The Welsh Senedd has published a comprehensive report: Their Future: Our Priority? as a follow up inquiry into childcare provision in Wales. The report is a result of extensive interviews and evidence sessions and is a follow up to the Equality and Social Justice Committee’s January 2022 report: Minding the future – the childcare barrier… Continue reading New wide-ranging childcare report published for Wales
Regions: Wales
Early years minister replaced in Wales following cabinet resignations
Following the resignation of several cabinet secretaries, First Minister Vaughan Gething who will remain in post until a successor can be found, has announced a mini reshuffle. The resignations pushed the First Minister to announced that he would be standing down from the role just four months after being voted in. A leadership contest will… Continue reading Early years minister replaced in Wales following cabinet resignations
Welsh parties focus on supporting children and families
With less than two weeks to go to the upcoming general election, NDNA Cymru takes a look at the Welsh manifestos to see what focus is being given to early education and care. NDNA has looked at policies from (in alphabetical order) Plaid Cymru, Welsh Conservatives, Welsh Labour and Welsh Liberal Democrats. Here’s a round-up… Continue reading Welsh parties focus on supporting children and families
New Welsh Minister announced for Mental Health and Early Years
First Minister Vaughan Gething has today announced his new Welsh Government Cabinet which includes the appointment of a Minister for Mental Health and Early Years. Jayne Bryant MS, is announced as the Minister for Mental Health & Early Years and is part of the ministerial team ‘for a Wales full of optimism, ambition and unity.’… Continue reading New Welsh Minister announced for Mental Health and Early Years
Wales Childcare Crisis: Nine in ten nurseries expect to make a loss or break even
NDNA Cymru’s recent survey reveals that rising costs are continuing to put significant pressure on the sustainability of the early years sector in Wales. National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) Cymru surveyed respondents across 102 private, voluntary and independent nurseries and discovered that 91% expect to make a loss or just break-even. Government funding for the… Continue reading Wales Childcare Crisis: Nine in ten nurseries expect to make a loss or break even
Gweinidog yn croesawu achrediad Millie Marc i Gymru
Ymwelodd Julie Morgan AS, y Dirprwy Weinidog dros Wasanaethau Cymdeithasol â’r feithrinfa gyntaf yng Nghymru i ennill achrediad Millie Marc , gyda’r gobaith y bydd mwy o leoliadau yng Nghymru yn ystyried gweithio tuag at yr achrediad gwerthfawr hwn. Millie Marc yw’r safon aur mewn cymorth cyntaf pediatrig ar gyfer darparwyr gofal plant. Mae Cymdeithas… Continue reading Gweinidog yn croesawu achrediad Millie Marc i Gymru
Childcare Works project brings new talent into the early years sector
Childcare Works is an NDNA Cymru led project and funded by external sources to support and create job opportunities in the early years sector. Since 2019 the Childcare Works project has supported and mentored 189 individuals, 106 of which have experienced positive employment outcomes. The project is currently being funded by The Moondance Foundation and… Continue reading Childcare Works project brings new talent into the early years sector
Flying Start: extension to two-year-olds
In December 2021 Welsh Government signed a cooperation agreement with Plaid Cymru which included a commitment to extend Flying Start free childcare to all two-year-olds. This expansion of funded childcare is to be achieved through an expansion of the Flying Start programme that is already supporting two-year-olds from disadvantaged areas. It is essential that all… Continue reading Flying Start: extension to two-year-olds
National Minimum Standards for Regulated Childcare
The National Minimum Standards for Regulated Childcare (NMS) are designed to assist providers and settings to meet the regulations that are relevant to the service they provide. Registered persons must have regard to the standards. The Welsh Government updated the standards in November 2023. Download The National Minimum Standards for Regulated Childcare for Children Up… Continue reading National Minimum Standards for Regulated Childcare
Meet the Minister at NDNA’s Annual Nursery Conference
Children, Families and Wellbeing Minister Claire Coutinho will be attending National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA)’s conference in June. The MP for East Surrey, whose brief includes early years and childcare, will be delivering her keynote speech at the Shaping the Future of Childcare: Making the First Five Years Count conference on Friday 9 June. Delegates… Continue reading Meet the Minister at NDNA’s Annual Nursery Conference
