Research project to see how positive cases are impacting on early years staff

Leading UK early years organisation National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) and the Education Policy Institute (EPI) are launching the third survey in their year-long research project looking at the effect of the Covid-19 pandemic on the early years workforce. Education Policy Institute logoNDNA logo

With the Covid-19 cases at their peak in January 2021, this survey will look at how many times settings have had to fully or partially close as well weekly staff absences. The study continues to look at the way the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme is being used in early years, as well as the overall impact on the current make-up of the workforce.

Purnima Tanuku OBE, Chief Executive of NDNA, said: “We are hearing from providers that the last three months have been some of the most challenging times of the whole pandemic. Infection rates in the community have seen staff and children having to self-isolate leading to more settings having to fully or partially close.

“At the same time we have seen the funding model move from one based on previous attendance to settings only receiving it based on headcount, which we know is being affected by the current national lockdowns. This valuable research will help us to provide evidence of the impact of Covid-19 on providers. 

“We are asking childcare providers across England, Scotland and Wales to take the time to complete the survey to capture the evolving nature of the challenges in each nation.”

This piece of research is part of a larger four part study. We published the first survey study in September and second in December. Participants will remain strictly confidential and can either take part in all or any of the four surveys. NDNA and EPI will be sharing the results from each piece of research, with a larger piece of analysis at the end of the year-long project.

Separate surveys are available for members in England, Scotland and Wales to reflect different lockdown measures, funding support and staffing considerations.

England - https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/ZZQBPPL  
Wales - https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/ZPGSPN7  
Scotland - https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/Z6FJQXB