A National Audit Office report looking into the money spent to support children with special educational needs has concluded that children’s outcomes have not improved. The report reported that 101 local authorities in England had overspent on their high needs block and 50% of children were waiting more than 20 weeks for an education health… Continue reading SEN system financially ‘unsustainable’ – NAO report
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“Real” Living Wage rises by 5%
The Living Wage Foundation which sets the voluntary Living Wage has revealed the new wage rates – which nurseries in Scotland delivering funded early learning and childcare must pay. Living Wage – also known as the Real Living Wage – which is linked to the cost of living rises from £12 per hour to £12.60,… Continue reading “Real” Living Wage rises by 5%
CPOMS: The Market Leading Safeguarding Platform
NDNA members who are new customers to CPOMS StudentSafe can save 5% off the software for the initial contract period to streamline your nursery’s child protection policies, enhance safeguarding concern monitoring and incident reporting processes. Key Benefits of CPOMS StudentSafe for Nurseries
Promoting language, communication and emotion regulation in children: neuroscience-based tips
In Professor Sam Wass’ research, he takes live ‘dual-brain’ recordings from young children and adults while they engage in interactions that involve language, communication and emotion regulation. His research, consistent with findings from other researchers around the world, has suggested that letting young children lead an interaction is crucial. For example, children’s brains encode information… Continue reading Promoting language, communication and emotion regulation in children: neuroscience-based tips
The NDNA nursery awards are back for 2025!
NDNA is pleased to announce the launch of the NDNA Awards 2025, sponsored by Hope, which are now open for entries to nurseries and NDNA networks across the UK. The prestigious awards spotlight and celebrate leading talent in the early years sector and the winners of nine of the awards will be announced and… Continue reading The NDNA nursery awards are back for 2025!
How NDNA gives nursery owners a stronger voice and holds governments to account
Nursery owners and managers are always impacted by changes and initiatives made by governments, local authorities, government departments and others. You may wonder who can speak up for your concerns and represent your views and arguments. You may wonder how you, as a nursery owner, can reach those in power and try to influence decisions… Continue reading How NDNA gives nursery owners a stronger voice and holds governments to account
Large parts of UK classed as “childcare deserts”
A new report looking at childcare availability and accessibility in nine European countries and Australia showed England as being the second worst, next to France. Scotland was in the top three after two Nordic countries and Wales was mid-table. According to the report by Victoria University in Melbourne, 45% of England is a “childcare desert”,… Continue reading Large parts of UK classed as “childcare deserts”
Marketing your nursery – top tips
Find out why you should be marketing your nursery and the first steps you need to take in your marketing strategy – researching and planning. Why you should invest in marketing your nursery Marketing your nursery effectively will help nursery owners or managers to attract parents and increase nursery occupancy. A nursery with a strong… Continue reading Marketing your nursery – top tips
Support launched to help parents make the first five years count
Support and advice for parents of children under five will be the focus of a new campaign launched by early education and care charity National Day Nurseries Association. With government support on childcare for children under three expanding in England, Scotland and Wales, NDNA has launched its parent campaign video. As part of the charity’s… Continue reading Support launched to help parents make the first five years count
Aza & Sons Services
Welcome to Aza & Sons Services, a trusted family-run business offering specialised plumbing, heating, gas, and air conditioning services tailored for nurseries and childcare facilities. With a strong commitment to quality craftsmanship and exceptional customer care, we are proud to be NDNA Corporate Members. Make the most of 10% off Aza & Sons services as… Continue reading Aza & Sons Services
First membership body supporting early education and care professionals
The Institute of Early Years Education has been launched today (Wednesday 7th August). It is the first UK-wide professional membership body for all individuals working, or aspiring to work, in the early education and care sector. Powered by National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA), the Institute supports the personal and professional development of early education… Continue reading First membership body supporting early education and care professionals
Wellbeing support announced for early years workforce
The new Institute of Early Years Education has joined forces with Spectrum.Life, a whole-of-health digital partner, to offer a healthy lifestyles package to anyone working in the early education and care sector who takes up membership. The healthy lifestyles member benefit is intended to give professionals working in the early education and care sector support… Continue reading Wellbeing support announced for early years workforce
NDNA nursery policy and procedure template updated: July 2024
NDNA provides its members with over 90 pre-written policies and procedure templates, to help save nursery owners and managers vital time and £1000s in lawyer and consultant fees. We have looked at all the latest legislation changes and best practice recommendations and we have had to make over 50 updates to the templates. (Last release… Continue reading NDNA nursery policy and procedure template updated: July 2024
#Firstfiveyearscount – support for nursery parents
We know it can be difficult for parents to make the decision to enrol their child at a nursery. Rest assured, we’re here to help you widen your understanding of how incredible early years education can be for children under five. Nurseries can be pivotal in laying the strong foundations for learning and evidence shows… Continue reading #Firstfiveyearscount – support for nursery parents
Stephen Morgan MP officially Early Education minister
The Department for Education (DfE) has officially confirmed Stephen Morgan MP as the Minister for Early Education this week (23 July). In its pre-election manifesto, NDNA called on the new Government to change the language around early years and childcare to include the word education to reflect the importance of this stage of a child’s… Continue reading Stephen Morgan MP officially Early Education minister
NAO finds that disadvantaged gap has widened
The National Audit Office (NAO) has published a best value report on educational outcomes for disadvantaged children and found that despite around £9.2bn investment the attainment gap has widened. It recommends in its Improving educational outcomes for disadvantaged children report that the Department for Education (DfE) invest more in early years. Among its findings were:… Continue reading NAO finds that disadvantaged gap has widened
UK General Election 2024 Results
Labour has won the UK general election 2024 with a substantial majority to form the next government. With 412 seats and a 174 majority Sir Keir Starmer will become the next Prime Minister. In his victory speech he said “change begins now.” In response to the UK general election 2024 results Purnima Tanuku OBE, Chief Executive… Continue reading UK General Election 2024 Results
Preschool reading resources: Camilla Reid
Discover a range of joyful books created by bestselling author Camilla Reid and published by Macmillan Children’s Books.
Physical activity and nutrition in nurseries
We know from research that the early years are a critical time for a child’s physical, social and emotional development. This is when healthy eating and physical activity habits are formed and experiences during these crucial early years can have a lasting impact on the rest of a child’s life. According to NHS data, one… Continue reading Physical activity and nutrition in nurseries
NDNA’s 25th Anniversary Conference Celebrates Winners of Prestigious Awards
National Day Nursery Association (NDNA) celebrated 25years since becoming a charity at its annual conference and awards evening. The NDNA conference 2024: ‘Growing together, championing change for children’s futures’ brought members and sector experts together to inspire and generate new ideas for the future of the early years sector and celebrate the achievements of leaders… Continue reading NDNA’s 25th Anniversary Conference Celebrates Winners of Prestigious Awards