Nursery World - Coronavirus: Sector tries to stay positive with uncertain times ahead

Nurseries and pre-schools have spoken to Nursery World about the challenges of opening to more children in September, whether taking on new families or children who are returning for the first time since lockdown. So, what will the new normal look like in the autumn term?

Parents have helped to fund First Steps’ PPE purchases

Many settings are suffering financial losses, as fewer children have returned since settings were allowed to open more widely. According to official Government statistics, only around a quarter of children were attending early years settings in July than would usually attend in term time.

Learning to cope

‘There’s a sense of uncertainty about what’s coming down the road,’ said David Wright, owner of Paint Pots Nurseries in Southampton. ‘We’re dealing with the impact of the pandemic on children, parents and the team. Within all of that storm, we have to a) respond directly, b) second-guess the Government, c) preserve jobs and keep going.’

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