NDNA Scotland Brings Together Scottish Politicians to Explore Role of Nurseries

Feb. 2, 2011 - PRLog -- National Day Nurseries Association Scotland, 1 February 2011 – National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) Scotland today announced that it is hosting a cross-party round table debate tomorrow evening at the Scottish Parliament to explore the role of nurseries in the lives of families and address how the contribution of nurseries to family life can be maximised by Scotland’s political parties.

Entitled ‘Nurseries in Scotland: delivering for all?’, the event takes place on 2 February from 6pm until 8pm and will bring together representatives from the major political parties in Scotland. Speakers will include Karen Whitefield MSP, Children and Early Years, Labour, Adam Ingram MSP, Minister for Children and Early Years, Scottish National Party, and Hugh O’Donnell MSP, Education and Young People, Liberal Democrats. Attendees from key sector organisations will hear about how Scotland’s political parties view the role of nurseries in vital initiatives such as the delivery of Scotland’s new Child Poverty Strategy and how they think the sector can continue to develop services whilst maintaining affordability for parents. The event will also see MSPs being invited to share how their party would work with nurseries to achieve more for Scotland’s children.

NDNA Scotland member Rainbow Nursery will also reveal more about their experiences of supporting disadvantaged children and Jennifer Brown, a parent using Rainbow Nursery, will share more about how the nursery has supported her family and made a real difference to their lives during challenging times. NDNA Scotland will be using the discussions that take place to develop a ‘manifesto’ which will be distributed to politicians and policy makers in the run up to the Scottish elections.

Purnima Tanuku OBE, Chief Executive of NDNA comments: “Private and voluntary nurseries play a critical role in the lives of thousands of children across Scotland, and have a central role to play in delivery of objectives in initiatives ranging from the Early Years Framework to Scotland’s Child Poverty Strategy. This cross-party round table will bring together politicians, stakeholders and policy makers to explore how we can harness the power of these services and ensure nurseries are able to deliver the best outcomes for children. As part of this we will be exploring some of the key issues facing nurseries in Scotland and highlighting more about the positive work already being delivered by the sector. The discussions will help shape NDNA Scotland’s manifesto which we will be distributing in the run up to the election, and we are very much looking forward to welcoming key individuals from across Scotland’s early years sector to join the debate.”

For more information on NDNA please visit www.ndna.org.uk

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For more information, to arrange interviews or photographs please contact Hayley Wilson, Senior Press and Policy Officer on T: 01484 40 70 66 E: hayley.wilson@ndna.org.uk M: 07718 803 652



Photographs will be available from the event – please contact Hayley Wilson on the details above.



National Day Nurseries Association is a national charity representing children’s nurseries across the UK, giving them information, training and support, so they can provide the best possible care to young children. NDNA is the voice of the sector, an integral part of the lives of nearly one million children and their families.

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National Day Nurseries Association is a national charity representing children’s nurseries across the UK, giving them information, training and support, so they can provide the best possible care to young children.