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
Regions: Wales
PM announces support for businesses with energy bills
Prime Minister Liz Truss announced that she will put support in place from October to assist all businesses with their energy costs for six months. This will be “equivalent” to the support for householders, which will mean that a “typical household” will pay no more than £2,500 in energy bills for the next two years.… Continue reading PM announces support for businesses with energy bills
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
Sector returns to celebrate achievements in annual nursery awards!
Staff and practitioners made a triumphant return to NDNA’s annual awards to celebrate their achievements in glitzy ceremony at the Chesford Grange Hotel in Kenilworth. NDNA’s annual conference returned during the day, bringing members and sector experts together before finalists and their families gathered in anticipation at the awards dinner. The biggest award of the… Continue reading Sector returns to celebrate achievements in annual nursery awards!
Less than 1/5 of parents recognise unique importance of age 0-5
The Royal Foundation has unveiled its newest findings of research into the public perceptions of early childhood development. The Duchess of Cambridge’s Foundation, which aims to drive awareness of and action on the extraordinary impact of the early years, published the research based on a survey of 4,682 adults and over a 1,000 interviews with… Continue reading Less than 1/5 of parents recognise unique importance of age 0-5
Urgent funding boost for childcare sectors is needed as costs rise £2000 a year since 2010
New analysis published by the Trades Union Congress on Monday reveal that the cost of childcare for children under two has drastically increased by more than £2000 (£185 per month )in the last decade since the Conservatives took office. Parents saw an average annual nursery bill for a child under two of £4,992 in 2010.… Continue reading Urgent funding boost for childcare sectors is needed as costs rise £2000 a year since 2010
TAX FREE CHILDCARE: Less than half of eligible families accessing support
HMRC have published the statistics on the usage of their Tax Free Childcare offer for the 2021/22 tax year. The Government scheme offers up to £2,000 a year per child towards childcare costs, including nursery provision. The latest statistics show that only around half of the estimated 1.3 million eligible families are accessing the support… Continue reading TAX FREE CHILDCARE: Less than half of eligible families accessing support
Celebrating Early Years; NDNA awards finalists revealed
National Day Nurseries Association has revealed the finalists for their much anticipated awards for 2022. Finalists and guests will come together on the 24th June at Chesford Grange Hotel in Kenilworth, Warwickshire, with celebrity guest Jenny Powell, presenting the awards. Purnima Tanuku, Chief Executive of NDNA, said: “We are extremely excited to welcome everyone back… Continue reading Celebrating Early Years; NDNA awards finalists revealed
Healthy Body, Happy Me week: supporting children right from the start
“Right from the Start” is the theme of this year’s Healthy Body, Happy Me week, an annual March campaign run by National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) to support children’s health and wellbeing. The week highlights the essential building blocks for children’s development and focusses on a different area each day to ensure practitioners are equipped with… Continue reading Healthy Body, Happy Me week: supporting children right from the start
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
Introduction to recruitment and selection nursery training
Safer practice in recruitment means thinking about the welfare of the children at every stage. Course details Duration: Half day Who should attend: Owners/ ManagersLevel: Introductory What will I learn? This introductory course will provide safely recruit quality and committed staff to your setting, following correct processes. Key topics: Prices: Prices are based on up to 16 delegates. A small… Continue reading Introduction to recruitment and selection nursery training
NDNATalk: Wales virtual event
Our Wales event provides you with the latest sector updates and support in policy and practice from the experts. And best of all? It’s free to members. When: 16 October 2024, 13:00-15:00Where: Virtual Speakers include More speakers to be announced soon With thanks to our Member Event sponsor
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
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!
Funded places for all two-year-olds in Wales
A deal between the Welsh Labour Government and Plaid Cymru in the Senedd will mean that a programme of work – including expanding “free” childcare to all two-year-olds – will take place. NDNA Cymru is clear that any expansion of its funded childcare programme must be properly costed and keep track of rising delivery costs.… Continue reading Funded places for all two-year-olds in Wales
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
NDNA Cymru publishes early years and childcare election manifesto
This election represents a chance for the next Welsh Government to get it right for early years and childcare as National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) Cymru has published key issues for children, families and nurseries ahead of the May elections. NDNA Cymru’s manifesto, Getting it Right for Early Years and Childcare, focuses on improving the… Continue reading NDNA Cymru publishes early years and childcare election manifesto