I’m delighted to re-join National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) as the director of Business Development after working as an interim director here eight years ago. It’s incredibly exciting to be back in the world of early education and childcare at such a crucial time for children’s educational recovery and providers’ sustainability.
I know how passionate nurseries are and the amazing work that our members do, under the most challenging of circumstances. By constantly striving to be better, nurseries give children the best possible start in life and provide essential support to parents. I’m looking forward to bringing my experience – supporting a range of businesses and entrepreneurs through my work in the corporate, charitable and public sectors – to the early years and I’m excited for the opportunity to re-connect with members.
At NDNA, we are all about giving nurseries the reassuring, expert advice and time-saving resources that allow them to do what they do best; educating and caring for children. Throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, when early years providers were doing so much for children and families, NDNA was there with the latest information and guidance, which was sometimes changing on a daily basis.
Our campaigning gives the sector a stronger, united voice and influence on issues that are crucial to children, families and childcare settings. For instance, I know there were recruitment and retention issues in the sector even before the pandemic hit, which are now creating real pressure for providers. We have done extensive research – with the Education Policy Institute – to amplify these issues, gathering members’ direct experiences into detailed and credible data, which then shape the discussions we have with policy makers.
The pandemic has meant that we have all needed to find new ways of working, including NDNA. I’ve been so impressed by the way the team has adapted, rapidly reshaping training through the introduction of the Live Virtual Classroom, which continues to provide a more convenient and cost effective way for people to access the latest training, alongside our more traditional face to face offer.
We are always looking at ways to improve delivery of services and information, including an exciting project to improve and streamline our website. We know that in pressured times, our members need to have the right support at their fingertips. Last year we helped to save members money by delivering 33 free events and webinars, reaching over 2,500 attendees with a wide range of essential topics.
With decisions coming up on Governments’ spending plans across England, Scotland and Wales we will be working flat out as we know so many issues come back to insufficient funding rates.
At the same time, my team and I will continue to find ways to better support our members, by securing membership benefits that enable nurseries to make savings on the things they need, while ensuring that providers can access the right support in a way that suits them.
I am looking forward to doing things a little bit differently and I am really excited about our upcoming event that we have planned with Alistair Bryce-Clegg. This will be a chance for members to sit down with a cup of tea, take some time for themselves and enjoy a really fun and interesting session with one of the most inspiring speakers around.
It has been a tough period for everyone and I am absolutely committed to ensuring that NDNA continues to provide the best service and support to our members and the wider sector.