NDNA is working hard to highlight this issue nationally. NDNA has produced sample letters which you can use to tell parents about the issue and ask for their support. These can be adapted so that you can include more or less information as required. You can also support NDNA in a number of other ways:
- Invite your local MP to visit your nursery. This way you can discuss the issue with them – but remember you will need to balance this with highlighting that you are keen to offer free nursery education, but need it to be properly funded
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Talk to parents about the issue and encourage them to support you. As part of this, remember to reassure them that you will continue to provide high-quality care and early learning – there has been a great deal of coverage about free nursery education and parents may be anxious if they have read this. Click here to download the sample letter to explain more about this issue to parents and click here to download the template letter which you can ask them to send to your local MP
- Join NDNA's expert panel. This is your opportunity to share your views on a range of issues, as well as submit evidence about how challenges such as free nursery education affect you. Click here to find out more (please note that you will need to be logged in)
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Make sure you keep up-to-date with communication from NDNA, such as the email bulletin and Nursery news. This will share new opportunities for you to input to our campaign, for example, through surveys
- If you are not a member of NDNA then join to access a wealth of advice, support and help with free nursery education issues to keep you in the know and up-to-date with new developments
- Ensure you are involved in a local nursery network to make sure your voice is heard – click here to find out more
- Look here to see your local authority’s Section 251 statement. Every local authority is required to publish a Section 251 statement to inform the general public of its spending plans for education and children’s social care. The Section 251 statements at this link show plans for the 2011/12 financial year in every local authority area, including plans for free nursery education.
If you are an NDNA member, you can also join our media database so that you can be approached should suitable opportunities arise. We are often asked for real-life case studies and for nurseries that journalists can speak to, so if you would like to join this then email lindsay.garfitt@ndna.org.uk
Remember, we are always happy to provide further advice and support with your issues, click here to find out who your representative is or call our head office on 01484 40 70 70.
