The latest Ofsted statistics have revealed that 98% of early years and childcare settings have been judged as good or outstanding at their last inspection. But while the PVI sector has grown by 2% in the last year, numbers of childminders have shrunk by 5%. Group-based providers (childcare on non domestic premises) which is mostly… Continue reading Growth in PVI nurseries but a drop in childminders – latest Ofsted statistics
Regions: England
Ofsted inspections will be confirmed in September
Ofsted has announced today (Wednesday 11 June) that it will delay publication of the inspection consultation response – expected during the summer term – until September. According to HMCI Sir Martyn Oliver, this delay is to “allow more time to analyse responses and carry out further testing of proposals to refine and improve the final… Continue reading Ofsted inspections will be confirmed in September
Early years workforce crisis demands urgent action before further childcare expansion
On the day of their national conference in Liverpool, where hundreds of early years providers will gather, research published by National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) has revealed the scale of the workforce crisis in early education and childcare. The results showed that there needs to be an urgent focus on bringing more talent into the… Continue reading Early years workforce crisis demands urgent action before further childcare expansion
Childcare expansion complicated by uncertainty over charging guidance and inconsistency across local authorities
Research by early years charity National Day Nurseries Association has found that local authorities are taking a mixed approach to implementing the Government’s guidance on delivering funded childcare hours. This is putting additional pressure and stress on early years providers. A short poll of nurseries covering over a quarter of all local authorities in England… Continue reading Childcare expansion complicated by uncertainty over charging guidance and inconsistency across local authorities
Nurseries encouraged to sign up for fully funded Maths Champions programmes
A programme which supports early years practitioners with their confidence and ability to teach maths to children in early years settings is currently recruiting settings to take part. Thanks to the Department for Education’s Accelerator funding, nurseries, nursery schools and pre-schools will be able to participate in the Maths Champions Programme in June 2025. Maths… Continue reading Nurseries encouraged to sign up for fully funded Maths Champions programmes
Early years professional institute now free to support the sector
National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) which powers the Institute of Early Years Education will make access to the platform, resources and CPD tracker free to the early years workforce. The main aim of the Institute is to raise the status of the workforce and professionalise the sector. The Institute was launched last August by NDNA… Continue reading Early years professional institute now free to support the sector
Consultation on amending the indoor space requirements in the EYFS
In a bid to meet demand for the funded childcare offer from September 2025 for children aged from 9 months old the DfE has launched a consultation on indoor space requirements.The current indoor space requirements in the EYFS framework is seen as a barrier for providers to expand their provision. The DfE is seeking opinion… Continue reading Consultation on amending the indoor space requirements in the EYFS
Nursery inspections: Developing outstanding practice
Explore seven key aspects to foster outstanding practice in a nursery setting. Current figures show 14% of nurseries have achieved an Outstanding judgement from Ofsted while 82% of nurseries have a Good judgement. Achieving an outstanding Ofsted judgement requires thorough planning, high standards of care and a commitment to continuous improvement. Below are seven key… Continue reading Nursery inspections: Developing outstanding practice
Giving Ofsted consultation sector’s views
NDNA has given your views on a sector-wide basis in a submission to Ofsted’s consultation on the new report card inspection system. Our submission drew on direct feedback from members, responses in our Ofsted webinar, which included a presentation from senior figures at Ofsted, views of our advisory board and early years experts. The consultation… Continue reading Giving Ofsted consultation sector’s views
As nurseries face NIC hikes, research shows more than £65m of early years funding goes unspent
A new investigation into ’free’ childcare funding for two to five-year-olds across England has uncovered continuing levels of underspends, according to National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA). NDNA discovered that 75% of the 132 local authorities who responded to its Freedom of Information (FOI) request had underspends. This meant that a total of more than £65… Continue reading As nurseries face NIC hikes, research shows more than £65m of early years funding goes unspent
EYFS communication and language: 10 top tips
See 10 top tips to help practitioners understand how to support young children’s EYFS communication and language development effectively. Early years practitioners have an amazing opportunity to support children to develop their EYFS communication and language skills. The ability to listen, understand and communicate is vital in order to be included and thrive in society,… Continue reading EYFS communication and language: 10 top tips
Call on government to support new definition of ‘school readiness’
A Coalition of education and childcare organisations including NDNA has launched a new standard of skills for children starting school. This new ‘Starting Reception’ definition on school readiness has been created following the latest Kindred Squared annual report which highlighted an information gap between teachers and parents. The latest survey reported that teachers and parents… Continue reading Call on government to support new definition of ‘school readiness’
Top tips: Cultural Capital in early years
Right from the start every child brings their own ‘Cultural Capital’, shaped by their experiences and everyday home life. When children join an early years setting, they gain opportunities to explore new and diverse experiences through your curriculum. Discover how you can nurture and celebrate Cultural Capital helping children grow and thrive. Here are 8… Continue reading Top tips: Cultural Capital in early years
New charges guidance to “cut costs for parents”
The Government has put out new ‘Statutory guidance for local authorities on the provision of early education and childcare‘ to early years providers in England emphasising that these charges made to parents must be voluntary. When nurseries are facing rising costs such as National Insurance Contributions increases from April which the Government has admitted are… Continue reading New charges guidance to “cut costs for parents”
National Insurance Contributions significant driver in nursery fee increases
Substantial statutory employment cost increases from April will force nurseries to raise fees for parents by an average of 10% as one in seven nursery businesses are at risk. A survey of nurseries in England last month by National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) discovered that nursery staffing costs will rise by an average of 15%.… Continue reading National Insurance Contributions significant driver in nursery fee increases
Ofsted launches public consultation on education inspections
Ofsted’s chief inspector, Sir Martyn Oliver, has today unveiled planned changes by the Ofsted schools inspectorate and launched a public consultation – Improving the way Ofsted inspects education. The public consultation is asking parents, carers, professionals and learners for their thoughts on Ofsted’s proposed changes to education inspections and the introduction of report cards for… Continue reading Ofsted launches public consultation on education inspections
MPs spoke about nursery issues in National Insurance Contributions debate
Many MPs expressed their concerns about the impact of the National Insurance Contributions rise on nurseries and private childcare providers in a Parliamentary debate (17 December). But Exchequer Secretary James Murray dismissed the issues, referring to increased funding. Ahead of the debate, NDNA had briefed many MPs including Conservative MP Gareth Davies who quoted NDNA… Continue reading MPs spoke about nursery issues in National Insurance Contributions debate
Latest provider statistics show PVI sector crucial to expansion
The Department for Education (DfE) has published its latest Childcare and early years providers survey: 2024, detailing statistics on the characteristics of early years providers in England. The annual survey provides information about early years provider characteristics, the number of childcare places and children attending provision plus details relating to staffing (including qualifications) and fees. … Continue reading Latest provider statistics show PVI sector crucial to expansion
England funding rates 2025-26: won’t factor in National Insurance Contributions
The Department for Education has published the funding rates for April 2025-26 but these won’t include an uplift to account for the increase in National Insurance Contributions announced in the October Budget. The average funding rate for three and four-year-olds – which has the most impact on nurseries as there are more funded three and… Continue reading England funding rates 2025-26: won’t factor in National Insurance Contributions
Scottish Budget – funding to continue childcare support for priority families
Scotland’s Finance Secretary Shona Robison reported on the Budget in Holyrood this week. For early years, the main features of the Budget were: Purnima Tanuku OBE, Chief Executive of National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) Scotland said: “While it’s vital that all children especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds have access to high quality early learning and… Continue reading Scottish Budget – funding to continue childcare support for priority families