Amid struggles with rising costs, workforce shortages, and balancing profitability with providing quality care and education for children, there are rising concerns among us and other nursery operators that certain stakeholders are putting their own interests ahead of working together, which is almost certainly leading to increasing division.
During a recent meeting with a local authority, we were were met with quite a hostile reception. It was very much a one-way dialogue, far from a supportive or collaborative conversation and there was an unwillingness to find a workable and agreeable solution to operational challenges, all brought about by workforce challenges. Rather than seek to understand the difficulties, responses from opposite the virtual table were either ‘Computer says no’ or adopting a ‘Tell and do’ stance, by setting their own expectations, ignoring the context of how and why we are in this situation. This was accompanied by an inability or lack of desire to listen, and more worryingly a complete absence of empathy.
While it is important to note that this is not our experience of all local authorities, such an approach makes working together toward a common goal incredibly difficult and this is unfortunately becoming an all-too-common story. Where is the consistency?
To tackle this, it is more crucial now than ever that all stakeholders enter discussions ready to have constructive conversations, exhibit active listening and an awareness of the difficulties faced by everyone involved. It is also more than a little worrying that there seems to be an obvious lack of empathy being exhibited, especially when the operating landscape has changed so much post covid. For early years providers to feel supported and for them to flourish, a much more collaborative and respectful approach is required.
We should be under no illusion that local authorities, regulators, Government departments and providers must come together, be more aligned and work much more collaboratively. We must ensure resources are being used where they can make the most difference, and this will take a concerted effort from all stakeholders who will need to accept reallocating their resources and, in certain situations, applying some levels of flex and common sense in difficult situations. But, with everyone's support we can create an environment where early years providers feel valued, supported, and heard. We must work together to bridge the chasm and find meaningful solutions which allows providers to thrive.
It really is time to rebuild trust and cooperation between local authorities, regulators, and government departments to ensure the best outcomes for our early years providers.
