Staffing pressure is one of the biggest challenges facing nursery managers today.
Whether it’s unexpected illness, annual leave, training days, or the ongoing difficulty of recruiting permanent staff, ensuring that ratios are met and rooms run smoothly can often feel like a daily juggling act.
This is not just an isolated problem. According to the Early Years Alliance State of the Sector survey, nearly half of early years providers (49%) say they have limited or stopped taking on new children due to a lack of staff.
Alliance CEO Neil Leitch has warned that the sector is facing a “perfect storm” of pressures, with workforce shortages continuing to affect settings across the country.
While the wider staffing challenge won’t disappear overnight, many nursery managers find that a few simple systems can make staffing gaps far more manageable.
Here are three practical approaches that can help.
Build a small pool of trusted backup staff
One of the most effective ways to reduce staffing stress is to gradually build a small pool of trusted backup staff who already know your setting.
When cover is needed, bringing in someone familiar with your nursery can make a huge difference.
They already understand:
- Your daily routines
- Safeguarding expectations
- How your team works
- The children in your care
This reduces disruption for children and removes the need for constant supervision of unfamiliar staff.
Many nurseries begin with just one or two flexible workers and gradually build a small group they know they can rely on. Over time, these professionals become a trusted extension of the team, helping settings manage both planned and unexpected absences.
Plan for predictable absences with contingency
While some staffing gaps happen suddenly, many are predictable.
Examples include:
- Staff holidays
- Training days
- Medical appointments
- Planned leave
- External meetings or training
Scheduling a weekly meeting with the senior leadership team to list the absences that are known (or likely) in advance and arranging cover early can remove a lot of last-minute pressure.
Planning ahead allows managers to keep control of the rota and reduces the risk of suddenly being short of staff.
Use new flexible worker marketplaces to find cover quickly
Many nursery managers still spend valuable time trying to find cover by contacting people individually.
This might involve:
- Calling contacts
- Messaging staff groups
- Trying multiple options to see who is available
When a shift needs covering urgently, this process can take valuable time that managers simply don’t have.
In recent years, online marketplaces for flexible workers have begun to change how staffing cover is arranged in many sectors. These platforms allow managers to connect quickly with self-employed professionals who are available to work in their local area.
Instead of contacting people one by one, managers can reach a wider pool of workers and find cover far more quickly when staffing gaps arise.
Final thoughts
Staff shortages remain a major challenge across the early years sector, but simple systems can make them far easier to manage. Building a small pool of trusted backup staff, planning ahead for predictable absences, and using flexible staffing tools can all help reduce pressure on managers and teams.
youchoosework is one such platform. It recently received a government innovation grant to help tackle staffing challenges in the childcare sector.
The platform connects nursery managers with flexible workers in their local area, helping settings build their own trusted bank of people they can call on when needed. It’s free to register, workers typically range from £11.50–£15.55 per hour, plus booking fee, and what you see is all you pay.
For nurseries looking to create a reliable pool of backup staff, platforms like this can provide a simple way to access flexible support whenever it’s needed.
Register for free at: https://youchoosework.com/register
