London early years survey returns in ongoing bid to support the sector’s recovery.

The programme, commissioned by the Mayor of London in March and co-ordinated by the Early Years Alliance, is designed to offer business support and guidance to private and voluntary early years settings in the capital. Independent research agency and early years specialist Ceeda has been engaged to carry out quarterly surveys, ensuring the right kind of targeted support remains on offer throughout the lifecycle of the programme.

The second in this series of short surveys is now open, with anyone who owns or manages a day nursery, pre-school or childminding provision in London invited to participate. Anyone working with London’s early years sector is encouraged to support the survey by sharing it with setting owners and managers in their networks.

The survey only takes around 10 minutes to complete and results will be reported anonymously. Providers do not need to have participated in the first quarterly survey to respond to the latest survey, and there is no requirement for settings to take part again in future unless they would like to.

The link to participate in the survey is: www.research.net/r/StrongEYLondon2 and the deadline for responses is Friday 17 December.

Commenting on the survey launch, Neil Leitch, chief exec of the Early Years Alliance, said:

‘Early years providers in London, like settings right across the country, are continuing to face severe disruption to their businesses as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, and so getting the right support will be vital to ensure those settings aren’t just able to survive, but can also thrive, in the months and years to come.

‘Understanding what is happening in the market and the challenges that providers are facing is key to making this happen. That is why I would urge all nurseries, pre-schools and childminders in the capital to respond to this latest survey and help inform the ongoing work of Strong Early Years London – and its programme of support – throughout this difficult time.’

Deputy mayor for Education and Childcare, Joanne McCartney, said:

‘Early years education and childcare provision has a significant role to play in giving the next generation of Londoners the best possible start in life.

‘We know many private and voluntary providers have had a difficult and uncertain 18 months due to Covid-19 restrictions. That’s why it’s so important that all nurseries, pre-schools and childminders contribute their views to this quick survey.

‘It will allow the Mayor’s Strong Early Years London programme to pick up, understand and respond to the pressures facing the sector, and ensure that settings are given the support they need to thrive as we rebuild and recover from the effects of the pandemic.’