most common childhood health issues but it’s largely preventable with the right care at home. By encouraging parents to take a proactive approach to their child’s dental routine, you can help set the foundation for strong, healthy teeth and a confident smile. Top tips Offer lots of praise as… Continue reading Healthy Teeth – Tips for Parents
Parent template letter for Universal Credit
We have been approached by a number of nurseries where parents have had their Universal Credit Childcare payments reduced as a result of the updated charging guidance from DfE. These settings report that parents are being told meals and consumables are optional charges and as a result, will no longer be accepted as part of… Continue reading Parent template letter for Universal Credit
Key things to consider when growing your day nursery business via acquisitions
In this article, Courteney Donaldson, Managing Director – Childcare & Education at Christie & Co, shares a list of top things to consider if you’re planning to grow your day nursery business by acquiring another setting, or further expanding your nursery business. Are you a day nursery owner looking to expand your business by buying… Continue reading Key things to consider when growing your day nursery business via acquisitions
Increases to national minimum wages cannot be unfunded in early years
The Low Pay Commission has announced that it is revising up its estimated increase in the National Living Wage (NLW) for 2026/27 from £12.65 to £12.71 per hour. This estimation is based on “stronger than forecast” wage growth, which impacts on how the National Living Wage is calculated. The Commission has now received its remit… Continue reading Increases to national minimum wages cannot be unfunded in early years
Best baby beginnings: Supporting babies in nurseries
Baby’s brains double in size in the first year of life. In order to grow and develop, babies need as many quality interactions with caring adults as possible. It is important that if you care for babies, you truly understand the positive impact you can have. See our top five tips for supporting babies in… Continue reading Best baby beginnings: Supporting babies in nurseries
Embedding mark making across your provision
Mark making is the foundation of early writing, creativity and communication – and it should be happening everywhere, every day. As leaders, it’s our job to inspire our teams to create rich environments and champion mark making across the whole provision – indoors and out. Here are our top tips put mark making at the… Continue reading Embedding mark making across your provision
Early years activity: Big marks, little hands
Mark making starts long before children pick up a pencil – and sand is the perfect sensory surface to explore it. This simple and engaging activity invites curious children to make their mark, build those early writing muscles and express themselves creatively and playfully. Big marks, little hands learning aims Resources you will need for… Continue reading Early years activity: Big marks, little hands
Empathy in early years: supporting children to empathise
Explore what empathy is, supporting children to empathise with others and the role of the word ‘sorry’. What is empathy? Empathy is the ability to recognise, understand and share the feelings of someone else. It is about being able to stand in another person’s shoes and truly feel how they do, in a given situation. … Continue reading Empathy in early years: supporting children to empathise
Early years activity: Shape hunt
A shape hunt helps children develop mathematical concepts, language and motor skills through playful exploration. As they find and name shapes, they build confidence, problem-solving abilities and curiosity in a fun, hands-on way. Shape hunt learning aims Resources you will need for this activity Shape hunt activity guide How to extend this activity Disclaimer: Activities… Continue reading Early years activity: Shape hunt
Top tips: Managing local outings
Local outings enrich learning by helping children explore their community, develop social skills, and build confidence. They encourage physical activity, language growth and real-world understanding while making learning fun and memorable. Here are some tips for managing local outings. NDNA products to support you with this tip Disclaimer: Activities with children must always be risk… Continue reading Top tips: Managing local outings