Regions: England

Thousands more staff needed in early years sector to meet demand

Staffing shortages is shown using a text

Recent research by the innovation charity Nesta shows that the early years sector needs an additional 27,500 practitioners to deliver the expansion of free childcare hours to under-3s, announced in the Spring Budget 2023.  This represents an increase in demand of 8% and further challenges an over-burdened sector that has lost 3% of the workforce… Continue reading Thousands more staff needed in early years sector to meet demand

MP visits nursery awarded 1000th Millie’s Mark accreditation 

Mary Robinson MP for Cheadle visited the nursery which was awarded the 1000th Millie’s Mark in July.  Millie’s Mark is the gold standard in paediatric first aid for early years settings across England and Scotland. Since it was launched in 2016, more than 1000 nurseries and other early years settings have now achieved the mark… Continue reading MP visits nursery awarded 1000th Millie’s Mark accreditation 

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

Tax-Free Childcare: Parents only using half of accounts

The Government has published its latest statistics for Tax-Free Childcare showing that half of all open accounts are not even used. There was a dip in numbers of people using TFC in June but otherwise more people are using the support than previously. However, only 50% of open accounts were used in April which means… Continue reading Tax-Free Childcare: Parents only using half of accounts

NDNA July network chairs meeting

Monday, 4 July 2022, 11.00am-12.40pm (via Zoom) Please find in this article a summary of the England Network Chairs’ Meeting of 4th July 2022. We have summarised the key points raised by the Network Chairs. They represent 44 networks across England. Networks allow nursery providers to share experiences and establish a collective voice to ensure… Continue reading NDNA July network chairs meeting

Government rejects calls for review into early years funding system

The Government has responded to a report, published by the Petitions Committee which called for a review into the current childcare system. It said in its response that it is “not currently planning a review of the childcare system”. The Government believes that currently “support is available to help with childcare costs” and that it… Continue reading Government rejects calls for review into early years funding system