The relaxation of Covid restrictions, including the withdrawal of free testing on 1 April, does not mean that the pandemic is over. In fact, nurseries are finding that the challenges posed by staff absences are worse than they have ever been.
‘There has been a major impact of staff off with Covid since Christmas,’ says Kelsie Mcintyre, manager of Little Angels nursery and preschool in Uppingham, East Midlands. ‘Last month, we held a training event, and a few days later, everyone who had attended had Covid.’
‘Since the guidance has been relaxed, we have had more staff off with Covid than during the previous two years,’ adds Lucy Whitehead, owner of Rainbow Corner Southsea and Rainbow Corner Windlesham, both in the Home Counties. ‘Recently we had to take the decision to close for the day, which we have never done before.’
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