Ofsted chief finds children settled into nursery better in pandemic with parents not allowed inside

Amanda Spielman, chief inspector for Ofsted, has said feedback from nurseries reveals children settled into the nursery better during the pandemic because parents were not allowed inside due to Covid restrictions.

Amanda Spielman (front centre) with staff at Bright Stars Day Nursery in Peterborough. Credit: Stars Day Nurseries

Ms Spielman visited Bright Stars Day Nursery in Peterborough to see how the early years sector in the town was coping with the impact of the pandemic.

Kirsty Wislawski nursery manager at Bright Stars Day Nursery, told daynurseries.co.uk: “We had a lovely chat about the differences the pandemic has made and one very big difference we have noticed is the children settle in better because the parents are not allowed inside the nursery.

“Before the pandemic it was far harder to get the children settled on the first day as parents did not want to leave and would hesitate. Amanda told us she had the same feedback from lots of other nurseries.”

daynurseries.co.uk spoke to another nursery which reported similar findings, saying it put an end to “anxious” and “lingering” parents at nursery drop off.

David Wright, owner of Paint Pots Nurseries in Southampton, said: “We have noticed with the parents now dropping off at the door of the nursery instead of coming inside, the children are far more settled first thing in the morning. We don’t have parents lingering and anxious and not wanting to leave their child.”

During her visit to the nursery, operated by Stars Day Nurseries, Ms Spielman was accompanied by Ofsted inspector Lesley Barrett and Syreeta Payne, an early childhood education specialist at Peterborough City Council.

Ms Spielman also spoke to nursery staff about wellbeing and heard how the setting had been supporting staff, families and children’s wellbeing during the pandemic.

Nurseries stayed open to support key workers during pandemic lockdowns, which nursery staff said affected wellbeing. Ms Wislawski said: “We did regular wellbeing classes for the staff and I always have an open door policy. It is so important that staff can feel as though they can come to us to discuss any problems they are having and we will be continuing this.”

Ms Spielman also asked the nursery manager about funding and Ms Wislawski told daynurseries.co.uk: “We have seen an increase in two year funded children since the pandemic and less of parents’ funding. This is due to an increase in working from home as well as parents losing jobs and money struggles.

“We have also seen a rise in children with special educational needs. This is mainly speech and language because of lack of access to baby and toddler clubs and parents socialising.”

Katie Clipston, operations manager at Stars Day Nurseries group, said: “It was a privilege to welcome Amanda into our setting and have the opportunity to spend time discussing the day-to-day issues we have faced during the pandemic but also our plans moving forward on how we can continue supporting the families we work with.

“It is rare to have the opportunity to do this, and it provided the team with a much-needed boost”.

click here for more details or to contact Stars Day Nurseries Ltd