The new quarterly survey is being carried out by independent research agency Ceeda, as part of Strong Early Years London, a new programme of business support for the city’s private, voluntary and independent providers.
Launched by London Mayor Sadiq Khan, and co-ordinated by the Early Years Alliance, the initiative aims to help early years providers in the capital to access business support information, advice and guidance, as well as offering intensive, tailored support to settings that most need it.
The Alliance said that many early years settings, which would otherwise have remained financially viable, have been hard-hit by a combination of extra costs associated with the pandemic, alongside a fall in attendance that has seen the early years sector lose out on both Government funding and parent fees.
The survey, which will be carried out every three months over the next year, will provide Ceeda, the Early Years Alliance, and the London early years sector with valuable up-to-date insights into local sector trends and the state of early education and care as we emerge from the pandemic.
The survey findings will help inform the delivery of business support as part of the programme.
Anyone who owns or manages a day nursery, pre-school or childminding provision in London can take part in the survey.
The Alliance said the survey should take around seven minutes to complete and all information provided will be reported anonymously.
Those who work within the early years sector, but do not operate settings, are being encouraged to share the survey with their networks.
The deadline to complete the survey is Friday 30 July.