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: Wales
New children’s minister appointed for Wales
As a result of the First Minister Eluned Morgan’s reshuffle, Dawn Bowden MS has been appointed as the new Minister for Children and Social Care. Ms Bowden has been the Minister for Social Care since March 2024 but the children’s brief has now been added to her portfolio. Chief Executive Purnima Tanuku OBE NDNA Cymru… Continue reading New children’s minister appointed for Wales
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
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
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 October 2024: Little Stars Nursery September 2024: Highway Nursery March 2024: Lullabyz Nursery December 2022: Coleg y Cymoedd Day Nursery, Ystrad Mynach April 2024: Mrs Puddleducks March 2024: The Hollies Daycare Nursery December 2023:… Continue reading NDNA Cymru Early Years Case Studies & Best Practice
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
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
NDNA Cymru: Childcare Offer must keep pace with rising costs
National early years charity and membership association National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) Cymru welcomes the increase in the Childcare Offer but cautions that this must be reviewed regularly. The Welsh Government has announced an extra £6 million per year to increase the hourly rate for the Childcare Offer for Wales from £4.50 to £5 per… Continue reading NDNA Cymru: Childcare Offer must keep pace with rising costs
Traumatic Situations nursery training
This course will support you in considering the implications for behaviour and the effects of traumatic situations on children, families and practitioners. You’ll explore what we know about children and trauma, what could trigger it and what to do when immediate family members are involved. Course details Duration: Half day (3 hours)Who should attend: Suitable for all… Continue reading Traumatic Situations nursery training
Running a Successful Nursery Business nursery training
This course will help you gain greater knowledge, skills and awareness around the principles of running a successful nursery business, ensuring you can effectively maintain a viable and sustainable childcare business. Practitioners will explore local authority CSA, SWOT analysis vs PEST analysis, marketing, sustainability issues and your business plan. Course details Duration: Half dayWho should attend: Suitable… Continue reading Running a Successful Nursery Business nursery training
Motivation and employee engagement nursery training
Improve staff performance and morale by motivating and employee engagement. Course details Duration: Half day Who should attend: Owners, managers and room leadersLevel: Intermediate What will I learn? This course will support you to establish and embed a clear understanding of the importance of motivation and employee engagement. Key topics: Prices: Prices are based on up to 16 delegates. A… Continue reading Motivation and employee engagement nursery training