Shining a light on baby and toddler groups

BABY AND TODDLER GROUPS

Earlier this year, the Alliance launched a survey exploring the challenges and opportunities facing baby and toddler groups. Here, press and external affairs officer Caroline Wadham provides an overview of the key findings

Caroline is part of the communications and external affairs team at the Alliance, leading on the organisation’s press and media coverage, as well as supporting campaigns and policy work.

Baby and toddler groups, also known as stay and play groups, are a key part of the early years sector. But while the challenges facing pre-schools, nurseries and childminders are becoming increasingly well documented, there remains little research or discussion surrounding the challenges facing baby and toddler groups.

As a result, back in March, the Alliance launched a survey to explore the obstacles and opportunities facing baby and toddler groups across the country.

The survey received 272 responses that not only revealed the significant and concerning challenges baby and toddler groups are facing, but also shone a light on the indispensable support they give to families.

Rising costs were highlighted as a key challenge for most baby and toddler groups, with around three-quarters (76%) reporting an increase in their group’s running costs during the past year. Of those, more than a quarter (26%) said they faced significant increases. On average, running costs increased by 20%.

"As I run one session almost solo, whether the session is held is completely dependent on my health and work commitments."

Groups told the Alliance that increased running costs are a direct result of a rise in rent or occupation costs. When looking at groups who paid rent or occupation costs in the past year, nearly two-thirds (65%) said costs had increased, on average, by 19%.

A notable proportion (21%) said they have been unable to cover the costs of running their group using their income alone, with almost three in ten (29%) dipping into their own personal savings to make up the difference.

However, despite making cuts to their provision, some have been left with no alternative but to increase fees for families. In total, nearly three in ten (28%) said they have raised fees within the last year, on average by 15%. Concerningly, one in five (20%) said they were concerned that their baby and toddler or stay and play group could close within the next year.

On top of this, staffing challenges have placed even more pressure on groups across the country. A third of respondents (33%) said they have not been able to recruit and retain enough staff or volunteers to meet the demand for places over the past year, while almost three-quarters (72%) of groups cited attracting new volunteers and staff as a key issue.

Almost half (48%) of those said they struggled to find volunteers who were able to commit the time needed.

"Sometimes I am the only person a new mum has spoken to in her week. One mum told me she hasn’t even seen a health visitor as there’s no one covering her area.”

Meanwhile, others said the cost-of-living crisis has prevented people from volunteering as many no longer have the financial stability to be able to commit the time needed to volunteering. Respondents also noted that the hands-on nature of the role has made it a less attractive volunteer opportunity, especially among older volunteers who are available during the daytime, and therefore would be an ideal age group for volunteering.

However, despite the severe staffing and financial challenges faced by baby and toddler groups, they continued to prioritise the needs of families over upgrading equipment, increasing fees, and in some cases the financial health of the setting.

And as the survey revealed, now is a time when families need more support than ever. Over half (53%) of respondents said that families attending their group were facing mental health challenges, while almost the same proportion (52%) said families were impacted by rising energy costs. To support families, more than half of groups (51%) said they signposted them to additional services including foodbanks and a quarter (25%) donated toys, books or other resources to families. A similar proportion (26%) reduced the cost of attending sessions for struggling families.

“ Baby and toddler groups are a lifeline for so many families and parents, and they are one of the hidden gems of the charitable and voluntary sector - they provide support, comfort, warmth, friendship and solidarity for all parents whether they are struggling or not, and often go further to help those facing additional challenges. ”

Baby and toddler groups are an essential lifeline for both children and their families. Despite this, they are facing significant challenges, which without significant practical support and funding will likely result in the closure of many more groups across the country. It is vital, therefore, that baby and toddler groups, alongside the rest of the early years sector, receive practical support and funding to support details to deliver high-quality education and care long into the future.

You can read more about our survey findings in our new report, Hidden Gems, available at bit.ly/HiddenGemsU5.

Early Adventures Baby and Toddler Toolkit – available now

The Early Adventures Baby and Toddler Toolkit has been developed to support both new and established baby and toddler groups and classes to deliver high-quality services to families and their local community.

The Toolkit includes a comprehensive Best Practice Guide, which is underpinned by the principles of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Framework and includes information, advice and guidance on a wide range of practical topics including: insurance, financing, business structures, key legislation, food safety, health and safety, early development, activity ideas and ways to engage with families

Alongside the Guide, you will also benefit from a one-hour virtual consultation with one of the Alliance’s baby and toddler experts: this is a reflective conversation that will support you to navigate through the guide, focusing on the essential elements of managing a successful baby and toddler group.

The full toolkit, including consultation, is just £55 for Alliance members and £91 for non-members (with one year of Alliance membership included in the non-member price).

Find out more, and purchase your toolkit, via the Alliance Shop: bit.ly/ babytoddlerU5.

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