August 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: Nursery rhyme sacks
Support children to become more engaged in nursery rhymes
Why not create some rhyme sacks to help children be more engaged in nursery rhymes? This activity supports the development of children’s language and literacy skills, and creativity.
Your free early years top tips: Moving rooms at nursery and supporting babies' transitions
Our free top tips this month help you to support babies through transitions
To support young babies’ transitions you will need to carry out regular observations and help them emotionally throughout the process. Think about when babies/toddlers are ready to transition to the next room. How do you prepare them for this new adventure?
England early years policy updates
NDNA’s Purnima live on BBC Breakfast and BBC News
CEO Purnima Tanuku OBE appeared in a live outside broadcast at member nursery TicToc in Preston and on BBC News at One this week, talking about the challenges that nurseries have in delivering the expansion. Big thanks to Deborah Thompson, her team and parents at TicTots for hosting and appearing on the broadcast.
Purnima told journalists that places currently depend on a postcode lottery. The staffing crisis and lack of support for physical expansion mean that many providers do not have space to increase the number of places they can offer. They need support with recruitment and capital grant funding. NDNA’s latest investigation has found that only £5m of the £100 million Childcare Expansion Capital Grant has been distributed to providers.
Childcare Choices – no longer using word free
The Childcare Choices website no longer uses the word ‘free’ when referring to funded hours. The site has been refreshed ahead of the next phase of the expansion with information for parents and providers about ‘childcare support’. At NDNA we are aware that local authorities and government are still using the term ‘free’, and we will continue to campaign to change this.
Scotland Early Learning and Childcare policy updates
Two councils in Scotland still to decide on childcare funding rates
NDNA Scotland followed up an earlier investigation in May, which found that 12 councils still had not set out what funding rates they would be paying six weeks into the financial year. Ten of the original councils have now confirmed that providers will get a new rate. But Inverclyde and Midlothian haven’t yet set their rate for funded ELC yet, despite the fact that the new academic year has started.
Shared Inspection Framework update
This work is continuing to move forward and a timeline is in place for testing the framework. The pilot will launch from September and Jane Malcolm, National Operations Manager, NDNA Scotland, will attend a further meeting of the shared inspection framework reference group. Settings will not be inspected on this new framework until September 2025. We will keep you updated.
Wales childcare policy updates
New First Minister confirmed
On Wednesday 6 August Eluned Morgan was confirmed as Wales’ new First Minister – the first female First Minister in Wales’ history.
In a statement to the Senedd, following the vote to nominate the new First Minister, Eluned said:
“It is the greatest honour of my life to stand before you as the first woman to become the First Minister of Wales. As First Minister, I promise to champion voices and experiences, which have too often been sidelined and silenced”.
Childcare Works – Armed Forces Supporting Partners Fund
The Childcare Works programme has secured funding from the Armed Forces Covenant Trust, Supporting Partners Fund to deliver our 16-week childcare programme, starting the week commencing 21 October 2024.
We are looking to recruit partners of serving military personnel in Wrexham who are interested in pursuing a career in childcare.
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We are also looking for childcare settings in Wrexham that would be interested in providing a 12-week work placement for the Trainee Nursery Assistants on the programme
For further information contact: childcareworks@ndna.org.uk
Free early years factsheet of the month
Getting Ready for School: Developing Mathematical Confidence at Home
Mathematics plays an important role in children's development and helps them to make sense of the world around them. Download and share this free factsheet for parents, to help them support children's mathematical development at home.
Evie's early years are the start of her journey through life.
Together, Evie's parents and their nursery put her at the heart of everything they do, giving Evie the best possible chance to thrive in life.
We want parents to understand how nurseries can support children, like Evie, to build a foundation of positive, trusting relationships that give them an internal, central core of security and the confidence to explore life without fear.
We know that at our member nurseries, early years practitioners provide thought-provoking experiences, stimulating environments and deep and challenging conversations, all of which enable children to learn and take appropriate risks. We want to support parents who feel anxious about the thought of enrolling their child into an early years setting to see how nurseries provide so much more than care.
Together, Evie's parents and their nursery put her at the heart of everything they do, giving her the best possible chance to thrive in life.
Share our free parent guides, resources and Evie's journey with your prospective parents today.
Why should you invest in marketing your nursery
Top tips on developing and implementing a marketing strategy for your nursery
One of the purposes of NDNA membership is to support the sustainability of the early years sector, so providers can continue to provide high quality early education and care to young children. In this blog, we talk about why it is important for nurseries to invest in marketing, to attract parents and grow their brand within your local community.
Is your setting up to date with its safeguarding policy and procedures?
Early years providers must train all staff in understanding safeguarding policy and procedures, and ensure staff have up-to-date knowledge of safeguarding issues.
Our safeguarding and child protection online courses give you extra reassurance that you’re providing high-quality safeguarding measures and meeting all requirements.
Sponsored: Improve your wellbeing and flourish with a 24/7 GP
With Institute of Early Years Education membership, for just £5 per month, you can contact a GP at a time that suits you, including telephone and video consultations and electronic private prescriptions for ultimate convenience.
By prioritising your own wellbeing, you can put yourself in the best position to provide high-quality, best practice early education and care. We know your job can be physically and emotionally demanding. You can model the importance of self-care, physical and mental health to the children you support, in turn allowing them to flourish and thrive, just like you.
Just one of the benefits of the healthy lifestyles offer from the Institute of Early Years Education is that it incorporates a 24/7 GP, providing peace of mind about your personal physical and mental health. Contact a GP at a time that suits you, with telephone and video consultations and electronic private prescriptions for ultimate convenience. Membership starts at just £5 per month for an early years practitioner.