Coventry City Council are set to launch a brand new childcare staff cover lists which will make it easier for nurseries, playgroups, crèches and out of school clubs to manage staff shortages.

The list, which will be officially launched on Wednesday 9 December, will contain the names and telephone numbers of more than 30 qualified and experienced childcare workers who are avaiable to cover sickness and holiday leave at venues all over the city at the drop of a hat.

Each and every childcare organisation in the city will have a copy of the list and any organisation needing to cover staff absence or sickness will just need to pick up the phone and contact someone on the list.

Councillor Mick Nolan Chair of the Economic Regeneration Policy Team said,

"The benefits of this list are twofold. One, it will help organisations throughout Coventry overcome their emergency staffing difficulties. And two, it will provide many local people with valuable employment opportunities which will for some, I’m sure, lead on to permanent employment."

The database of names will be updated every three months and will only hold the names and phone numbers of people who have provided contact details of two referees and who have been cleared by the police.

Amanda Grumbley, Nursery Manager at Koco Community Nursery in Spon End is convinced that the list will be a real winner and she said,

"I’ve often been in the difficult situation of having to cover unexpected staff absences and it can be a real nightmare because by law we have to have the right number of qualified adults to children. This list will be a great help and it will ease the burden on me and my staff."