Regions: England

Ofsted report focuses on the three prime areas of learning

Continuing its series of research relating to early years education Ofsted has published its report ‘Best Start in life part 2: the prime areas of learning’. The aim of the report is to support practitioners in raising the quality of education within early years and follows on from Part 1 which covered staffing, curriculum and… Continue reading Ofsted report focuses on the three prime areas of learning

Voters say that early education reform key in General Election   

A new report from the Early Education and Childcare Coalition (EECC) – of which NDNA is a member – launched today has revealed that for 42% of British voters, childcare and early education reform will be key in their decision about who to vote for in the general election.  The new report ‘Pulse Check: Public… Continue reading Voters say that early education reform key in General Election   

David Johnston appointed as new Children and Families minister

The MP for Wantage and Didcot, David Johnston OBE has been appointed as the new parliamentary under-secretary of state for education to replace Claire Coutinho as part of the Prime Minister’s mini reshuffle today. He is the eighth minister with responsibility for childcare in the last five years. Until this morning, Claire Coutinho MP held… Continue reading David Johnston appointed as new Children and Families minister

Childcare Providers Facing Nationwide Recruitment Crisis

TUC have published a report on the childcare sector national recruitment crisis and are calling for a comprehensive strategy for the care workforce in England. New analysis by the TUC using Coram Family and Childcare data shows that childcare recruitment is in crisis on a national scale with every English region struggling to recruit childcare… Continue reading Childcare Providers Facing Nationwide Recruitment Crisis

Have your say: mandatory reporting of child sexual abuse

A government consultation on mandatory reporting of child sexual abuse is due to close next week. The consultation, which could make it a criminal offence for early years workers to fail to report cases, follows recommendations from the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse. The proposal to create ‘mandated reporters’ would cover those working in… Continue reading Have your say: mandatory reporting of child sexual abuse

Scrap business rates and support sector – Education Committee report concludes

The Education Committee published its long-awaited report following its inquiry into childcare, recommending more financial support for nurseries and measures to improve recruitment and retention. It’s main message was that the Government: “has more work to do and should consider wider policy changes to ensure children benefit from high quality affordable childcare and to help… Continue reading Scrap business rates and support sector – Education Committee report concludes

Government funding plans for 2024-2025 – have your say

The Department for Education (DfE) has announced a consultation into how the funded entitlements will be calculated for the expanded childcare offer from April 2024. The “expected average rate” is currently £8.17 for two-year-olds and £11.06 per hour for under twos. The same rate will be used for disadvantaged two-year-olds who are currently eligible for… Continue reading Government funding plans for 2024-2025 – have your say

Nine in ten councils fear they won’t have nursery capacity for expansion 

New research by the Local Government Association reveals that nursery closures this year will have a dramatic impact on the Government’s planned extension of the 30 hours free childcare scheme.  Nine in ten councils fear that they will not have capacity to deliver the scheme universally next year as planned due to insufficient funding. In… Continue reading Nine in ten councils fear they won’t have nursery capacity for expansion 

Latest Ofsted stats show 650 nurseries fewer and almost one in five nurseries given poor grading

Statistics word on wooden table

Ofsted’s latest data release has revealed that there are 7% fewer early providers and 2% fewer places for children in England. The picture looks grim for nurseries and pre-schools, with a net loss of 651 settings on the EY register in just one year and more than 4,000 places lost since August alone. Inspectors have… Continue reading Latest Ofsted stats show 650 nurseries fewer and almost one in five nurseries given poor grading

Nursery closure rates up fifty per cent on last year

closed square grunge isolated stamp. closed sign

Nurseries continue to close at a faster rate than previously, with fifty per cent more closures in 2022-23 compared with the previous year, according to research by National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA). As the early years sector in England is preparing for a massive expansion of Government-funded childcare from April 2024, this raises serious questions… Continue reading Nursery closure rates up fifty per cent on last year

Government to consult on further changes to the EYFS

The Department for Education has launched an eight week consultation on possible changes to the Early Years Foundation Stage as part of reforms they hope will help providers. They are proposing changes to the EYFS framework to tailor the content to different types of provider as well as make practical changes aiming to: Offer providers… Continue reading Government to consult on further changes to the EYFS

Early years funding – millions used for other purposes or taken back by DfE

Local authorities are continuing to use £millions of early years funding to offset other deficits or put in reserves, according to an investigation by National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA). As the biggest voice for the sector, the charity also discovered that almost £60m of early entitlement funding was “clawed back” by the Department for Education… Continue reading Early years funding – millions used for other purposes or taken back by DfE

Childcare expansion: success or failure depends on government support

Following the ambitious announcement of extra funded early education and care for children and families in the Spring Budget, National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) has found providers need urgent support with staffing and that all promised funding must reach the front-line, if they are to deliver this policy. This is such a crucial time for… Continue reading Childcare expansion: success or failure depends on government support

Meet the Minister at NDNA’s Annual Nursery Conference

Children, Families and Wellbeing Minister Claire Coutinho will be attending National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA)’s conference in June. The MP for East Surrey, whose brief includes early years and childcare, will be delivering her keynote speech at the Shaping the Future of Childcare: Making the First Five Years Count conference on Friday 9 June. Delegates… Continue reading Meet the Minister at NDNA’s Annual Nursery Conference

NDNA respond to Government’s ratio consultation findings

The Government has published the findings of their consultation into changing adult:child ratios for two-year-olds. It found that the majority (70%) would be unlikely to change their provision if ratio requirements were relaxed, of which 45% saying they would be very unlikely. Despite the overwhelming response from the sector, the Chancellor announced changes to the… Continue reading NDNA respond to Government’s ratio consultation findings

NDNA respond to Chancellor’s Spring Budget

All children over the age of nine months will be entitled to 30 hours of funded childcare, the Chancellor announced in his Budget today in a bid to get more parents into the workforce. An additional £204m will be invested in September to increase the current hourly funding rate for the existing 30 hours scheme… Continue reading NDNA respond to Chancellor’s Spring Budget

Childcare crisis: business rates bills shoot up by 40% for nurseries

A national early years charity calls on the Chancellor to make nurseries exempt from paying unfair business rates as a poll shows their average bill is 40% higher from April. Ahead of the Budget, National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) can reveal that once the new rates revaluations start in April, the average nursery will pay… Continue reading Childcare crisis: business rates bills shoot up by 40% for nurseries

Childcare crisis: 98.4% of nurseries losing £1000s due to funding shortfall

Government’s underfunding of childcare places in England has led to an 87% increase in nursery closures, with the average setting losing more than £32,000 a year just for their 15-hour funded places for three and four-year-olds. This figure can be doubled for nurseries with children on the 30-hour offer, which National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA)… Continue reading Childcare crisis: 98.4% of nurseries losing £1000s due to funding shortfall

Women 7 times more likely to be out of work due to caring commitments: TUC finds

The analysis of official statistics – published at the annual Trades Union Congress women’s conference (8 March) – finds that more than 1.46 million women are unable to work alongside their family commitments, compared to around 230,000 men. New TUC analysis finds more than 1.46 million women are kept out of the labour market because… Continue reading Women 7 times more likely to be out of work due to caring commitments: TUC finds