To ask where all the kids are at nursery?

[TheLostNights]

Maybe just at godchilds nursery but before the summer break, there were lots of kids when I went to collect at 5PM. Now, only a very small number. My neighbour said the same thing is happening at her nursery. So where have all the kids gone? Could understand it throughout the summer holiday but doesn't make sense now ?

I work agency and have never known it this quiet. Normally I get constant work but now gone a good few weeks without anything. I'm qualified as well so it is odd. Like someone said upthread, the staff say it's down to funded hours but also, the ratio has changed for 2 year olds from 1/4 to 1/5 and that change was made this month. Obviously this then means they need less staff.
With that said, the media are always saying nurseries are crying out for qualified staff but as I say, I've had no work and so have none of my colleagues......

I noticed this earlier. We live in Buckinghamshire. There is less traffic in the nursery car park these days. Quite a few children have moved to preschool but that alone can't explain the exodus. I suspect parents are reducing hours to save cash and some nursery staff are leaving for better-paid jobs. This will of course bankrupt struggling childcare services and prices will shoot up even more than expected next year.

Yes, my neighbour was saying the same thing funnily enough. Like someone else said though, where are the actual kids? Can't all be at home even if flexible working in place. Not many parents have the privilege of working full time from home and many employers have a ban on home working with kids.
Would have thought with the cost of living, that most parents would need to work full time.