Longridge nursery staff speak out as Lancashire's childcare outlets face desperate situation

The 324 private nurseries registered in the county area are not able to charge fees for children who are self-isolating, leaving them struggling to pay their employees, rent and other fixed costs.

In addition staff are unable to social distance from youngsters and their guardians in what is a hands on role, and they cannot wear PPE while working with such young children.

Yet nursery staff have not been prioritised for vaccinations.

Hannah McElroy, nursery manager of Little People, based at The Limes Ltd, Berry Lane, Longridge, says while they are eligible for furlough, the amount would be based on their private income.

They have been temporarily exempt from paying business rates but are due to start paying again from March.

Staff had to "plead" for a special £10,000 grant from Ribble Valley Council - but last week alone they lost £6,000 as one of their rooms, housing 24 two to three-year-olds, had to be closed due to four members of staff testing positive for Covid.

They have lost seven children so far from their books as more parents work from home.

They are due to receive rapid testing kits from Lancashire Councty Council, but they haven't arrived yet, and with 15 staff expected to test twice a week the nursery isn't convinced there will be enough tests to maintain the routine.

She says: " We need financial help and some recognition of what we do. We feel we are more vulnerable than teachers as we physically have to handle our children. We can't social distance in this setting, for example changing nappies.

"Teachers of older children can stand at the door but we have to hand over babies and children to their carers - that means we come into contact with at least 83 guardians a week and maybe more if a mum comes one day and dad or grandparents the next.

"A normal business might be able to cope with a couple of staff being off but we have staff to children ratios to maintain for legal reasons."

The issues affect most private nurseries in the county.

During the first national lockdown starting in March last year, nurseries were closed and the government provided funding for all the children on their books, but this time they have been left open and money is only given for those who attend.

Last week Tulip Siddiq, the shadow minister for children and early years, said early years providers were being placed in an impossible financial position and that nearly 19,000 venues could close within six months.

The Department for Education said around 37% of the numbers of children expected for January were recorded on January 7 - this is stark contrast to a month ago when 61% of children attended.

Jane Priest, owner of Little People, described herself as feeling "lost and very vulnerable."

She says her full time day nursery is the only one in the close vicinity, and she is worried for its future.

She is already paying back a £30,000 bounce back loan she had to take out during the first lockdown.

She explains: " I know I speak for all private day nurseries when I say how worried we are about the future of our nurseries.

"All we ask is that we are treated the same as the other sectors who look after children - vaccines, funding, priorities, instead of being totally ignored.

'Having had four cases of Covid amongst staff, although contained to one room, I am now without fees for my highest paying, non funded, highest occupancy room for 10 days.

"When are we going to get the government support in our sector that we need? I’ve already taken out a £30,000 bounce back loan in the first lockdown and loathe to apply for any more as I’m already running nursery just to be able to pay wages and the bills and rent.

"To this day I just feel like nobody is listening to us as a sector and we don’t get the same treatment as other sectors do in looking after the same age children. It’s just not fair, is anybody lobbying on our behalf?

She adds: " My other issue is the vaccine, why are we not being prioritised for this too? Again, others in the same field are in the running but we never get a mention. I feel something needs to be done, I’m sure there are many other disgruntled private day nursery owners too.

"We are the only private day nursery in Longridge and we care for many of the town’s professional bodies' children. If nurseries like us were forced to close, where would that leave them?

"We work 7am to 6pm, 50 weeks of the year yet nobody is here to fight for us.

"I am getting so fed up. I am so proud of my nursery, I have the best team of staff I could wish for but I feel morale is starting to dip big time. There is only so much we can do for well being - who is looking after mine?

Her concerns were echoed by Purnima Tanuku OBE, who lives in east Lancashire and is the chief executive of The National Day Nurseries Association - a charity that provides support, information, advice and guidance to the childcare, early years and nursery sector.

She said: “Since the beginning of this third lockdown, almost 99% of nurseries have remained open.

“Those who have closed tell us the main reasons are high numbers of staff absences which prevent them from opening safely or concerns about local case rates.

“Our snap poll earlier this month – which included many nurseries from the Lancashire area - showed that 56% of nurseries want more information to reassure parents and employees that staying open is the right decision.

“Nurseries in Lancashire find themselves in an impossible position, working to remain open so that children and families can access vital early education and childcare, while facing increased costs and reduced income at the same time.

“Nursery businesses have also had much less support than schools – for example, schools have had support with PPE costs, cleaning and staff absences. We welcome the commitment from Lancashire County Council to providers that they will get the same access to testing kits as schools. This support will be vital for nurseries who have been operating throughout the pandemic.

“Unfortunately we are hearing that more staff are having to self-isolate, leaving nurseries struggling to meet staff to child ratios."

“Early years settings are the only educational establishments that are open to all and must be prioritised. They need testing kits, given priority for vaccinations and urgent financial support from the government to prevent mass closures across the county.”

The organisation has joined with Early Years Alliance and Pacey to form the #ProtectEarlyYears campaign which is calling jointly on the DfE to reverse its decision to fund nurseries on their actual head count this month rather than pre-Covid attendance.

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