UK software firm Connect Childcare has conducted a survey to assess the confidence of early years providers about re-opening their setting on 1 June.

The survey took responses from 634 respondents and it shockingly revealed that only 13% of early years practices across the UK are confident to safely open their doors again this month. A further 27% also stating they don’t feel confident in managing their workforce.

In addition, 61% stated they were unconfident or unsure about bringing employees back from furlough, and only 19% were confident about organising staffing ratios.

Commenting on the survey results and new product release, Chris Reid, CEO of Connect Childcare, said:

‘When the Government announced the reopening EY childcare services, we decided to conduct our own research into how the sector is feeling about resuming some form of ‘normality’.

‘And the numbers show that there is definitely a concern for safety from across the board.

‘Before COVID-19, the industry was already feeling the pressure from underfunding and depleting staffing levels, but now it has additional challenges to face. Nurseries are responsible for ensuring their settings run as smoothly and safely as possible, and the numbers indicate they’re in need of greater direction and support to make the transition less daunting.”

Connect’s StaffPlan tool enables practice managers to manage complex staffing requirements from a single, centralised record in real time – without the need for multiple spreadsheets.

‘The survey results show the great uncertainty nursery settings have around effectively managing their practices in June. We want to help make their return to work as headache-free as possible – equipping them with the insights to see where employees are needed, based on ratios, plus who is available and what their current circumstances are.’

Other findings from the study revealed 39% of those surveyed are fairly confident or confident about looking after children in line with the Government’s updated guidance.

Connect Childcare is offering StaffPlan free of charge until 31 October 2020.