Sadiq Khan launches business support programme for London nurseries and childminders

It follows research commissioned by the Mayor and published earlier this year, which found that early years providers would struggle to survive the year.

Strong Early Years London will be delivered in partnership with the Early Years Alliance and research specialist CEEDA, and draws on recommendations from research by the organisations for the Mayor published earlier this year.

The programme aims to help nurseries and childminders access business support information, advice and guidance, and provide intensive support to those most in need with a focus on sustainability and growth.  

It will be a one-stop-shop on the London Business Hub for private, voluntary, and independent providers (PVIs) in London to access business support, including a series of new webinars and workshops. 

Providers identified as most at risk can also access ‘a personal triage service’ and more intensive business support until March 2022. 

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said, ‘London’s early years sector is a lifeline for so many families, providing their children with high-quality education and care and giving them the best possible start in life. But these nurseries and childminders have been hit hard by the pandemic, and many are facing a battle to survive.  

‘That’s why I’m proud to be working with the Early Years Alliance and CEEDA to give nurseries and childminders across the capital the support they need to continue their life-changing work. By investing in London’s early years education sector, I’m investing in our social and economic recovery, and in our future as a city, and urge the Government to do the same.’

Neil Leitch, Early Years Alliance chief executive, said, ‘With the combined impact of the COVID-19 crisis and years of Government underfunding placing a huge practical and financial strain on many early education and care providers, this investment into London’s early years sector is now both much-needed and hugely welcome. 

‘Since the start of the pandemic, early years businesses have been forced to fight for every bit of support they have received, and there is no doubt that this has taken its toll on the mental health and wellbeing of the early years workforce. That’s why we are so pleased to be working with the Mayor to deliver this innovative programme, which will empower early years business leaders to return their settings to a firmer footing as we move out of lockdown and towards recovery. 

‘We know that Covid-19 restrictions have had a significant impact on the learning, development and wellbeing of young children. It is vital, therefore, that early years provision in London can remain open for business and continue delivering the high-quality care and education that children and families need and deserve. The business support, training and tailored interventions that this programme offers will play a huge role in ensuring they are able to do so.’ 

The Mayor commissioned research last September to better understand the specific business support needs of London’s early years sector during the Covid-19 pandemic recovery period, and gaps within it.

More than two-thirds of nurseries (64 per cent) and more than half of childminders (56 per cent) said their services were at immediate risk of closure, or faced potential closure in the next 12 months – with those in disadvantaged areas more likely to class themselves as ‘struggling’. 

The programme builds on previous work to support the early years sector, including raising awareness and encouraging take-up of free early education for two-year olds, funding the opening of Early Years Hubs in some of London’s most deprived areas, investing in leadership and business skills through the Mayor’s Early Years Leaders Programme and launching Healthy Early Years initiatives across the city. The Mayor also continues to call on the Government to support the sector with long term funding.  

Providers can register for the following Strong Early Years London events:

• 9 June business connect session: introduction to digital marketing - register here
• 17 June business connect session: effective management through staff supervision and appraisal - register here
• 23 June business connect session: effective governance for charitable early years providers - register here
• 29 June webinar: preparing for your Ofsted inspection under the EYFS 2021 - register here
• 1 July business connect session: business health-check for childminders - register here