Regions: Wales

Early Childhood Play Learning and Care and Curriculum for Wales – 1:1 support for members

NDNA Cymru members can also contact NDNA Cymru’s Early Years Education Officer for specific queries and individual support with Early Childhood Play, Learning and Care (ECPLC) and the Curriculum for Wales. A message from Hayley:   “The last few years have been an exciting one for me. Not only have we seen the publication of curriculum… Continue reading Early Childhood Play Learning and Care and Curriculum for Wales – 1:1 support for members

NDNA Cymru training and events

NDNA Cymru strive to support practitioners and settings with their ongoing professional development. Webinars, training and events to keep you informed and support you in improving your practice.   Where speakers share their knowledge and expertise on key topics in relation to ECPLC, curriculum and assessment.  Upcoming training, webinars and events can be viewed and booked on… Continue reading NDNA Cymru training and events

Anti-racist practice in Wales

Here you will find resources to support practitioners and settings with introducing, understanding and embedding anti-racist practice.  Welsh Government has a vision of creating a ‘More Equal Wales’, where Wales is a country that is proudly anti-racist and where everyone is treated as an equal citizen.  NDNA Cymru aims to support our members to provide… Continue reading Anti-racist practice in Wales

Funding rate for Wales for three and four year olds to increase to £6.40

Photo of various stacks and rows of coins with FUNDING concept word imprinted on metal surface

The Welsh Government has announced today that the funding rate for three and four-year-olds across the country will increase by an additional 40p from April. In December the rate review agreed a new funding rate for childcare places of £6 from April 2025. But following negotiations with Welsh Liberal Democrat Leader, MS Jane Dodds, it… Continue reading Funding rate for Wales for three and four year olds to increase to £6.40

Wales funding rates revealed but 20% increase will not cover all costs

The Welsh Government has published the new funding rates for the Childcare Offer today (11 December) following the Budget. This rate has been £5 an hour per child since 2022 but has only just been reviewed after years of lobbying by NDNA Cymru. The new rate will rise from April 2025 by £1 to £6… Continue reading Wales funding rates revealed but 20% increase will not cover all costs

Welsh Government commits to reviewing funding rate annually 

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Following years of lobbying from NDNA and other early years organisations, the Welsh Government announced yesterday (Wednesday 20 November) that they will review the Childcare Offer for Wales on an annual basis. The Childcare Offer providers up to 30 hours of government-funded early education and childcare per week during 48 weeks of the year for… Continue reading Welsh Government commits to reviewing funding rate annually 

Nursery sector reaction to Minister’s small business rates relief announcement

Low mortgage rate encouraged investment in the housing market, with arrows pointing to increased money flow and business growth in finance and loans. rate, investment, money, mortgage, house.

Making small business rates relief a permanent fixture for registered childcare premises across Wales will make a big difference to their sustainability, says National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) Cymru. Minister for Children and Social Care Dawn Bowden made the announcement that they will be making the 100% small business rates relief for registered childcare premises permanent on… Continue reading Nursery sector reaction to Minister’s small business rates relief announcement

Prosiect Gofal Plant ar Waith

Ffeindiwch allan popeth rydych angen gwybod am fod yn sefydliad lleoliad gwaith i brosiect gwaith gofal plant NDNA Cymru a’r manteision i chi’n cael cyfranogwr. Os ydych yn sefydliad lleoliad gwaith i brosiect gwaith gofal plant NDNA Cymru, byddwch yn cefnogi’r gweithle gofal plant a’r blynyddoedd cynnar yng Nghymru trwy alluogi unigolion i dderbyn profiad… Continue reading Prosiect Gofal Plant ar Waith

Large parts of UK classed as “childcare deserts”

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”

Independent review of joint inspection arrangements

An independent review has been carried out by the Learning Partnership  into the way joint inspections between Care Inspectorate Wales and Estyn work for the non-maintained sector in Wales. In the five years since the introduction of joint inspections, there have been a lot of changes within the sector (Curriculum for Wales, the ALN Act,… Continue reading Independent review of joint inspection arrangements

New wide-ranging childcare report published for Wales

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

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

Kids playing on floor with developmental toys in kindergarten. Children have fun in nursery or daycare. Babies with teacher in creche

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