Regions: Scotland

Challenges with delivering 1140 hours: Scottish Government’s sustainable rates review

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The Scottish Government has published it’s Early learning and childcare: sustainable rates review today (Wednesday 20 December 2023) in which it acknowledges the challenges facing private and voluntary ELC providers. This report is a joint Scottish Government and COSLA evidence-based review of the approach to setting sustainable rates for childcare providers in the private, third… Continue reading Challenges with delivering 1140 hours: Scottish Government’s sustainable rates review

Most Scottish childcare providers getting raw deal from councils

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The vast majority of local authorities are paying private providers a smaller proportion of their Early Learning and Childcare (ELC) budgets for the hours of funded ELC they are delivering. Across Scotland, councils source an average of 28.3% of their funded hours from partner providers like private and voluntary nurseries or childminders. By contrast councils… Continue reading Most Scottish childcare providers getting raw deal from councils

Scotland’s Programme for Government: extending funded ELC offer

Scotland’s First Minister Humza Yousaf announced his plans for extending the funded childcare policy in his first programme for Government speech. He will accelerate the expansion of the two-year-old offer by starting to phase in families with two-year-olds from next year, focusing on tackling child poverty. This will be subject to families meeting specific criteria… Continue reading Scotland’s Programme for Government: extending funded ELC offer

Scottish ELC: only three Local Authorities are increasing funding in line with rising costs

According to an investigation by National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) Scotland, only two local authorities have reported they will be increasing their early learning and childcare entitlement funding at the same rate as providers’ rising costs. Childcare businesses in around a third of local authority areas begin the new academic year without knowing how much… Continue reading Scottish ELC: only three Local Authorities are increasing funding in line with rising costs

Staff turnover 29% in Scottish private nurseries

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New data published this week revealed that staff turnover in private nurseries in Scotland is shockingly high at 29% compared with 11% in the public sector. The stats, published by the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) in its Movement of Day Care of Children Staff Report 2023, backs up the evidence that NDNA Scotland has… Continue reading Staff turnover 29% in Scottish private nurseries

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

Introduction to Child Protection

NDNA Scotland training Gain the basic understanding of child protection and safeguarding requirements of all early years practitioners in Scotland. Duration: Half dayWho should attend: All practitioners (in Scotland) who are new to the early years or who need a refresher in child protection.  What will I learn? Key topics include:   Legislation relating to child protection in… Continue reading Introduction to Child Protection

How good is our Early Learning and Childcare nursery training

NDNA Scotland training Improve your self-evaluation through your understanding of the How Good is Our Early Learning and Childcare document. Duration: Half day Who should attend: This course is aimed at lead practitioners, managers and anyone with an interest in self-evaluation. Level: Intermediate What will I learn?This NDNA childcare course will help you develop your understanding of the ‘How Good… Continue reading How good is our Early Learning and Childcare nursery training

Curriculum for Excellence nursery training

NDNA Scotland training Discover best practice for implementing Curriculum for Excellence. Duration: Half day Who should attend: This course is aimed at all childcare practitioners, particularly those who wish to develop their knowledge of the Curriculum for Excellence.Level: Intermediate  What will I learn?This NDNA Scotland childcare course will develop knowledge and provide guidance on implementing the Curriculum for Excellence… Continue reading Curriculum for Excellence nursery training

Advanced Child Protection

NDNA Scotland training This NDNA Scotland course will give you the skills to perform your role as designated lead for child protection. Duration: Full day Who should attend: This course is aimed at lead practitioners, managers and child protection co-ordinators. Level: Intermediate What will I learn? Key topics: Examine your role as the designated child protection co-ordinator in the nursery… Continue reading Advanced Child Protection

NDNATalk Scotland – live

Leading and empowering the ELC sector Our Scotland 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: 18 March 2026Where: The National Piping Centre, 30 – 34 McPhater Street, Glasgow, G4 0HWPrice: FREE to attend Speakers include More speakers to… Continue reading NDNATalk Scotland – live

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

Reach for the stars – we launch NDNA Nursery Awards 2022!

National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) is excited to launch its 2022 Nursery Awards after a break of two years due to the pandemic – with some new and updated categories. NDNA’s Nursery Awards are the only ones to feature awards where parents have the opportunity to vote and show their appreciation for their child’s nursery… Continue reading Reach for the stars – we launch NDNA Nursery Awards 2022!

Many Scottish nurseries suffering real terms cut in ELC funding rates despite increased costs

Almost one in five Scottish local authorities will not be increasing their hourly early learning and childcare funding rates for three to five-year-old’s once the 1140 hours policy is mandatory from August. NDNA Scotland put out an FOI to all Scottish local authorities asking what they will be paying childcare providers for the 1140 hour… Continue reading Many Scottish nurseries suffering real terms cut in ELC funding rates despite increased costs

High employment rates will put stress on early years recruitment

The Office for National Statistics released its latest figures for the UK labour market this week. Employment is estimated at 75.4% – 1.1 percentage points lower than pre-pandemic levels, but 0.4 percentage points higher than last quarter. Unemployment figures came in at 4.3, a decrease of 0.5 percentage points and is only marginally higher then… Continue reading High employment rates will put stress on early years recruitment

NDNA Scotland publishes early learning and childcare election manifesto

This election represents a chance for the next Scottish Government to get it right for early learning and childcare (ELC) as National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) Scotland has published key issues for children, families and nurseries ahead of the May elections. NDNA Scotland’s manifesto, Getting ELC Right for Scotland’s Children, focuses on improving the funding… Continue reading NDNA Scotland publishes early learning and childcare election manifesto

Financial Sustainability Health Check reveals evidence on sector’s sustainability

The Scottish Government has published the findings of its Financial Sustainability Health Check of the Childcare Sector in Scotland. The purpose of the research was to collect evidence on the sustainability of the childcare sector, in particular in light of the impacts of COVID-19. Some of the findings included that providers have faced increased costs… Continue reading Financial Sustainability Health Check reveals evidence on sector’s sustainability

UNCRC for nurseries

In January 2024, the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) (Incorporation) (Scotland) Act 2024 gained Royal Assent, successfully incorporating the UNCRC into Scots Law. As a sector, Early Learning and Childcare (ELC) already take a child’s rights-based approach to working with children, however as time goes on the landscape of children’s… Continue reading UNCRC for nurseries