Me & My Money: Regina Bushell, chief executive of Groveland Childcare Plus, a midlands childcare and early learning service

Post-Covid flexible work patterns are clashing with rigid creche hours and set fees

As walk-in test centre opens locals worry about being ‘left behind’ in any relaxation of restrictions

Perspex screens, pods and regular handwashing to be the norm in childcare settings

Parents are being asked to drop children off at entrances instead entering premises

Hundreds of creches must submit ‘essential’ documents if they are to reopen in new year

Many smaller facilities warn they may not meet mid-December deadline for documentation

Some services have warned of aftercare price hikes of up to 40% in new school year

Since the introduction of the Early Childhood Care and Education scheme, children are generally better prepared for the transition from pre-school to primary

Crèches struggling to fill vacancies to meet childcare needs of babies under two

Minister says firms must administer affordable childcare scheme until September 2019

Group says interim measure needed to prevent services being ‘forced out’ of sector due to excessive regulation

Opinion: People working in the sector are actually subsidising early childhood education and care