As we head deeper into summer and inch our way out of lockdown, the early years sector faces serious challenges on several fronts, not least the survival of many settings.
There seems to be no prospect of a substantial rescue package or transition funding for early years providers as the new school year looms. The latest announcement that pre-Covid headcounts will be used to set September funding allocations for local authorities does not amount to extra money, and it is not at all clear how councils will pass this on to settings.
With Ceeda research showing recent occupancy levels of around 48 per cent for nurseries and 35 per cent for childminders, and many not expecting a significant upturn in September, there will be troubled times ahead.
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