March 2024: The latest early years sector news
National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA)
Brighter thinking for early years / Meddwl disglair ar gyfer y blynyddoedd cynnar
Your free early years activity: Celebrating families
Learn about the world around us, our community and our families and encourage children to communicate and share experiences with this activity.
Grab your scrap books, small world resources, books and technology to explore how you can celebrate the families of children in your settings. Encourage children to identify different families around the world by asking questions such as ‘where do they live?’, ‘what do they wear?’ and ‘where do the children go to school?’ Children may wish to present their work to you and tell you what they have found out which is a great skill to develop!
Your free early years top tips: Creating family picnics
Picnics are a great social event that you can enjoy with the children and families at your setting.
Involving parents in their child’s learning is essential to supporting good outcomes for children so think about engaging with parents to plan a fun family event. Our top tips are full of ideas to ensure your family picnic event is a thriving success for involved, strengthening your setting and family relationships. NDNA’s online training, Home Learning Environment, and publication, Home Learning, can further support your early years setting.
England policy update
Coram report shows growing childcare shortages while costs rise by 7%.
The annual Coram survey has revealed that the availability of childcare places is decreasing, and a part-time nursery places for a children under two now cost an average of ￡158 per week, up 7% on 2023. Purnima Tanuku, CEO said: “Our provider survey found a similar parental fee increase, which puts a lot of pressure on families, but providers report that their staffing bill alone will increase by an average of 14% from April.”
Scotland policy update
Seven out of ten nurseries in Scotland say they are underfunded.
NDNA Scotland’s latest nursery sustainability survey found that funding for three and four-year-olds did not cover the costs for 70% of nurseries. There is an average shortfall around ￡1.25 per hour, which equates to an annual loss per child of ￡1,425.00. For eligible two-year-old places, 74% of nurseries are making a loss, with the average shortfall of ￡1.62 per hour or ￡1,846.80 across the year.
Wales policy update
领英推荐
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 with 91% expecting to make a loss or just break-even. CEO, Purnima Tanuku said: "It really is time for the Welsh Government to commit to reviewing their funding rates to ensure sustainability for the sector."
British Values in Practice factsheet
Your free factsheet of the month!
There are four fundamental British Values that early years providers must support and develop across their practice to meet the statutory requirements in the Prevent Duty guidance. Find out more about supporting British Values at your setting, with our free factsheet this month.
Nursery recruitment
Top tips on the planning process for recruiting a member of staff.
Recruiting and retaining skilled, knowledgeable and enthusiastic staff is undoubtedly the most important factor influencing the quality of early years provision. But the recruitment crisis means that a successful, smooth and safe recruitment process is more important than ever.
We've collated some top tips to help you recruit the right person. You can also find free nursery recruitment resources for NDNA members.
Is your setting ready for a Physical Activity and Nutrition Coordinator (PANCo)?
Almost 1 in 4 children are already obese by the time they start school.
We know early years settings can become an agent of change for children's health and well-being
NDNA's PANCo qualification ensures whole settings reinforce the value of physical activity, healthy eating and emotional well-being in everything they do with our Start Life Well assessment.
Our course is suitable for early years professionals, team leaders or managers working in early years settings and will support an individual to develop children's resilience and independence, make positive behaviour changes and be a positive role model for healthy behaviours.
Take the FREE 'Get Up to Speed' course to identify if NDNA's internationally recognised level 4 award can support your setting in becoming an agent of change for children's health and well-being.