How Can Technology Support Flexible Working in Early Years Settings?
Flexible working has become a hot topic since the COVID-19 pandemic, with more people wanting work arrangements that suit their lives. But it’s not as simple as it sounds in the early years sector. Many nurseries are open long hours, all year round, which makes flexibility tricky. Balancing ratios, sticking to regulations, and ensuring children get the care they need leaves little wiggle room, especially when only a small number of staff can work term-time without disrupting operations. This struggle to offer flexibility is one of the reasons people are leaving the sector, adding more strain to the ongoing recruitment and retention crisis.
But it’s not all doom and gloom! The early years sector is adapting to meet the growing demand for flexible working. Ideas like staggered shifts, job sharing, and part-time roles could help attract and keep talented professionals, all while improving staff wellbeing. Of course, making this work takes careful planning to maintain quality care, follow legal requirements, and keep communication flowing smoothly between staff and families. So, let’s explore how can technology help early years settings find the balance.
Opportunities and challenges of flexible working in childcare
Flexible working can be a deciding factor for whether someone chooses a career in childcare. For early years managers, this presents a big question: how do you offer flexibility without it disrupting the smooth running of your nursery or childcare setting?
It’s a tricky balancing act because flexible working in early years has to juggle a lot of priorities:
- Staffing and Ratios: Keeping staff-to-child ratios steady while managing changing occupancy levels.
- Parental Communication: Staying connected with parents, even with staggered shifts or job-sharing setups.
- Team Coordination: Making sure everyone works well together and shares information, even with different work patterns.
Of course, you can’t transform your systems, processes, or even your working culture overnight. But a recent Nursery World article offers a two-pronged plan that could help leaders take steps in the right direction:
- Proactively Embrace Flexibility: Instead of simply reacting to requests, open up conversations about flexible working with your team. Talk about what’s possible, understand staff needs and preferences, and work together to find solutions that balance personal needs with the nursery’s priorities.
- Make Flexibility Part of Recruitment: Be upfront about flexible options when hiring. Think about alternative work patterns or creative ways to share responsibilities, and include flexibility as a key feature in job adverts to attract new talent.
This approach is backed by findings from the Timewise Childcare Pioneers Project, a two-year initiative reported by NMT Magazine. Timewise worked with the London Early Years Foundation (LEYF) and the Early Years Alliance to explore how creating more positive flexible working cultures could improve staff wellbeing and attract a more diverse range of candidates—including older workers and those with caring responsibilities.
To help leaders take action, they’ve developed a set of bite-sized videos and written guides. These resources are designed to support good practice when responding to flexible working requests, managing flexible teams, and adapting jobs for flexible working. You can find and watch them here.
While the challenges of flexible working in childcare are real, thoughtful strategies like these, combined with the right tools and resources, can open up exciting opportunities to create more adaptable roles in early years settings—benefiting staff, children, and families alike.
Using technology to enable flexible working
Technology can make flexible working possible without compromising the quality of care. Here’s how tools like Connect Childcare can help nurseries and early years settings manage the challenges of flexibility while keeping everything running smoothly:
Better staff communication and coordination
Flexible schedules mean good communication is a must to keep everyone on the same page. The Connect Childcare software solution makes it easier with:
- Shared Today Screen & Reminders: A simple way to keep all staff in the loop about updates and tasks, no matter their shifts.
- ParentZone App: Helps parents stay connected with real-time updates about their child’s day, even when key workers are on staggered hours or job-share.
Simpler staffing and occupancy management
Managing staff and staying compliant with ratios is much easier with accurate, real-time data:
- Occupancy Widget: Shows live room capacity, making it simple to plan staggered starts or part-time shifts.
- Staff Plan Module: Allows managers to create schedules that balance staff preferences with the needs of the setting.
- Staff Registers: Keeps track of attendance, shifts, and breaks, making flexible schedules transparent and stress-free.
By using technology thoughtfully, early years settings can embrace flexible working while keeping staff, parents, and children happy and secure. It’s all about making work work for everyone!
Embracing flexibility for the future
By using technology to support staggered starts, job sharing, and part-time roles, early years settings can create a more flexible and resilient workforce. These changes don’t just boost staff wellbeing—they also help the sector adapt to the ever-changing needs of families and communities.
By creating an environment built on trust, collaboration, and professional growth, we can support the amazing early years teams that care for children every day.
Want to learn more about how Connect Childcare can help? You can book a demo with our friendly team here.
Already offering flexible working in your setting? We’d love to hear your success stories and tips! Drop us a line at marketing@connectchildcare.com and share what’s worked for you.
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About the Author
Content Marketing Executive at Connect Childcare