Hidden gems

Read our landmark report on the experiences of baby and toddler groups in England, published in June 2023.

September 2, 2025

In recent years, the early years sector has faced a multitude of challenges, most notably the Covid-19 pandemic and the cost-of-living crisis. While there is growing research on the effect of these challenges on nurseries, pre-schools and childminders, there is little information on how baby and toddler groups are faring, what issues they have been facing and how these can be remedied.

Our online survey was conducted between 2 to 16 March 2023 and received 272 responses.

Given the focus of the survey, all respondents worked, owned or volunteered at a baby and toddler group.

The majority of respondents were group leaders (47%), owners (19%), managers (8%), session leaders (10%), assistants or support staff (8%) and administrators (1%). Other respondents (6%) included chairpersons, apprentices and group coordinators.

76%

of respondents said that the costs associated with running their baby and toddler group had increased compared to the previous year.

21%

had been unable to cover the cost of running the group using the group’s income

28%

had had to increase fees in the last 12 months, with prices rising by, on average, 15%.

72%

said that recruiting volunteers and employees was a challenge.