Overview
NDNA is a national charity representing children’s nurseries across England, Scotland and Wales, giving them information, training and support, so they can provide the best possible care to young children. NDNA is the voice of the sector, which totals 21,000 nurseries and employs 250,000 people.
The National Day Nurseries Annual Survey was conducted online in January and February of 2017.
In England there were: 788 responses; 62% were single-site nurseries and 38% in nursery groups of two or more sites. The majority of respondents (85%) were private sector nurseries, with 10% from the voluntary sector and 3% maintained sector. Over a third of respondents (38%) are in areas of disadvantage or serve a large proportion of children from disadvantaged families.
In Wales there were: 122 responses equivalent to 19% of all full day care settings in Wales. Single-site nurseries made up 79% of respondents and 21% were in nursery groups of two or more sites. Responses were received from nurseries covering all local authority areas in Wales, with the majority of respondents (96%) private sector nurseries, with 4% from the not-for-profit sector. Thirty-six per cent of respondents are in areas of disadvantage or serve a large proportion of children from disadvantaged families.
In Scotland there were: 221 responses, equivalent to 23% of all private and third sector nurseries. Single-site nurseries made up 63% of respondents and 37% were in nursery groups of two or more sites. Respondents covered all Scottish local authority areas with the majority of respondents (88%) private sector nurseries and 11% from the not-for-profit sector. Fifteen per cent of respondents are in areas of disadvantage or serve a large proportion of children from disadvantaged families.
Key challenges across these jurisductions include:
Increasing staff wages
Achieving a profit or surplus
Recruiting staff
Cost of business rates
Cost of utilities
-reprinted from National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA)