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By Rachel Lawler

Fewer children have returned to early years settings that previously thought, according to the.

In its latest briefing, аÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø¿ª½± said that the figures for providers in London and deprived areas are particularly low.

The report is based on evidence collected from interviews with early years providers between 5 October and 11 December 2020.

Just under a third of providers have told аÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø¿ª½± that they are worried that their business will have to close as concern about the long-term impact of low attendance on their business.

аÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø¿ª½± also reports that while children are making progress and settling back into their routines, providers have faced more behavioural challenges and are concerned about children's social and emotional development.

Some children have been particulary impacted by bereavment or domestic violence during the lockdown and are finding it hard to cope with their usual routine.

However, аÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø¿ª½± also noted that some positive changes too with providers offering staff additional training on SEND, mental health and language and communication. аÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø¿ª½± have also reported that working in smaller bubbles allows them to focus on closing gaps in children's learning and development.

Neil Leitch, cheif executive of the Alliance, commented: "This latest briefing shows the appalling way government has traded on the goodwill of the early years sector. The report is clear that early years settings are facing huge additional financial strain, staffing pressures and anxiety around keeping staff safe, but government has failed time and again to provide they additional help they need, such as with access testing and to cover additional costs. 

"аÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø¿ª½± have been resilient, flexible, and committed to supporting children’s needs as they return to their settings. The dedication they have shown, in the face of such huge challenges, is worthy of enormous praise, which makes this lack of support all the more galling. 

"The spring term is just weeks away, and yet providers are still waiting to hear whether early years entitlement funding will be extended - even though the report shows many fewer children are returning to settings than expected and one in three providers fears their setting will close. 

"As an interim step, Government must act immediately to extend early entitlement funding based on pre-pandemic places into the spring, and then look again at the overall level of sector funding, to prevent otherwise inevitable closures now and in the longer term. 

"аÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø¿ª½± rightly acknowledges the critical role providers will play in closing the gaps in learning and development resulting from coronavirus. It is vital that providers are properly supported as they continue to provide young children and their families with much needed stability in what remains a hugely challenging period."

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