New analysis reveals that children who have participated in an early years maths programme gain from sustained progress in both maths and language development by the end of reception class. This progress is likely to be more marked for those from disadvantaged backgrounds. The Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) has released its findings today which suggest… Continue reading New research shows early maths intervention gives children sustained progress
Regions: England
NDNA launches early education and care manifesto
National Day Nursery Association (NDNA) launched its early education and care sector manifesto Make the First Five Years Count today putting children at the centre of its priorities. In this manifesto, NDNA sets out its child-centric approach so the next Government understands how essential this sector is for children’s development and for the economy in… Continue reading NDNA launches early education and care manifesto
Labour responds to NDNA’s concerns about nurseries in schools plan
Labour’s Shadow Education Minister Bridget Phillipson has responded to NDNA’s concerns about Labour’s plans for early education and care in schools. In an interview on The Battle for Number 10: A Sky News Leaders’ Special, Labour Leader Keir Starmer said: “We want to create 100,000 new places for childcare, this is 3,000 nurseries around schools… Continue reading Labour responds to NDNA’s concerns about nurseries in schools plan
The week of the Manifestos
This week we’ve seen the Liberal Democrats, Conservatives and Labour party unveil their 2024 election manifestos including their key pledges to the early years and childcare. Here’s a summary. Liberal Democrats key manifesto points published 10 June Protect and support the rights and wellbeing of every child by: Give parents genuine flexibility and choice in… Continue reading The week of the Manifestos
Council underspends in early years at highest level at £70m
An investigation into ’free’ childcare funding for two to four-year-olds across England has uncovered record levels of underspends, according to National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA). NDNA discovered that at least £70m of early years entitlement funding was underspent in council budgets and not spent on places during the financial year 2022-23. Only a very small… Continue reading Council underspends in early years at highest level at £70m
Work for NDNA: Digital Marketing Manager (Institute of Early Years Education)
Main purpose of the job To be responsible for the ongoing development, digital marketing and growth of the Institute of Early Years Education, working with the Institute of Early Years Education team to raise the brand profile, drive strong online traffic and achieve significant membership growth. To be responsible for innovation and improvement of digital… Continue reading Work for NDNA: Digital Marketing Manager (Institute of Early Years Education)
Manifesto: Make the First Five Years Count
In preparation for this manifesto, NDNA convened a range of focused policy discussions, bringing together early years organisations, researchers, policy think tanks and providers to discuss the biggest issues facing our sector. This led to the creation of a Blueprint for Early Education and Care published in October 2023. Make the First Five Years Count:… Continue reading Manifesto: Make the First Five Years Count
Committee of MPs recommend more oversight of childcare expansion
Following the National Audit Office’s report into the planning for the funded childcare expansion, the Public Accounts Committee has concluded its own inquiry. Due to the General Election being called the inquiry was cut short. However, MPs have published their recommendations to the Department for Education (DfE). These include: NDNA submitted evidence to both the… Continue reading Committee of MPs recommend more oversight of childcare expansion
Too many councils passing on insufficient funding rates to childcare providers
Early education and care providers are not seeing the full benefit of Government funding rate increases for two-year-old places in 88% of council areas, according to an investigation by National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA). In an analysis of 119 local authority base rates for the two, three and four-year-old funded places, NDNA found that in… Continue reading Too many councils passing on insufficient funding rates to childcare providers
Experience-based qualifications route – What do you think?
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Early years entitlement rollout to face future challenges
According to a new National Audit Office (NAO) report the early years entitlement faces future challenges as the rollout continues under an ambitious timetable. The Government’s expansion of the early years entitlement, aimed at increasing the labour market by helping mothers return to work is on track for the first phase of the rollout in… Continue reading Early years entitlement rollout to face future challenges
DfE pulse survey of childcare and early years providers published
The Department for Education (DfE) have today published their latest findings from a Pulse survey of childcare and early years providers which was carried out in November 2023. This latest piece of research, the seventh in a series of surveys conducted since the summer of 2020 asked a sample of GBPs (group based providers),… Continue reading DfE pulse survey of childcare and early years providers published
Childcare expansion: DfE claim 79% of codes validated
The Government has published new statistics on the two-year-old childcare expansion which was launched earlier this month. These include: The DfE added that its recruitment campaign which was launched in February had resulted in interest from 73,000 people. It is also piloting a new scheme to increase capacity by matching up PVI providers with space… Continue reading Childcare expansion: DfE claim 79% of codes validated
Petition launched to scrap business rates for early years providers
PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS PETITION HAS NOW BEEN CLOSED DUE TO PARLIAMENT BEING DISSOLVED AS A RESULT OF THE GENERAL ELECTION. ALL PARLIAMENTARY BUSINESS HAS BEEN STOPPED. THANK YOU TO ALL THOSE WHO SUPPORTED THIS PETITION. NDNA WILL BE MAKING THE CASE FOR BUSINESS RATES OVER THE COMING WEEKS AHEAD OF POLLING DAY ON 4… Continue reading Petition launched to scrap business rates for early years providers
Ofsted Complaints Handling – you can now pause or defer an inspection
Ofsted has updated its policies on complaints handling including pausing an inspection in exceptional circumstances. The regulator hopes that its new policy will make its handling complaints process fairer, thorough and efficient. The changes have been brought in following last year’s consultation and now include allowing providers to challenge factual inaccuracies and seek a review… Continue reading Ofsted Complaints Handling – you can now pause or defer an inspection
Childcare expansion begins from 1 April for parents of two-year-olds
The first phase of the government’s planned childcare expansion started 1 April which is set to benefit over 150,000 children. From this week, parents of two-year-olds in England can access 15 hours a week of government-funded childcare. The full roll out of funded childcare will be in place by September 2025. The Government has launched… Continue reading Childcare expansion begins from 1 April for parents of two-year-olds
Work for NDNA: Administrator
Main purpose of the job This post organises the logistics and administration of delivering accreditation schemes and publications, within the programme delivery team. This includes the packing and posting of publications orders and stock monitoring, supporting customers on their journey through accreditation schemes, financial administration and post-delivery evaluations. Additional duties include the support of the… Continue reading Work for NDNA: Administrator
Childcare applications to open 12 May for parents of nine month olds
The Department for Education (DfE) has announced today that parents of nine month olds who will be eligible for a childcare place from September can start the process of applying from 12 May. From the beginning of September 2024, 15 hours a week of government-funded childcare will be offered to working parents of children from… Continue reading Childcare applications to open 12 May for parents of nine month olds
Sir Martyn Oliver: My priorities for the early years sector
By Sir Martyn Oliver, Ofsted HMCI I’ve now been in the post of His Majesty’s Chief Inspector for nearly two months. It has been an incredibly busy but rewarding start to this new role. As you may know, I come from a schools background, having been a teacher, headteacher, and most recently the Chief Executive… Continue reading Sir Martyn Oliver: My priorities for the early years sector
Budget 2024 – future funding increases to be linked to rising costs
Chancellor Jeremy Hunt announced in his Budget today (6 March) that he will be boosting the funding for the early years entitlement in line with inflation and staffing costs from April 2025. He confirmed that for the next two years, the hourly rate paid to providers will increase in line with the metric used at… Continue reading Budget 2024 – future funding increases to be linked to rising costs