Nursery World - Call for £88m in transition funding for early years as a third of nurseries in poor areas face closure

Coronavirus is having 'a devastating impact' on early years settings warns the Sutton Trust, which is calling for the Government to give nurseries, pre-schools and childminders the equivalent financial package as schools.

Up to a third of early years settings in disadvantaged areas face closure as a result of the coronavirus pandemic

The new analysis by the trust of polling carried out by the Early Years Alliance on the immediate impact of the coronavirus on the sector, finds that many nurseries – particularly those in disadvantaged areas - are facing permanent closures due to financial difficulties exacerbated by the crisis.

It warns that a third of nurseries in deprived areas face closure.

Chief executive of the Early Years Alliance Neil Leitch, said he was 'deeply concerned' about the findings from the analysis of the research.

Sector organisations have welcomed the 'important report' and teaching unions also backed the call for funding.

While the early years sector faced financial difficulties before the pandemic, widespread closures due to Covid-19 have meant that many providers – particularly those in disadvantaged areas - have relied on Government support to stay afloat, including through the furlough scheme and business rates holidays.

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