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

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

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

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

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 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

Queen’s Funeral and Bank Holiday 19 September – Q&A for nurseries

The Government announced the date of Queen Elizabeth’s funeral will be Monday 19 September and will be a Bank Holiday. Today the Department for Education has issued guidance for educational settings regarding the closure. Scottish Government issued this guidance. Welsh Government has said opening is down to the discretion of individual settings. It’s vital your… Continue reading Queen’s Funeral and Bank Holiday 19 September – Q&A for nurseries