Bright Horizons launches website to help key worker parents find local childcare

The website is in response to concerns about a shortage of childcare assistance for critical workers in a number of UK locations.  

With many early years providers now closed, key worker parents may not be able to use their usual nursery or childminder. 

While the Government has asked early years settings to stay open for critical workers, as defined by the Government, and vulnerable children, many have not been able to do so.

The UK’s second largest nursery group is asking for all providers to work together to help plug nationwide gaps in childcare coverage for key workers.

Bright Horizons is encouraging all eligible providers to register at emergencychildcare.co.uk/childcare-providers, and to spread the word, to support as many key worker families as possible.

The website www.emergencychildcare.co.uk includes information on a wide range of childcare options, from large nursery groups to single-site nurseries, registered childminders, and nanny agencies.

Providers can register on the site on an ongoing basis, and critical workers can sign up to receive alerts if new options become available in their area.

Nursery groups that have signed up so far are Bertram Nursery Group, the UK’s largest group Busy Bees Nurseries, Childbase Partnership, Fennies, Kiddi Caru, Tops Day Nurseries, and Twizzle Tops - with more added to the site daily.

Bright Horizons said that many providers are trying to balance the logistics of meeting demand while also being mindful of the Government Covid-19 guidelines regarding lower occupancy, increased hygiene, an isolation room, and other key factors as advised by health protection agencies to minimise any risk to the children and staff.

The nursery group said that in this context that collaboration and information-sharing was the right thing to do for everyone.

Ros Marshall, managing director of Bright Horizons, said, ‘For over 30 years Bright Horizons has supported the childcare needs of working parents and we have innovated our services throughout this time in order to provide the most meaningful support as circumstances evolve. 

‘It is in this spirit that we are collaborating with others in our sector, via our emergency childcare website, to ensure that together we can offer reassuring, nurturing childcare to meet urgent need. We hope that more providers will come on board in the days and weeks to come, continuing to increase the amount and range of care available.

‘We are proud to be able to play our own small part in supporting key workers and would like to express our thanks to them for all they are doing to help everyone.’

On Thursday, Government guidance was updated to encourage early years and childcare settings and schools to continue to look after critical workers’ children and vulnerable children throughout the Easter holidays and for settings to contact their local council, responsible for coordinating childcare provision locally, if this proved difficult.

• For more information contact new@emergencychildcare.co.uk