The Biggest Challenges

for Childcare Providers

CONTENTS.

1 Finance

2 Marketing

3 Management

4 Staffing

We ran a survey to try to find out what challenges modern

day childcare providers face. We have broken down the

results into 4 topic areas; you may be able to relate to the

feedback we received, but some answers may surprise you!

Results of the biggest challenge survey

Finance 1

37% of the respondents to

our survey stated that

financial constraints were

the biggest challenge that

they faced, followed by

29% of respondents who

said chasing late

payments was their

greatest bugbear.

2

7

21

2 1

7

16

Free entitlement

Invoicing

Financial constraints

Calculating fees

Fee collection

Sustainability

Chasing late payments

Those who stated financial constraints were their

greatest challenge said the problems they faced were:

•“Running a low cost affordable provision funds can be low

for purchasing equipment, training resources or developing

larger scale projects.”

“Financial pressures and uncertainty around changes to

partnership arrangements with council for funded places.”

“Making it financially viable in medium/long term to secure

[the setting’s] future.”

Those who cited chasing late payments as the main issue

said they faced problems with:

“Ensuring payments are prompt and present and

chasing up late fees.”

“Late payments of nursery fees.”

“Ensuring parents pay their fees on time!”

Do you face a similar challenge at your own

setting? Here are 3 articles that may interest

you!

10 ways to save your setting money

Caught short? How to get bills paid on time

How to address unpaid childcare fees

Marketing 2

67% of the respondents to

our survey said that keeping

occupancy levels high was

their biggest challenge and

14% of settings were worried

about competition from other

childcare providers, including

childminders, in the area.

6

28

3 3

2

Competition

Occupancy

Marketing

Showing parents around

Establishing a new nursery

Those who stated occupancy as their biggest

concern said the challenges they faced were:

“Maintaining occupancy to ensure steady cash

flow and cover outgoings.”

“Ensuring full occupancy.”

“Maintaining occupancy whilst competing with

schools now promoting 2 year olds in school.”

Those who stated competition as their main concern

said they worried about:

“New and fancier nurseries opening up very close

to our nursery. Heavy competition. We are

constantly striving to offer more facilities, activities

etc to compete.”

“Too many childminders running illegally and

undercutting us.”

“[We are] over saturated with nurseries in our

area.”

Do you want to increase occupancy at your own

setting? Read these articles!

8 ways to make your nursery first choice for parents

How to advertise your nursery

Who’s afraid of the big bad rival competitor?

Management 3

53% of the respondents to

our survey said that

paperwork was their greatest

challenge when it came to

running their childcare

setting. This was followed by

time management constraints

(24%).

2

26

1 3

12

5 Software

Paperwork

Session allocating

Being efficient

Time management

Forecasting

This is what our respondents said their difficulties

were when it came to dealing with paperwork:

•“Finding time to keep up with all paperwork.”

•“Meaningless paperwork!”

•“Keeping on top of paperwork.”

This is what our respondents said there issues were

when it came to struggling with time management:

•“Lack of time and late nights.”

•“Using my time effectively.”

•“Having enough time to take care of everything.”

Do you need advice on how to reduce

administration and paperwork at your setting?

Perhaps we can help!

Reduce your setting’s paperwork

Use software to improve service to parents

5 ways flexible nursery management software will

help your nursery

Staffing 4

33% of the respondents to

our survey said that staffing

presents the greatest

challenge to their setting,

followed by staff

management issues (23%)

and recruiting quality

practitioners (23%).

13

9

9

2 2

3

Staffing

Staff issues

Recruiting quality staff

Staff morale

Staff self confidence

What our respondents said about the difficulties they

face with recruiting quality staff:

•“Recruitment of quality staff.”

•“Finding staff with the right levels of intellect and

commitment.”

•“Finding high quality, passionate staff.”

What respondents said about the challenges they face

with staff development and self confidence:

•“Stagnant staff who fail to move forward with

changing practices in Early Years.”

•“Getting staff to believe in themselves.”

•“Staff confidence.”

We have put together some advice articles about

staffing and recruitment to help you:

How to build and manage a great team

How to recruit an apprentice – handbook

Worried about how staff will cope with a new

system? Tips for getting them on side

Childcare training and qualifications

News and

Advice

Nursery management

software Website design

Safeguarding

courses

Job board

Did you know we also do?

Setting management Occupancy Training

Can we help you with anything?

Call Us: 0844 504 5504 Email: contact@parenta.com