The early years sector has been navigating some of its toughest challenges yet – from recruitment shortages and rising SEND needs to financial pressures that stretch already tight budgets. But amidst the difficulties, there’s also innovation, resilience, and a strong desire to do better.

That’s exactly what The Childcare Company set out to explore.

Through a series of honest and insightful interviews, they spoke with nursery leaders and early years professionals to uncover the most painful pinch points in the sector – and how settings are tackling them head-on. By gathering these voices and sharing practical solutions, The Childcare Company is helping to spark positive change and support those who are working hard to make a real difference.

 

Recruitment & Retention: A Growing Challenge

Ask any nursery leader what keeps them up at night, and recruitment is almost always at the top of the list. Emily Stoker from Bright Little Stars summed it up clearly: “There’s definitely a shortage of qualified Level 3 practitioners… and a general lack of interest. Fewer people are coming into the industry than five or ten years ago.”

With better-paid opportunities in other sectors and increased cost-of-living pressures, early years settings are struggling to stay competitive. “It can take between a month to sometimes four months to fill a vacancy,” Emily added, noting that full-time roles are especially difficult to fill. “Part-time is easier – it appeals more to parents and those who need flexibility.”

Despite this, there is hope – and it starts with apprenticeships. “Apprentices are ultimately a way to keep early years educators engaged for a longer period of time,” said Claudio Sisera. “That served as an amazing retention tool for me personally.”

Bliss Greenwood, Operations Lead at Hopscotch Day Nurseries agreed: “I started as a Level 2 apprentice and it set me up with the balance I needed – earning while learning.”

To meet the growing demand for qualified practitioners, The Childcare Company is also supporting providers to recruit experienced Level 3 staff by advertising for Level 5 Early Years Lead Practitioner (EYLP) apprentices. These opportunities attract ambitious educators who already hold a Level 3 qualification and nursery experience – helping settings recruit the skilled professionals they need while offering a pathway for further development.

That’s why The Childcare Company’s free recruitment service matters. By connecting nurseries with passionate apprentices – from those just starting out to those ready to step into leadership – and supporting both sides through the process, they’re not just filling roles; they’re building lasting careers.

 

SEND and Additional Needs: Rising Demands, Rising to the Challenge

The rise in children needing additional support is one of the most pressing issues facing nurseries today. “Most definitely,” said Emily Stoker when asked if she’d seen an increase. “Both formally diagnosed and children presenting developmental delays… there’s 100% growth in children that require additional support.”

From speech and language delays to sensory processing challenges and complex diagnoses like autism and Down syndrome, the spectrum of need has widened significantly. Emily explained: “There’s a lot more children requiring EHCPs [Education, Health and Care Plans] or undergoing assessments.”

This increase isn’t without impact. Staff are stretched – balancing one-to-one support, liaising with external professionals, and adapting routines. “It definitely adds pressure to an already demanding role,” Emily shared, adding that confidence among practitioners varies depending on prior experience.

Bliss Greenwood echoed the need for support: “Unless practitioners really understand what SEND entails, it can feel quite scary – especially for new apprentices.”

The Childcare Company listened – and responded. Their new Level 3 Early Years Educator apprenticeship now includes dedicated SEND training. “That was music to my ears,” Emily said. “It’s much needed in today’s early years settings, and I think all providers should do this.”

By embedding SEND knowledge into apprenticeships, they’re building a better-prepared workforce – ready to meet every child’s needs with skill and care.

 

Financial Pressures & Levy Transfers: Finding Relief Without Compromise

When budgets are tight – and in early years, they usually are – every saving matters. For Bliss Greenwood at Hopscotch Day Nurseries, the rising cost of upskilling staff was once a serious barrier. “Previously, we used to pay the 5% co-investment for apprenticeships. It limited how many people we could put through.”

That changed when they partnered with The Childcare Company.

“Since meeting Ali Franklin and learning about levy transfers, everything’s changed,” Bliss explained. “Now, we access full levy funding through businesses in the local community, and The Childcare Company supports us with the whole process.”

The impact? Massive. “We’ve probably saved tens of thousands of pounds. We used to put maybe 20 apprentices on a year – now we’re in the hundreds.”

Those savings haven’t just been pocketed – they’ve been reinvested. Hopscotch has expanded its training offer, rolled out INSET days, and supported CPD for staff beyond just apprentices. “It’s allowed us to stretch our workforce development without stretching our finances,” Bliss added.

Thanks to this collaboration, nurseries like Hopscotch are proving that with the right knowledge and support, we can upskill our teams and grow our workforce – without the financial strain.

 

Employer NI Savings: A Hidden Opportunity

In a sector where every penny counts, few nurseries realise they could be saving thousands through National Insurance relief. Employers don’t have to pay Class 1 Employer NI contributions for apprentices under 25 – but it’s a benefit many settings are not aware of.

“I want to say I knew,” Bliss Greenwood admitted, “but I didn’t really. It just disappeared into the abyss of payments. We had no idea we could claim back what we’d overpaid.”

After reviewing records and working with The Childcare Company, Hopscotch discovered they were eligible to reclaim over £20,000 from HMRC. “It’s money we never would’ve seen,” Bliss said. “Now it’s going back into training, our team, and the children.”

Emily shared that Bright Little Stars is undergoing a similar process: “We’re tracing all our past eligible staff – it’s like a mini lottery!”

Claudio highlighted the bigger picture: “Savings like this can free up budgets to invest in inclusive projects and positive culture change. It’s about more than numbers – it’s about possibilities.”

Thanks to The Childcare Company’s guidance, more providers are unlocking savings that not only ease financial strain but spark new investment in staff and setting development.

 

Spotlight: Gender Diversity in Early Years

When Claudio Sisera founded Male Childcare & Teaching Jobs, it came from personal experience. “In my first year working in a nursery, I often felt isolated. There were recruitment biases, stigma, even concerns from parents about me doing things like nappy changes or comforting a child,” he shared.

Unfortunately, his story isn’t unique. Many men still face barriers when entering the early years profession – whether it’s a lack of visible role models or a sense that they simply don’t belong.

But things are changing. With organisations like Claudio’s leading the conversation and The Childcare Company launching a dedicated Level 3 pathway to support male apprentices, the sector is finally beginning to open up. “You can’t be what you can’t see,” Claudio said. “Mentorship from male educators who’ve walked the path makes a huge difference.”

Male practitioners offer more than representation – they contribute to diverse teaching styles, help children see gender equality in action, and build stronger relationships with fathers. As Claudio added, “It’s about supporting all family dynamics and creating inclusive spaces where every child can thrive.”

By backing gender diversity, we’re not just filling gaps – we’re expanding what early education can be.

 

Conclusion: Turning Challenges into Change

The pain points in our sector are real – but so is the progress. From Bright Little Stars to Hopscotch, early adopters are showing what’s possible when we pair honest conversations with practical support.

The Childcare Company has proven that partnership, not pressure, leads to results – whether it’s through smarter recruitment, SEND training, funding solutions, or championing gender diversity.

We invite more providers to join this journey. Let’s keep listening, keep learning, and keep lifting each other up – because together, we’re not just solving problems. We’re shaping the future of early years education.