Christmas is one of the busiest and most exciting times of the year, but for nursery managers and childcare providers, it can also bring some additional staffing challenges.
With annual leave requests, seasonal sickness and changes to staff availability, making sure your nursery has the right team in place throughout December is essential.
The last thing you want is to be worrying about staffing shortages when you should be enjoying the festive season!
At KiddyKare Staff Solutions, we understand how important reliable staffing is to keep your nursery running smoothly. That’s why we’re sharing our top tips to help you get prepared for the Christmas period.
1. Plan Annual Leave in Advance
December is a popular time for staff to request annual leave, particularly in the run-up to Christmas and New Year.
Getting ahead of annual leave requests can help you identify potential staffing gaps before they become a problem.
We recommend:
- Reviewing all outstanding annual leave requests.
- Checking how many members of staff will be available each day.
- Identifying any dates where you may be short-staffed.
- Planning cover as early as possible.
- Communicating staffing arrangements clearly with your team.
Having a clear overview of staff availability will help you plan ahead and avoid unnecessary last-minute pressure.
2. Don’t Let Winter Sickness Catch You Out
Unfortunately, winter is also a time when seasonal illnesses can affect staff availability.
Even with the best planning, unexpected sickness can leave nurseries struggling to maintain the required staffing levels.
Having a plan in place for unexpected absences can make a huge difference.
Consider whether you have enough flexibility within your existing team and whether additional temporary support might be needed.
Having access to reliable temporary childcare practitioners means you can respond more quickly when unexpected staffing gaps arise.
3. Avoid Last-Minute Staffing Shortages
Trying to find suitable childcare staff at short notice can be stressful, particularly during one of the busiest times of the year.
Leaving recruitment until the last minute can limit your options and put additional pressure on your existing team.
Planning ahead gives you more time to identify your staffing requirements and arrange suitable cover.
Whether you need an additional Nursery Assistant, Early Years Practitioner or more experienced childcare professional, having a recruitment partner you can rely on can make the process much easier.
4. Consider Temporary Nursery Staff for Christmas Cover
Temporary staffing can be a valuable solution for nurseries during the festive period.
Whether you’re covering annual leave, unexpected sickness or additional staffing requirements, temporary practitioners can provide the extra support your team needs.
At KiddyKare Staff Solutions, we help nurseries find childcare professionals to support their staffing requirements.
We understand that every setting is different, which is why finding people with the right experience, qualifications and approach to childcare is so important.
Temporary staffing can help you maintain continuity, support your permanent team and keep your nursery operating smoothly.
5. Start Planning for January Too!
Although Christmas might be your immediate priority, it’s also worth looking ahead to the New Year.
January can be a great time to review your staffing structure, identify recruitment needs and plan for any upcoming vacancies.
If you’re expecting staff changes, have positions to fill or want to strengthen your existing team, starting conversations early can put you in a much better position for 2027.
Let KiddyKare Help You Prepare for December!
The festive season should be an enjoyable time for your nursery team, children and families, not a period of unnecessary staffing stress.
At KiddyKare Staff Solutions, we understand the challenges nursery managers face when it comes to finding reliable childcare staff.
Whether you need temporary cover over Christmas, support with unexpected absences or help finding permanent members of staff, our recruitment team is here to help.
Don’t leave your Christmas staffing arrangements until the last minute!
Get in touch with KiddyKare Staff Solutions today to discuss your December staffing requirements and let us help you get your nursery ready for the festive season.
Author: Jodi Walden
