In this fun and engaging activity, children work together to rescue small toys frozen in blocks of ice. It’s a fantastic way to experiment, explore cause and effect and stay cool in warm weather. The activity encourages teamwork, communication and problem-solving, supporting personal, social and emotional development. Children are naturally fascinated by ice and will… Continue reading Early years activity: Ice rescue mission
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Healthy Ice-cream
As the third Sunday in July is National Ice Cream Day, why not make your own healthy ice-cream for children to enjoy as a summer treat. You can choose your own ingredients to make a range of flavours to suit children’s taste buds. Learning aims Resources you will need Ingredients for ice cream mixture Healthy… Continue reading Healthy Ice-cream
10 tips for supporting early years children with allergies
Allergies affect millions of people in the UK, with some allergies causing severe reactions. Ensuring all of your staff are aware of your allergy policy and procedures is essential to keep children safe. Use our top tips for reviewing your practice. NDNA products to support
Early years training for school nurseries and preschools
All NDNA early years and childcare training is up-to-date, reflecting the very latest childcare best practice, making it ideal for nurseries, preschools and school nurseries. It is written by NDNA’s early years experts. All NDNA training is certificated. Explore our different options below, or in our training brochure, to find the perfect early years training… Continue reading Early years training for school nurseries and preschools
Purposeful planning in early years
Find out all about purposeful planning, so you can plan effectively for children’s learning and development in your nursery. Why plan for children’s learning? Planning for children’s learning allows settings to ensure they are offering a broad, varied and rich curriculum of experiences to help children achieve their full potential. Whilst it is important to engage… Continue reading Purposeful planning in early years
Maths in early years: Making maths matter
Maths in early years is an important area of learning for all children and embedding a good foundation in maths is essential for developing life skills. As well as developing number awareness, maths also impacts skills such as spatial awareness, problem solving, shape knowledge and creating and describing patterns. Maths is everywhere! Engaging children in… Continue reading Maths in early years: Making maths matter
Two hundred new school-based nurseries will create 4,000 places
The Government has announced that almost 200 new school-based nurseries will open in September delivering more than 4,000 early education and care places. This will exceed the Government’s initial predictions on places. The next phase of school-based nursery funding will launch in autumn. NDNA has told the press that these new nurseries have to be… Continue reading Two hundred new school-based nurseries will create 4,000 places
Managing your nursery operations
In this series of blogs, National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) provides top tips on developing effective nursery leadership and management skills. The articles address each important aspect of leadership and management in a nursery. We also provide links to where you can find further training and information. Why are nursery leadership and management skills important? … Continue reading Managing your nursery operations
Ofsted announces plan to strengthen inspections through new team structures
Following feedback from last year’s Big Listen and the recent consultation on inspection reform, Ofsted has announced a new structure for inspection teams in schools and further education, focused on improving consistency. The changes mean that following the introduction of the renewed education inspection framework in November 2025: On early years Ofsted said that due… Continue reading Ofsted announces plan to strengthen inspections through new team structures
Transition to school
Moving from nursery to school is a significant milestone for young children. Every child experiences this transition differently, so it’s important to observe and respond to their emotions, acknowledging their individual needs. Offering personalised support can help make the process smoother and more positive. Here are some helpful tips to guide the transition. NDNA products… Continue reading Transition to school
Early years activity: Smoothing Transitions
Moving from nursery to school is a big step for young children and their parents. It’s an exciting time, but it can also bring challenges. By creating a supportive environment and encouraging open conversations, practitioners can help ease worries, answer questions, and provide practical guidance. This activity is designed to make the transition to school… Continue reading Early years activity: Smoothing Transitions
Respectful intimate care in nurseries
Find out about best practice surrounding intimate care routines and how to turn them into meaningful learning opportunities. What are intimate care routines? Intimate care routines are essential throughout the day to ensure that children’s basic needs are met. Intimate care routines include nappy changing, supporting children with using the toilet, feeding, changing clothes and… Continue reading Respectful intimate care in nurseries
Top tips: Messy moments
Messy play should be considered an essential part of early childhood. When children’s curiosity is invited and encouraged and if they are given the freedom to explore and discover, then play can certainly get messy. Embracing messy play offers a chance to foster a fun, inclusive, learning environment with the opportunity to engage with different… Continue reading Top tips: Messy moments
Early years activity: Making, shaping and exploring dough
This is an easy, accessible activity that encourages creativity, sensory exploration and expands vocabulary. In this activity children create their own dough and get to explore its properties by mixing, rolling, stretching and shaping it into various forms. It’s a fun way to incorporate early learning concepts such as shape, colour and numbers while encouraging… Continue reading Early years activity: Making, shaping and exploring dough
Inclusion in early years
Everyone has the right to be treated equally without prejudice or discrimination. So how can you support inclusion in early years? What is inclusion? The Early Childhood Forum’s definition of inclusion is “a process of identifying, understanding and breaking down barriers to participation and belonging.” Early years settings must promote an inclusive environment in which… Continue reading Inclusion in early years
Sarah Steel former NDNA Chair of Trustees honoured with OBE
Sarah Steel, who ran Old Station Nurseries and was NDNA’s Chair of Trustees until earlier this year, has been given an OBE for services to early education in the King’s Birthday Honours List. Sarah has been a long-time NDNA member and trustee alongside her career which started in a single site family-run nursery. She founded… Continue reading Sarah Steel former NDNA Chair of Trustees honoured with OBE
Top tips: Differentiation for children with SEND
Providing equality of opportunity for all children, may incorporate differentiating aspects of your curriculum or provision to provide meaningful learning opportunities for children with SEND. Review our top tips on differentiation against your own daily practice. Top tips for differentiation for children with SEND NDNA products to support you with this tip Disclaimer: Activities with… Continue reading Top tips: Differentiation for children with SEND
Early Years Maths Activity: Sorting Socks
Develop children’s mathematical understanding by using everyday items to sort into matching pairs. Socks are a great way to look at patterns, similarities and differences, and provide problem solving opportunities for children. Learning aims Resources you will need Sorting Socks activity guide How can you extend this Sorting Socks activity? Provide a basket of socks,… Continue reading Early Years Maths Activity: Sorting Socks
NDNA Celebrates Talent and Professionalism at Prestigious Awards Ceremony
National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) took to the stage to celebrate the talent, dedication and professionalism in the early years sector at its annual conference and awards ceremony. The NDNA conference 2025: ‘Every child’s story starts with early years’ brought members and sector experts together to share and inspire innovation for the future of the… Continue reading NDNA Celebrates Talent and Professionalism at Prestigious Awards Ceremony
Chancellor’s spending review plans for the future, but sector needs investment now
Today, Chancellor Rachel Reeves delivered her Spending Review, setting out budgets for all government departments over the next few years. She begun by stating: “We are renewing Britain – but I know that too many people in too many parts of our country are yet to feel it.” It was anticipated that the Chancellor would… Continue reading Chancellor’s spending review plans for the future, but sector needs investment now