Wales nursery crisis: 88% expect to make a loss or break even
Rising costs are putting increasing pressure on private and voluntary nurseries in Wales as National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) Cymru reveals its latest survey findings. With staffing costs increasing in the average nursery by 15% from April, only 11.5% of nurseries expect to make any form of surplus in the coming year. The vast majority… Continue reading Wales nursery crisis: 88% expect to make a loss or break even
Women 7 times more likely to be out of work due to caring commitments: TUC finds
The analysis of official statistics – published at the annual Trades Union Congress women’s conference (8 March) – finds that more than 1.46 million women are unable to work alongside their family commitments, compared to around 230,000 men. New TUC analysis finds more than 1.46 million women are kept out of the labour market because… Continue reading Women 7 times more likely to be out of work due to caring commitments: TUC finds
“Beat the Budget” tickets for NDNA’s Annual Nursery Conference
Today (17 Jan) National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) launches its annual national nursery conference with reduced price tickets. A total of 50 cheaper “Beat the Budget” tickets for the Shaping the Future of Childcare: Making the First Five Years Count conference on Friday 9 June are available on a first come first served basis. Half… Continue reading “Beat the Budget” tickets for NDNA’s Annual Nursery Conference
NDNA launches cost of delivery survey for nurseries
NDNA is asking the nursery and early years sector across England, Scotland and Wales to fill in a short survey asking key questions to see the impact of rising costs on childcare businesses and charities. As providers face a number of pressures the design of the survey has been cut down to minimise the number… Continue reading NDNA launches cost of delivery survey for nurseries
NDNA Cymru Early Years Case Studies & Best Practice
Read NDNA Cymru early years case studies showcasing our projects and best practice happening at nurseries across Wales. Camau case studies April 2024: Mrs Puddleducks March 2024: Lullabyz Nursery December 2022: Coleg y Cymoedd Day Nursery, Ystrad Mynach March 2024: The Hollies Daycare Nursery December 2023: Rydal Penrhos Childcare Works case studies May 2024: Siobhan… Continue reading NDNA Cymru Early Years Case Studies & Best Practice
Childcare Works bring vital new staff into the sector
National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) Cymru’s Childcare Works programme continues to bring vital new recruits into the into the Childcare, Early Years and Play sector. The project, funded by the European Social Fund through Welsh Government and managed by Wales Council for Voluntary Action, is aimed at recruiting individuals, over the age of 25, not… Continue reading Childcare Works bring vital new staff into the sector
Autumn Statement: no additional support for nursery sector
Chancellor Jeremy Hunt gave his Autumn Statement in Parliament today announcing no sector-specific support for nursery businesses. From April 2023, the National Living Wage is set to rise again by 9.7%, with minimum wage for 21 and 22 year olds increasing by 10.9%. The education budget will increase by £2.3bn but there was no mention… Continue reading Autumn Statement: no additional support for nursery sector
Childcare Works case study: Cylch Meithrin Penderyn
My name is Naomi, and I am employed with National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) as a Trainee Nursery Assistant on the NDNA Cymru’s Childcare Works project. NDNA Cymru’s Childcare Works West Wales & the Valleys 25+ project is a supported employment programme funded by European Social Fund, supported by European Social Fund through Welsh Government… Continue reading Childcare Works case study: Cylch Meithrin Penderyn
Curriculum for Wales: Five Developmental Pathways
The five developmental pathways in the Curriculum for Wales, are fundamental to the development of all children within the early years. Practitioners can use them to ensure children are supported to make progress at their own pace and in their preferred learning environment. This is important for all children, but particularly so for younger children… Continue reading Curriculum for Wales: Five Developmental Pathways
Childcare businesses must be classed as vulnerable
The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy headed by the new Secretary of State Jacob Rees-Mogg have announced a package of support for businesses, households and the public sector to alleviate the pressure of energy bills. The package has revealed a new Government Energy Bill Relief Scheme for non-domestic customers which will provide a… Continue reading Childcare businesses must be classed as vulnerable