Only 17 per cent of working families with dependent children now work exclusively standard hours, according to the Daycare Trust. Meanwhile, shift working is on the increase. As a result, some nurseries have identified a gap in the market for 24-hour care.
However, extending traditional nursery hours to cover care in the evening and overnight can involve a reassessment of staffing and environment. Children may be particularly anxious about spending the night away from home and parents will be concerned that their child feels settled and secure. Providing a homely space and mirroring the home routine is therefore vital.
There is also the issue of finding staff who are prepared to work nights - when they most likely have their own family commitments - and financing higher rates of pay.
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