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
Regions: Scotland
UNCRC Incorporation Toolkit for members
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 Incorporation Toolkit for members
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
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: 19 March 2025Where: Royal Scots Club, Edinburgh Speakers include More speakers to be announced soon
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
NDNA Scotland: early learning and childcare support
Welcome to NDNA Scotland. In Scotland we have a thriving membership with active member networks in local authority areas across the country, as well as an office in Glasgow with a dedicated staff to support Scottish nursery members. We are also a strategic partner to the Scottish Government, supporting policy development and the implementation of… Continue reading NDNA Scotland: early learning and childcare support
NDNA Scotland Policy Advisory Board
NDNA Scotland Policy Advisory Board advises the Strategic Board on policy issues. It is made up national and regional chairs and additional members with specific areas of expertise. East and Midlothian Network Chair – Fabrina Tavasolian Edinburgh Network Chair – Sandy Towers Sandy is the nursery director of a setting located in a suburb of… Continue reading NDNA Scotland Policy Advisory Board
NDNA Policy Advisory Board
NDNA’s Policy Advisory Board advises the Strategic Board on policy issues. It is made up of all members of the Strategic Board and additional members with specific areas of expertise. The Policy Advisory Board is made up of NDNA Trustees plus the following people:
Named Person and Child’s Plan provisions in Parts 4 and 5 of the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014
As you may be aware, the commencement of the Named Person and Child’s Plan provisions in Parts 4 and 5 of the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014 is scheduled for 31 August 2016. A judicial review has been brought against the Named Person and the information sharing provisions of the Act, with a… Continue reading Named Person and Child’s Plan provisions in Parts 4 and 5 of the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014
UNCRC Incorporation delayed by Supreme Court judgement
Today the UK Supreme Court ruled that four aspects of the UNCRC (Incorporation) (Scotland) Bill will need to be re-considered by the Scottish Parliament. NDNA Scotland has joined with many voices across Scotland calling for this Bill to be given priority by the Scottish Government so children’s rights will be given the protection of the… Continue reading UNCRC Incorporation delayed by Supreme Court judgement