A new report looking at childcare availability and accessibility in nine European countries and Australia showed England as being the second worst, next to France. Scotland was in the top three after two Nordic countries and Wales was mid-table. According to the report by Victoria University in Melbourne, 45% of England is a “childcare desert”,… Continue reading Large parts of UK classed as “childcare deserts”
Regions: UK
Minister visits nursery to find out about Maths Champions initiative
Children, Families and Wellbeing Minister David Johnston OBE visited a nursery in Surbiton to find out about how the Maths Champions programme is supporting young children’s learning. The Minister took a tour of Advantage Day Nursery to see close up how early years Maths Champions are improving children’s outcomes in numeracy and language skills. The programme… Continue reading Minister visits nursery to find out about Maths Champions initiative
Nursery News cover competition
Want to feature on our Nursery News magazine front cover in spring 2025? We are looking for photo competition entries to feature on the front cover of Nursery News, your membership magazine, spring 2025 edition. This will be to promote and celebrate our Healthy Body Happy Me campaign which runs at the end of March… Continue reading Nursery News cover competition
Early years leaders honoured in King’s Birthday List
To mark the extraordinary contributions and services to Early Years Education three NDNA members have been recognised in the first King’s Birthday Honours List. Recognition has been given to the individuals for making an outstanding contribution to early years education, charities and their local communities. Purnima Tanuku OBE, Chief Executive of NDNA said: “A huge… Continue reading Early years leaders honoured in King’s Birthday List
Childcare payments for Universal Credit overhauled after NDNA campaign
As part of the Government’s biggest ever expansion to childcare provision, low-income families will be able to access increased childcare support from 28 June. The Department for Work and Pensions will raise the amount that parents across the UK can claim back monthly for their childcare costs on Universal Credit up to £951 for one… Continue reading Childcare payments for Universal Credit overhauled after NDNA campaign
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
Real Living Wage rise announced in the UK
The Real Living Wage has increased today to £9.90 in the UK and to £11.05 in London. Over 300,000 Living Wage Workers set for a pay boost of an extra 40p per hour and 20p per hour in London. The RLW is a voluntary rate set by the Living Wage Foundation and is the only… Continue reading Real Living Wage rise announced in the UK
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
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!
Fabulous NMT awards night celebrates sector
Congratulations to all the winners and finalists who celebrated at the NMT 19th National Nursery Awards 2021 on Saturday. NDNA’s CEO Purnima Tanuku OBE put on her finery to attend along with Director of Policy and Communications Jonathan Broadbery and Director of Business Development Cara Brundle who caught up with many NDNA members at the… Continue reading Fabulous NMT awards night celebrates sector
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
Coronavirus / COVID-19: nurseries and early years providers
See our guidance for nurseries and early years settings for managing coronavirus / COVID-19 We are keeping in touch with the relevant government departments and health bodies to make sure our COVID-19 advice for nurseries is up-to-date. Parents – please contact your nursery in the first instance for any queries regarding this situation. “NDNA has… Continue reading Coronavirus / COVID-19: nurseries and early years providers
Millie’s Mark celebrates 5 years this month
Millie’s Mark, the gold standard for nurseries in paediatric first aid, celebrates its fifth birthday this month after launching in 2016. The Mark is an accredited scheme for outstanding Paediatric First Aid practice, established by Dan and Joanne Thompson of Millie’s Trust following the death of their young daughter Millie. NDNA was awarded the contract… Continue reading Millie’s Mark celebrates 5 years this month
Easy as ABC – NDNA hosts our biggest virtual event
Early years phenomenon Alistair Bryce-Clegg gave hundreds of nursery owners, managers and practitioners an hour of inspiration and entertainment in a free event to thank the sector. The former nursery teacher mesmerised about 400 nursery practitioners with his real-life hilarious stories but also spoke passionately about how to give children the best learning opportunities while… Continue reading Easy as ABC – NDNA hosts our biggest virtual event