CYP Now - Early years sector still faces huge pressure from pandemic, leaders warn

Inspectors must recognise challenges that many childcare providers still face as they continue to cope with the impact of the pandemic, sector leaders have warned.

Ofsted inspections place added stress on early years staff, providers have said. Picture: Adobe Stock

The latest findings from Ofsted’s annual report into education and children’s services highlights how staff and leaders worked “tirelessly” in children’s interests to combat the huge pressures placed on both sectors by Covid-19.

But the investigation found that early years staff were more stressed and felt their work was more difficult than before the pandemic.

Despite this, there was an increased appreciation of the importance of early years with many staff feeling honoured to be working to support children during this time, the report states.

Responding to the inspectorate’s findings, the National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) said ongoing measures and staff absences had made many nurseries “different places” compared with pre-pandemic times.

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