As the voice of the early years sector, we recognise that we speak for the largest and most varied collection of providers this country has to offer. Whether you’re a voluntary baby and toddler group run in a church hall, a group of six full-day settings educating over 160 children a day, or a childminding professional building bonds with a small group of children, we are here for you.

Having reviewed our membership categories, we’re looking to broaden our insurance offer to reflect the growing range of provider types we represent. As our membership has evolved, we have been working with our long-term partner, RSA, to offer insurance covers that will be suitable for the variety of services that our members provide.

Take baby and toddler groups, for example, which offer a lifeline for many parents and carers in those early months and years. We know that such groups come in all shapes and sizes: while some are run by heroic volunteers, others have taken their love of music or sensory play and created thriving businesses. We want to ensure, whatever your set-up, you have membership and insurance that suits your needs.

Whether you need safeguarding training for your numerous volunteers or to ensure your equipment is covered wherever you’re delivering your classes, we’ll have the right product for you.

We also recognise that Ofsted-registered early years settings only open during termtime – where children are on-site for 38 weeks of the year – may have different needs when compared to a full-year setting, which can be open for up to 52 weeks of the year.

So, for those working just during term-time, we’ve designed our products to reflect the reduced time spent delivering education and care to your children, meaning there are now separate membership and insurance options for these two types of provision.

We also wanted to give more flexibility to those of you who may offer wraparound services or holiday clubs, and so have created new membership categories specifically for those types of services.

Whatever your provision type, we offer additional insurance extensions focused on extra protection for outdoor play equipment or shed structures or contents, as well as additional computer cover, for those with equipment that is used at a number of locations.

These changes will come into effect after 1 June 2024, meaning it will impact your next renewal.

When we get in touch ahead of this, we’ll ask you to complete the online journey as though you’re a new member – this is to help ensure you choose the correct membership type and give you options for the cover most suitable for you.

From August onwards, this process will take place on our new online membership and insurance platform.

Please note: for those renewing in June or July, we’ll be in touch with more information about how to renew and provide this information in the interim.

For those renewing or purchasing insurance, when completing your application, please ensure you provide the necessary information with you need to obtain an accurate insurance quote. It is important to tell us the total cost of replacing your equipment as new within your setting. When entering your estimated annual income, please ensure this is your gross estimated income as this would be the maximum amount payable should your setting need to close temporarily due to something like a flood or fire.

For now, there is nothing for you to do at this stage except to keep an eye out for more information which we will share by email and on our social media channels.

We look forward to introducing these positive changes over the coming months, with our friendly membership and insurance team on-hand to answer any and all questions you may have – just contact them at membership@eyalliance.org.uk.