With the cost of living crisis hitting both parents and early years providers , MPs have put questions to Will Quince about the current challenges the sector is facing. Labour MP for Bedford Mohammed Yasin raised the point during education questions in the House of Commons. He said that childcare costs have gone up because… Continue reading MPs Question Minister on early years funding and ratios
Regions: England
New report shows the impact of the pandemic on children
A report published by the Education Endowment Fund has revealed that repeated lockdowns in 2020 had a very damaging effect and the educational progress and social development of children in their first year of school. Finds from the report reveal that the only 59% of children were reaching the expected levels in communication and language,… Continue reading New report shows the impact of the pandemic on children
Department for Education to consult sector on ratios changes
Children and Familie’s Minister, Will Quince MP has announced his plans to consult with the sector with the idea to move towards a ratios system similar to that employed in Scotland, with a ratio of one to five instead of one to four for two-year-olds. The minister said over twitter, “we will be consulting on… Continue reading Department for Education to consult sector on ratios changes
Early years investment is essential for children with special needs
The national charity, Cerebra, alongside The Challenging Behaviour Foundation, Council for Disabled Children, University of Warwick and Mencap, have published a new report: Investing in Early Intervention. The report has examined the benefits in terms of health, wellbeing and quality of life that early intervention with targeted support can have on children with learning difficulties… Continue reading Early years investment is essential for children with special needs
Cost of delivering childcare to increase as inflation soars to 10% during 2022
As prices across the spectrum continue to increase, the Bank of England has raised interest rates in an attempt to reduce the upward trend in the cost of living. Interest rates have risen from 0.75% to 1%, their highest since 2009, the fourth time since the start of December that the rates have been risen.… Continue reading Cost of delivering childcare to increase as inflation soars to 10% during 2022
Celebrating Early Years; NDNA awards finalists revealed
National Day Nurseries Association has revealed the finalists for their much anticipated awards for 2022. Finalists and guests will come together on the 24th June at Chesford Grange Hotel in Kenilworth, Warwickshire, with celebrity guest Jenny Powell, presenting the awards. Purnima Tanuku, Chief Executive of NDNA, said: “We are extremely excited to welcome everyone back… Continue reading Celebrating Early Years; NDNA awards finalists revealed
PM wants to relax ratios to cut childcare costs
The Prime Minister Boris Johnson has revealed he wants to relax safety rules in an attempt to cut the rising cost of childcare as record inflation and the cost of living crisis continues to worsen. Current requirements set out the correct staff to child ratios at 1:3 in groups of children two years or younger,… Continue reading PM wants to relax ratios to cut childcare costs
Ofsted publish five year strategy
Ofsted has published its five year strategy which was recently trailed by HMCI Amanda Spielman at Nursery World Business Summit. Their new approach will have a strong focus on early years. The strategy sets out eight priorities: One of the priorities is ‘Children having the best start in life’ which is where the focus on… Continue reading Ofsted publish five year strategy
£55m of early years funding unspent
National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) has discovered that at least £55 million of early years funding was either left unspent or allocated against other budget pressures in 2020/21 by local authorities. A huge proportion of this sat in designated schools grant reserves. This was for the financial year during the worst of the Covid pandemic… Continue reading £55m of early years funding unspent
Healthy Body, Happy Me week: supporting children right from the start
“Right from the Start” is the theme of this year’s Healthy Body, Happy Me week, an annual March campaign run by National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) to support children’s health and wellbeing. The week highlights the essential building blocks for children’s development and focusses on a different area each day to ensure practitioners are equipped with… Continue reading Healthy Body, Happy Me week: supporting children right from the start
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)
Preparing for your Ofsted inspection nursery training
Course details This NDNA course will help you prepare for your Ofsted inspection under the Education Inspection Framework that came into force in September 2022. We discuss each of the four judgement areas in detail and consider the evidence inspectors will be looking for. Become more confident with new terms, such as cultural capital and… Continue reading Preparing for your Ofsted inspection nursery training
NDNATalk: England virtual member event
Our England member 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: 2 October 2024, 16:00-18:00Where: Virtual Speakers include More speakers to be announced soon With thanks to our Member Event sponsor
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