Regions: England

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

Local Authority Early Years Entitlement – underspends and overspends

Currently in England, all three and four-year-olds are entitled to 15 hours of funded early education for 38 weeks of the year. Eligible three and four-year-olds are entitled to an additional 15 hours per week. In addition, since April 2024, two-year-old children of working families are also eligible for 15 hours of funded childcare. This… Continue reading Local Authority Early Years Entitlement – underspends and overspends

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

Government is underfunding us – 95% of nurseries say

A comprehensive survey probing private, voluntary and independent nurseries’ financial sustainability has uncovered a dire picture with 85% of childcare businesses in England making a loss or only breaking even. Ahead of the Comprehensive Spending Review, National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) reveals the shocking landscape in which nurseries and childcare settings are operating, with 95%… Continue reading Government is underfunding us – 95% of nurseries say

Champions Programmes

Boost your team’s confidence and skills in maths, communication & language, and SEND provision with NDNA’s award-winning Champions programmes.  Hear from existing Maths, Communication & Language, and SEND Champions and find out how the projects benefited their settings. Each programme offers a range of support from our early years experts, training and resources. Each programme is… Continue reading Champions Programmes

An introduction to the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) training

Understand the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Statutory framework with NDNA’s training course. Course details Duration: Half day Who should attend: Owners, managers and practitioners What will I learn? This half-day EYFS training course will provide you with a clear overview of the Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage, including the background to its introduction, how… Continue reading An introduction to the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) training

Advanced Safeguarding training for nursery Designated Safeguarding Leads (DSLs)

This two-part training course will give you the skills to be a DSL in a nursery or early years setting, and the ability to deliver safeguarding training to your team. Course details Duration: Full day face to face course and online training courseWho should attend: Nursery professionals acting as the DSLs. Learners must complete a basic safeguarding… Continue reading Advanced Safeguarding training for nursery Designated Safeguarding Leads (DSLs)

NDNATalk England – virtual

Our England event provides you with the latest sector updates and support in policy and practice from the experts.  And best of all? It’s free to members. When: 26 March 2025, 4-6pmWhere: VirtualPrice: FREE to NDNA members (£50 for non-members) More speakers to be announced soon

NDNA tells MPs simplify funding rules to help parents and providers

NDNA’s Director of Policy and Communications, Jonathan Broadbery, today gave evidence to the Department of Work and Pension’s Select Committee regarding how parents on Universal Credit accessed quality early education and childcare places. He also highlighted the wider issues the sector is facing and advanced NDNA’s case for increased investment and a simplified childcare system for parents… Continue reading NDNA tells MPs simplify funding rules to help parents and providers

Ofsted: guidance on significant events or changes to health

NDNA had an urgent meeting today (13 January) with Ofsted about the guidance document ‘Childcare: reporting significant events and changes to health’. This has been taken down by Ofsted for review and we welcome this approach. We understand that it will be made clearer that the guidance will only apply to the registered person whose suitability… Continue reading Ofsted: guidance on significant events or changes to health

How many nursery staff and children are absent – January quick poll

NDNA put together a very short survey for all nurseries across England, Scotland and Wales to find out the proportion of members of staff and children who are currently absent from their early years setting. The survey simply asks what percentage of usual numbers of staff and children are absent during this week (week commencing 17 January). Please… Continue reading How many nursery staff and children are absent – January quick poll

Struggling settings can ask for an Ofsted inspection deferral

Ofsted has announced that early years settings in England which are currently significantly affected by the Covid pandemic can ask for a deferral of their routine inspection. The inspectorate officially resumed its routine inspection work this week which was paused in December. In the announcement they offered to defer inspections for those nurseries which are… Continue reading Struggling settings can ask for an Ofsted inspection deferral

Ofsted report: 98% still good or outstanding but more recent inspection concerns

Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector Amanda Spielman launched Ofsted’s Annual Report 2020-21 today. The report covered the year to September 2021 during which the Inspectorate carried out fewer inspections than normal due to closures and restrictions. Although 98% of nurseries and pre-schools still remain judged as good (76%) or outstanding (22%) there are concerns about the numbers… Continue reading Ofsted report: 98% still good or outstanding but more recent inspection concerns

New shadow education ministers in place

Labour has appointed a new Shadow Secretary of State for Education and Shadow Early Years Minister for their Shadow Cabinet. Bridget Phillipson, (pictured left) MP for Houghton and Sunderland, was appointed as the new Shadow Secretary of State for Education following in the footsteps of Kate Green. Over the weekend, former Shadow Childcare Minister Tulip… Continue reading New shadow education ministers in place