Regions: England

Millions in early years funding not reaching providers to support families

Three quarters of local education authorities (LEAs) in England have reported underspending their Government funding for childcare places, another investigation by National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) reveals. Despite raising this issue a year ago with the Treasury and the Department for Education, with promises from the Government to look into the issue, millions of pounds… Continue reading Millions in early years funding not reaching providers to support families

NDNA sends joint letter to Chancellor ahead of Budget

NDNA has joined other  organisations, parent bodies and unions, including Pacey, UNISON, Pregnant then Screwed and others in writing a joint letter to the Chancellor Rishi Sunak ahead of today’s Budget announcement. The letter, which was featured in an article in The Mirror, calls on the Chancellor to guarantee funding for measures to tackle child poverty… Continue reading NDNA sends joint letter to Chancellor ahead of Budget

Ministers confirm year on year funding increases at Spending Review

The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi Sunak, has delivered the Autumn Budget and Spending Review today (27 October). Children’s Minister Will Quince has since confirmed that funding will increase by an additional £160m in 2022-23, £180m in 2023-24 and £170m in 2024-25 for childcare providers. The key announcements from the Chancellor’s speech for early years… Continue reading Ministers confirm year on year funding increases at Spending Review

Budget: No mention of funding to support early years delivery

The Chancellor Rishi Sunak is expected to make announcements to support children and families in the upcoming Budget and Spending Review on Wednesday.   Announcements will include a £500 million investment package to transform support for families. This will address the recommendations of the Leadsom Review into Early Years Healthy Development. The £500m package includes:… Continue reading Budget: No mention of funding to support early years delivery

Yet more councils report early years underspends – final figures show £62m

National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) has updated its report into underspend funding for three and four-year old childcare places by local education authorities (LEAs) in England as all but five councils have now replied. The total of unspent money has increased from £55.5 million to £62 million for 2019/20, with a higher proportion of LEAs… Continue reading Yet more councils report early years underspends – final figures show £62m

Closures of nurseries increase as impact of pandemic takes hold

National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) has published its report Nurseries and the impact of closures in the first year of the pandemic which revealed that the number of nursery closures in England has increased by 35% during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic compared to the same period the previous year. Throughout the pandemic, nurseries… Continue reading Closures of nurseries increase as impact of pandemic takes hold

Increasing childcare funding rate would give economic gains – new report

A report by the Centre for Progressive Policy “Women in the Labour Market” shows that lack of affordable and accessible childcare is a barrier to maternal employment, resulting in billions in lost earnings. Fixing childcare issues – which includes increasing the funding rate to cover providers’ costs – would give economic gains in both the… Continue reading Increasing childcare funding rate would give economic gains – new report

Updates to Development Matters

The Department for Education (DfE) has published a revised version of Development Matters following feedback on the original version first published in September 2020.  Please note that the DfE have said the changes to the content are minor and you will not need to alter any planning based on the previous (September 2020) version. The changes include:… Continue reading Updates to Development Matters

Start building futures

This is a crucial period for nurseries, parents and children as the Government in England is looking at its spending plans for the next three years. Children born now will have their entire early education shaped by the decisions made this autumn.  We want early education and childcare to get the funding needed to be… Continue reading Start building futures

Early Years Inspection Handbook & Ofsted Inspection Framework 2019 – key changes for nurseries

Ofsted updated its Education Inspection Framework and Early Years Inspection Handbook in September 2019, find out the key changes for early years here. Early Years Inspection Handbook (2019) The new judgement areas and grade descriptors have less focus on data and more focus on: You can book a place at one of our Preparing for your… Continue reading Early Years Inspection Handbook & Ofsted Inspection Framework 2019 – key changes for nurseries

Ofsted nursery inspections guidance

Find out what Ofsted means to your early years setting and Ofsted nursery inspections. What is Ofsted? Ofsted is the Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills. Ofsted’s role is to inspect and regulate England-based services that care for children and young people as well as services providing education and skills for learners of… Continue reading Ofsted nursery inspections guidance

NDNA in England

Supporting nurseries across England to provide high-quality, sustainable childcare From our head office in West Yorkshire we provide day nurseries and the early years sector in England with campaigning, support, training and advice. NDNA events in England Every year our prestigious national conference, exhibition and awards ceremony take place, where members hear the latest speakers on topical issues… Continue reading NDNA in England

EYFS Your Questions answered

Here, we answer your questions on the new EYFS. Suitable People Q: The EYFS now states that criminal records check (or checks if more than one country) should also be made for anyone who has lived or worked abroad, what does this mean?A: Registered providers must now obtain an additional criminal record check (or checks if more… Continue reading EYFS Your Questions answered

Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Statutory Framework reforms 2021

See information about the EYFS Statutory Framework to be used from 1 September 2021 below.  This is the revised and final EYFS Framework that all registered nurseries, childminders, schools and pre-schools in England will follow from 1 September 2021. Access our ‘Revised EYFS’ live virtual classroom training here.Early years settings must continue to follow the… Continue reading Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Statutory Framework reforms 2021

Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) 2023 – what you need to know

The statutory framework for the EYFS effective from 4 September 2023 has now been published. This framework is mandatory for all early years providers in England. Find out more here.There are three points in the latest updates: NDNA support Has the format of Ofsted inspections changed?  Ofsted updated their guidance in September and it is available… Continue reading Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) 2023 – what you need to know

Early years recruitment costs must be reflected in funding rates

Higher employment figures and higher wages will exacerbate the early years sector’s already challenging recruitment and retention issues, says NDNA. A report by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) released this week (12 October) gives a picture of numbers of employees returning to pre-pandemic levels with unemployment down and vacancies soaring: Number of payroll employees returned… Continue reading Early years recruitment costs must be reflected in funding rates

Comparison table: Early Years Foundation Stage Framework 2023/24

Comparison of changes to the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) 2024 Framework against the 2023 guidance, exclusively for NDNA members. This EYFS comparison table is for nursery managers and practitioners to understand the key changes between the Early Years Foundation Stage Statutory Framework 2024 and the Early Years Foundation Stage 2023.

LGA calls for significant funding rates increase

In its Spending Review submission, the Local Government Association (LGA) calls for a “significant increase in funding rates for early entitlements in all settings to enable the early years sector to reduce the disadvantage gap and allow all children the opportunity of the best possible start.”  The submission ahead of the Government’s Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR), due… Continue reading LGA calls for significant funding rates increase