Two professional development programmes designed by NDNA aimed at increasing practitioner skills, knowledge and confidence in delivering early maths, language and communication have secured funding for 18 London boroughs. The main beneficiaries will be disadvantaged children aged two to five-years-old across Greater London. Supported by the Mercers’ Company as trustee of the Charity of Sir… Continue reading Early years maths and language champions programmes receive funding across Greater London
Regions: England
Government responds to EYFS consultation and announces capital funding for expansion
The Government has today given its response to the measures proposed in the EYFS consultation, most of which will go ahead but some will be scrapped or delayed. Education Secretary Gillian Keegan also announced three areas of investment: NDNA has asked for childcare providers to have the parent updates so they know what parents are… Continue reading Government responds to EYFS consultation and announces capital funding for expansion
Message from DfE: ‘T Levels are not being dropped.’
The DfE have written to educational ambassadors requesting they spread the message that ‘T Levels are not being dropped or de-prioritised’. The DfE are concerned that without the Industry Placement element of the qualification the thousands of T Level students who are currently studying, and those who plan to in the future, will not… Continue reading Message from DfE: ‘T Levels are not being dropped.’
MPs from the Backbench Business Committee held a debate on support for childcare and the early years.
Robin Walker, Conservative MP for Worcester and Chairman of the Education Committee proposed the debate on early education and childcare. Opening the debate on 16th October, he said: “As the parent of a five-year-old and two-year-old… there is probably no single subject more vital to the future success of our children than their earliest experiences… Continue reading MPs from the Backbench Business Committee held a debate on support for childcare and the early years.
NDNA at Party Conferences: Labour Party Conference round up
It could be the last time Keir Starmer addresses his party before the next general election and NDNA were in Liverpool to see Labour ministers take to the stage to announce their vision for early education and childcare. NDNA hosted its own event to present a Blueprint for Early Education and Childcare which included a… Continue reading NDNA at Party Conferences: Labour Party Conference round up
NDNA at Party Conferences: Conservative Party Conference round up
With a general election on the horizon NDNA were at the forefront of the recent Conservative Party conference, speaking to politicians and policy makers about the future of early education and childcare. NDNA’s CEO Purnima Tanuku OBE, spoke at fringe events including a panel discussion hosted by the Early Education and Childcare Coalition’s event. NDNA… Continue reading NDNA at Party Conferences: Conservative Party Conference round up
Thousands more staff needed in early years sector to meet demand
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
Nursery closure rates up fifty per cent on previous academic year
Nurseries in England continue to close at an alarming rate, with fifty per cent more closures in the academic year 2022-23, compared with the previous year, according to research by National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA). The data looked at closures between September 2022 to the start of this academic year and found that 72 more… Continue reading Nursery closure rates up fifty per cent on previous academic year
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
Nursery inspections: Ofsted answer your questions
Ofsted answers your nursery inspections questions from NDNA Conference 2023. At NDNA conference in June, Ofsted representatives ran out of time to answer your nursery inspections questions and asked us to send them on. Here are the responses from Wendy Ratcliff HMI, Principal Officer Early Education. There were quite a few questions which seemed to… Continue reading Nursery inspections: Ofsted answer your questions
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
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
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